Bhavnath

Bhavnath is a small village in the Junagadh district of Gujarat, India. It sits near the Girnar mountain range. Bhavnath is a village related to many religion like Hindu, Jain, etc.

Bhavnath Mahadev Temple

Junagah - Girnar, Gujarat - India (3418386622)

History

The Bhavnath Mahadev temple is a shrine ensconced in myths and legends of the Puranic era, at the base of Mount Girnar. The Shiva linga here is said to have emerged of its own divine intention. Reportedly, when Shiva and Parvati were traveling over the Girnar Hills their divine garment fell over the present Mrigi Kund, making this place an auspicious site for lord Shiva worshippers. Even today, the naga bavas are known to bathe in the holy Mrigi Kund before joining the Mahashivaratri procession. The fair itself is so ancient that its precise origins are unknown.

Girnar Mountain

The Bhavnath Mahadev Temple is located in the Junagadh District which is in Gujarat State of India. Other attractions include Damodar Kund, Mrugi Kund, Sudarshan Talav.

There are two main annual festivals: Maha Shivaratri and Girnar Lili Parikrama. The Bhavnath fair is a five day occasion culminating with the most auspicious worship of God Shiva, at midnight of Maha Shivaratri, which is thronged by hundreds of Naga Sadhus, Dashanami Sampradaya, taking bath at Mrugi kund (tank). People believe that God Shiva himself visits the shrine on this holiest day. Devotees go around the holy hills of Girnar, before the fair. The whole place resounds with music and blowing of auspicious conch shells, tungis, and turis, with the Naga Sadhus on their elephants, holding Hindu religious flags in their hands, preceded by a decorated statue of Lord Dattatreya, in a palanquin. Lakhs of pilgrims from Mewar, Kutch and Gujarat visit the temple at this time, as also foreign tourists, enchanted by the rosaries and sacred statues sold on stalls, by sellers from Ayodhya and Mathura.