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Khapra Khodiya Caves Khapra Khodiya Caves, also known as Khangar Mahal, are con- sidered to be the earliest monastic settlement in the area dat- ing back to 3rd-4th century B.C. during the emperor Ashoka’s rule. These are plainest of all caves with some scribbles and curves on wall Location: These caves are along the edge of the ancient Su- darshan Lake and little outside Uparkot Fort, Northerly. Purpose of Built: Caves were used by Bhikkus during Vassa period. After many years of use, they were abandoned because cracks within the caves let water seep into the living quarters, rendering them unstable. Many accounts say that after this, the monks left for Maharashtra, where they went on to carve many similar and more elaborate structures, one such exam- ple being, Karla Buddhist Caves. Architectural Analysis: The caves are carved out in an east-west longitudinal ridge. They are small in area. But the architecture of the water is unique, and the caves form an ‘L shaped’ residence. The Caves consist of multiple courtyards surrounded by pillars on all four sides which are two-three storey. Ample amount of light illuminates the space, almost contradicting the fact that it is a cave. In one of the quarters, pits were carved out in the floor, aligned in a row. The purpose of use remains mysterious. The water drainage system was worked out well in the cave, providing us with evidence of their great craftsman skills. However, the transition from open to private sector wasn’t very evident. The cells didn’t really looked like a living quater. Current Condition: Khapra Khodiya Caves were damaged by later quarrying, and now only the highest storey remains in good condition. 46
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SWAMINARAYAN TEMPLE 50
Located on Jawahar Road in Junagadh, Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a revered Hindu temple, dedicated to Lord Swa- minrayan- a Hindu saint, yogi, ascetic and founder of Swami- narayan Sampraday which is a religious sect. The temple was ordered to be built by Lord Swaminarayan himself, wherein, the land for this shrine was gifted by King Hemantsinh. The foundation stone for the temple was laid by the hands of Gu- natinand Swami in the presence of Gopalanand Swami and other prominent paramhansas ( enlightened spiritual Hindu saint) on May 10, 1826 A.D. The construction of this temple was supervised by Brahmanand Swami. Taking into consideration the socio- religious landscape of Junagadh, Maharaj decided to appoint Gunatitanand Swami as the mahant (religious and administrative head) due to his leadership abilities and experience, and thereafter he served as a mahant of Junagadh mandir for 40 years. It was during this time that Swami met his eventual successor Bhagatji Ma- haraj. The prana pratishta (or installation of the deities, lasted for two full days with the festivities of the auspicious events. On May 1, 1828 A.D., Lord Swaminarayan himself installed Shri Ranchhodrai and Trikamrai in the inner sanctum. In the east- ern wing, he installed Radharaman and Harikrishna Maharaj and in the western side he installed Siddheshwar Mahadev, Parvati, Ganesha and Nandishwar. The Mughal Subba Bahadur Khan paid a personal visit to the place on this occasion. 51
SARDAR PATEL GATE Foundation stone of Jetalsar-Junagadh Railway Line was laid by Lord Ray, governor of Bombay on 11th De- cember 1886. First train entered Junagadh Railway Station on 19th January 1888. To commemorate this event a gate with clock tower was built in front of Jun- agadh Railway Station and named “Lord Ray Gate”. This Gate is now known as Station Gate or Saradar Gate. 52
MAJEWADI GATE Majevadi Gate is a gate of what used to be the medieval fortifications of Junagadh. The gate is a nice example of Indo-Islamic architecture, espe- cially in the upper balcony of the gate with its lobed arches, highly dec- orative bracketed cornices and floral patterns decorating the columns of the bay windows. There’s a single arched entrance, big enough to fit a truck. The entrance has doors fitted with large nails pointing outwards, testimony to the defense against the use of elephants to ram the doors. The gate has clearly been refurbished recently and is painted in a fetch- ing pink and beige. The Majevadi Gate, had a wooden door with nails on them, may be it was used to hold back the elephants when they forcefully tried to enter the city premises. The structure had Majevadi Gate written atop it. It also had a jarokha (balcony) atop the Main Door. This gigantic Darwaja holds importance as a useful wall protection to save it’s city from its enemies. In the inner side, elephants were tied, and the outer wooden doors had long sharp nails to restrict the movement of in- vaders. 53
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Narsinh Mehta No Choro 68
Narsinh Mehta is well known all of Lord Krishna and Radha. He used over India as a bhakta-poet. His to visit Damodar Kund early in the devotional bhajans are sung to this morning singing his poems (prabha- day-mostly in Gujarat and Saurash- tiya). The famous bhajan, “Vaishnav- tra- since he wrote them in Gujarati. jan Toh Tene Kahiye Je….”, favourite He was born in a Nagar Brahmin bhajan of Mahatma Gandhi was family, in Talaja, a village near Jun- written by Narsinh Mehta. agadh in 1414. He was either born dumb, or had a speech disorder. This place is said to be one where Narsinh Mehta No Choro is consid- Narsinh Mehta held his assemblies ered to be the place where great of discoveries in 15th century. Some devotee poet and saint Narsinh believed that Lord Kishna held tra- Mehta had seen the paradise and ditional “Raasleela” dance over here Raas (dance) of Lord Krishna with for his beloved devotee. Radha. As he used to visit houses of untouchables- Harijans, to sing his bhajans, his community members boycotted him from the community. It is said that he had real vision of Lord Shiva, who took him to Vai- kunth and showed him Raas Leela 69
CIRCLE CHOWK Circle chowk also known as circle bazaar in old times is one of part of old palace complex comprising of shops on lower and upper level serv- ing as a gate to the bazaar or market of olden times, which includes shops for grains and general stores to basic fab- ric market and healt care shops. The old structures have shops on the low- er level and residence and godowns on the upper level. There are narrow streets perpendicular to the main streets leading to the staircases to the terraces of some shops.
The market for now has been spread out in major 3 streets as shown in diagrams. This circle is generally crowded with people and vehicles during peak hours and showcases a marvalleous clock tower gate as its centre of attraction, the gate is less maintained and now most of the shops has been renovated. Most part of the complex is been destroyed and some remains unused, while some in ruins. 71
DIWAN CHOWK Diwan Chowk situated on the southern side of Circle Chowk and surrounded by the City Palace, Aayna Ma- hal, Museum and the other majestic Royal buildings still reflect the past glory. If Circle Chowk symbolises the civic life, trade and commerce of Junagadh, this square bears the stamp of monarchy. It is an important civ- ic space of the town. When the last Nawab of Mahobat Khan left Junagadh, the whole property was taken over by the regional commissioner of Rajkot in place of the Government of India on 9th November, 1947 and from then Junagadh city has come into existence after 1949.
Earlier, the fort was the first museum showcasing the wealth of Nawabs and power of Junagadh, and later it was shifted to other place. The building is nearly 200-250 years old and was build by English- men commissioned by Nawabs of Junagadh. It is a load bearing structure, constructed in stone ashlar masonary with jack arch slab and classical style or- namented windows, with sill and lintel bands. The window has tinted glass, detailed cast iron jalis and or- namented keystones with motifs of leaves and flowers. The building facing the fort is an administrative build- ing where Nawabs would call their meetings and residence for other important administrative of- ficials. Currently, a part of this complex is used as bank and police office, while the main door to the complex remains closed and other parts in ruins. 73
TRANSFORMATION OF DIWAN CHOWK 74
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tomb of babi kings
Unknown even to many locals, this abandoned and half-overgrown cemetery at the edge of the old town contains the tombs of the Babi nawabs of Junaga- dh and their family members. While many sites are just simple headstones, some are ornate mausoleums through which tree branches and weeds now grow. It’s a melancholy place and you’ll likely have it to yourself (apart from the occasional group of neighbourhood children playing hide and seek among the graves). The most important tombs here are those of Sher Khan Salabat Khan (1248–58), who was the first Babi nawab, and Mahabat Khan I (1758–75), the second Babi nawab. Some of the locals believe that women should not enter the complex, also people should not visit here after sunset due to some paranormal activity .You’ll probably need to ask people in nearby shops to show you the entrance gate. 77
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Bugda School Bugda school is a single storey building consisting of a vaulted roof structure, just behind Sardar Gate at the opposite side of Railway station. At the time of partition, it was used as a refugee stay home, however, thereafter it gott converted into a government based playschool for kids pursing education of around 3-5 age group. The school remained unbiased and served education to all kids, irrespective of gender or religion. However, it was closed after 25 years of its service. The building has rectangular plan with intricately carved stone walls, that gives the building an essence of colonial era. There are five vaults that span on shorter length out of which the ones on the extreme ends are shorter than the ones in the middle. There are two vaults that span on a longer length on either side of building. At present, out of five vaulted structures, one of it serves as a hospital, and other one serves as a family court. 80
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DURBAR HALL MUSUEM Of all the tourist attractions in Junagadh, the museums display a lot of the relics within the territory of walls and buildings and people with interest in histor- ical happenings, can savor a taste of the same with utmost gusto. It provides visitors ample opportunities to go through the antics, historical manuscripts, and archeological remains all under one roof. History: The Darbar Hall Museum has been a courthouse in the times of the Nawabs- where all court cases used to be put up to be fought for or against. Part of the old city palace, the court was later converted into a museum, preserving the tokens and mementos which speaks of the grandeur and glory of the past ages of Nawabs and Sultans. Attractions: Weapons, arms, war items, gold and silver items, jewelry, paintings on big as well as small canvases, palanquins, howdahs adorn the Museum.Rich ornamental car- pets, intricately designed silver thrones, beautiful chandeliers speak of the tastes of the then Nawabs of Junagadh. One of the most precious possessions of Muse- um, is the silver plated howdah decorated most ostensibly with silver mermaids at four corners and a tiger made out of silver posing to protect the rich velvet seats. 82
Out of two museums in Junagadh, The Darbar Hall museum is more popular one and houses a varied range of items and memorabilia which gives us the image of Nawab’s era and an insight into the ways of life and different instruments used during that period. and Corinthian order of columns, jack arches, segmental arches with emphasized keystones etc. One of the carpets here is the pride of the Nawabi era as it was woven in the Junagadh jail by inmates. Weapons like Nepalese kukris, shields made out of turtle shells, various daggers, sabers comprise the arms section of the museum.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY • http://www.tourismgujarat.com • https://en.wikipedia.org • http://www.jainglory.com • https://www.gujarattourism.com • http://www.jainglory.com • https://junagadhlive.wordpress.com • https://www.indianholiday.com • https://www.tourmyindia.com • https://aapdujunagadh.com • atleasobscura.com/places/mahabat-maqbara • theindia.co.in/places/tomb-of-bahar-ud-din-bhar • trawel.co.in/city/junaghad/muchkund-cave-junagadh • timesofindia.com 88
- DEEPA SAMPAT 17BAR023 -VIKRANT BHAGWANI 17BAR041 -JAYSON CHAVDA 17BAR043 -MEET CHAVDA 17BAR044 -MITI DOSHI 17BAR050 -ISHA GHORAWAT 17BAR054 -SALONI SHAH 17BAR072 -VIDHI TRIVEDI 17BAR079 89
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