Nilgiri Langur – This photo was taken at Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh (Gujarat)
Distribution: Madras, Mysore, and Kerala from the Kanyakumari hills on the southern tip of India.
Food: Flowers, Fruits, Buds, Seeds, Bark, Stems, and Insects, prefers to eat tender leaves.
Habitat: The Nilgiri Hills of the Western Ghats in South India.
Features: The primate has glossy black fur on its body and golden brown fur on its head. It lives in troops of 5 to 15 monkeys.
(Source: Display Board)
Precautions to Prevent Snakebites and Cure – This photo was taken at Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh (Gujarat).
Myths About Snakes – This photo was taken at Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh (Gujarat).
Snake in General and its Features – This photo was taken at Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh (Gujarat).
Ashoka‘s inscriptions, Junagadh
3rd century BC The rule of Maurya Emperor Ashoka was established in the Saurashtra region in 1500 BC, its authenticity is found in the famous 14 inscriptions of Junagadh and Girnar. Ashoka the Great (273-232 BC) got 14 of his inscriptions engraved on a large stone block located at the foothills of Girnar (Ujrajyant) hill. Apart from these inscriptions, inscriptions of two other great rulers of ancient Indian history – Mahakshatrapa Rudradaman (130-150 AD) and Skandagupta (455-467 AD) are engraved on this rock. All these records were discovered by Tod in 1822.
These 14 inscriptions of Ashoka, engraved in the Western dialect, probably ‘Ujjayini’ and in Brahmi script, include prohibition of killing animals, providing medical facilities to humans and animals, respect for parents, adherence to frugality in living, respect for living beings, Adherence to Rajdharma of kindness, etc., transparency in public works; The focus of each community is related to prohibition of extremism, giving importance to elders and religious pilgrimage over hunting etc., courtesy towards elders, adherence to morality for living, renunciation of attachment, restraint on speech, adherence to the policy of forgiveness etc. are various royal decrees.
In both later inscriptions, local officials of the reign of Chandragupta Maurya (323-295 BC) and Ashoka, the Vaishya Pushyagupta and Suvishakha, and the provincial governor, Parnadatta and his son Chakrapalita, during the reign of Skandagupta, on the Suvarna-Sukta and Plasini rivers there is a description of the history of the creation of Sudarshan Lake by building a dam, the damage caused to it after the flood and its revival.
Archaeological Survey of India
Vadodara Division
(Hindi to English Translation by Google Translate)
During the visit to Bhavnath Fair 2015, we saw approx. one km before on the right-hand side, Ashok ke Shilalekh. We visited but were told by a caretaker – it is closed temporarily because of some restoration work.
No problem. It is always next time. And I read the ticket charges as below:
Rs. 5 per head is the ticket charge. Rs. 25/- for filming charges.
(Ticket exempted for children below 15)
17th February 2015 was Mahashivaratri. Bhavnath Fair is held on this day at Girnar Taleti and Mahashivaratri procession during night hours when hundreds of Naga baba take a dip in the holy Mrigi Kund.
On 16th February, we reached Rajkot by train because train tickets till Junagadh were not available. After refreshing ourselves in the Waiting Room at Rajkot Railway Station, we continued our journey to Junagadh – two hours journey by another train in the general compartment. Train fare – Rs. 25/- per person.
Junagadh railway station to Girnar Taleti is approx. 4 km distance. Auto is available outside the station and charges Rs.10/15 per person.
On Mahashivaratri day during morning hours, we visited Bhavnath Mahadev temple to offer prayers and walk around Bhavnath Taleti to watch a fair where Naga Babas are present inside their makeshift tent. A Naga baba lying on thorny branches, and another Naga baba laden with 11,00 rudraksha beads, and another Naga baba standing on one leg for the past 7 years, and many more… There was a huge rush of Naga Baba devotees during the fair even in day time.
During the night hours at 8 pm, we reached Taleti again, but this time there was a police barricade at the main Taleti entrance, so we had to walk approx. 3 km to reach the nearby Bhavnath Mahadev temple to watch the Mahashivaratri procession.
It was crowded. A local said 6 lacs devotees, from various cities, towns, and villages, visited to attend the fair. I was able to pass via a few thousand people only to capture photos of the Mahashivaratri procession. Further to the Bhavnath temple visit was impossible because of devotees, procession, and crowds in huge numbers watching. Anyway, I was happy at least I visited the fair during the day and night time – wish fulfilled. Because of the short trip days, I was unable to climb Girnar mountain, but yes, the wish is – maybe during Girnar yatra, after the Diwali festival, I will try to visit again.
The weather was somewhat warm even in the month of February in Junagadh. Auto service is very good, and even during late-night hours to return to city autos were available. One should attend a fair at least once.
Bhavnath Fair rewinds memory of when I visited Kumbh Mela in Allahabad in the year 2013.
Sadhu Smoking Chillum – This photo was taken at the Bhavnath Fair (2015) in Junagadh, Gujarat.
(Smoking is injurious to Health)
Naga Baba and Devotees – This photo was taken at the Bhavnath Fair (2015) in Junagadh (Gujarat).
Naga Baba Lying on Thorny Branches – This photo was taken at Bhavnath Fair (2015) in Junagadh (Gujarat).