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Girnar Lili Parikrama: the 36 km forest walk round Girnar
A sanctuary forest that opens once a year to a torchlit river of walkers
The Girnar Lili Parikrama is a pilgrimage walk of about 36 km around the Girnar massif near Junagadh in Gujarat, held once a year from Dev Uthani Ekadashi to Kartik Purnima. For these few days the forest department opens a circuit through the Girnar sanctuary, and several hundred thousand people walk it, much of it by night, fed for free by kitchens along the way. Dates: 20–24 November 2026 (expected); the district announces the opening of the forest gates a few weeks ahead.
The dates follow the lunar calendar; the Junagadh collectorate and the Gujarat Forest Department announce when the forest gates open a few weeks ahead, and bad weather can cancel the walk, as in 2025.
The legend
Legend says Krishna and the Pandavas with their companions were the first to walk round Girnar, and pilgrims follow in their footsteps.
The walk begins on Dev Uthani Ekadashi, when Vishnu is believed to wake from four months' sleep, as thanks to the gods held to gather on the mountain.
Lili means green: the route runs through forest. In these days the Navnaths, 64 yoginis and 330 million gods are believed to be present on Girnar.
Customs
36 km of forest
From Bhavnath at the foot of the hill pilgrims walk the forest road round the massif, often by night, returning to Bhavnath by Kartik Purnima.
Kitchens on the way
More than 250 food points along the route give pilgrims free meals and prasad.
Up the steps
After the circuit many climb the thousands of steps up Girnar to the Jain temples and the shrines of Amba Mata and Dattatreya.
Where to celebrate
Junagadh
Walk the 36-kilometre forest circuit round Girnar with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, much of it by night, through a sanctuary opened for these few days, with free kitchens along the way.
The route, leg by leg
The walk starts at the Dudheshwar temple at Bhavnath Taleti, the foot of Girnar about 5 km from Junagadh, where the route opens at midnight on the first night. The Junagadh Municipal Corporation splits the circuit into four legs. A forest hut on the way counts the walkers.
- Bhavnath to Zina Bava ni Madhi, 12 km
Over the Intwa ni Ghodi pass. Most pilgrims halt for the night at Zina Bava ni Madhi. The Chandra-Maulesheshwar temple there can only be entered with Forest Department permission.
- Zina Bava ni Madhi to Malvela, 8 km
Some walkers stop at Sarkhadiya Hanuman on the way; others go straight to Malvela.
- Malvela to Bordevi, 8 km
This leg includes the Nal-Pani ni Ghodi, the steepest climb of the circuit. The municipal corporation notes that most accidents happen here and that many older pilgrims find it hard.
- Bordevi back to Bhavnath, 8 km
The circuit closes at Bhavnath, where the fair goes on until the full moon.
Why pilgrims walk round Girnar
Girnar is sacred to both Hindus and Jains. On its slopes and peaks stand the Jain temples, the oldest of them to Neminath from the 12th century, the Amba Mata temple and the Dattatreya shrine on one of the summits. The parikrama, the walk around a holy place keeping it on one's right, begins on Dev Uthani Ekadashi, the eleventh lunar day of the bright half of Kartik. On this day Vishnu is believed to wake from four months of sleep, and the walk is held as thanks to the gods believed to gather on the mountain. Legend says Krishna and the Pandavas were the first to walk round Girnar.
Lili means green: the route runs through forest, the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, which is closed to walkers for the rest of the year. The municipal corporation gives the dates as Kartik Sud 11 to 15, that is, from the Ekadashi to the full moon, Kartik Purnima. Depending on the lunar calendar this comes out at four to six days, usually between late October and late November.
Before you walk
The parikrama is free, and so are the meals: more than 250 food points along the route serve pilgrims and hand out prasad.
- No plastic — Plastic is banned inside the sanctuary.
- Nights outdoors — Walkers sleep in the open or by the route kitchens. If that is not for you, keep a room in Junagadh and walk one section, for example the first leg from Bhavnath towards Zina Bava ni Madhi.
- The steep climb — Judge the Nal-Pani ni Ghodi honestly, especially with older relatives: it is the stretch where the municipal corporation reports most accidents.
- Weather can cancel it — The district has called the walk off for the public after unseasonal rain washed out the route. Watch for the official announcement before you travel.
Planning the trip
Junagadh is the base. Allow at least two nights, and about four if you mean to walk the whole circuit.
- Trains: 60 days ahead
Book trains to Junagadh the day sales open, 60 days ahead: the parikrama draws pilgrims in the hundreds of thousands.
- A room: a month ahead
Book a room in Junagadh about a month ahead and keep your plans flexible, since the exact opening is announced only a few weeks before.
- Arrive two days early
The forest department opens the route only for these days and controls numbers, so be in town before the first night.
The climb up Girnar
After the circuit many pilgrims climb the mountain itself. Gujarat Tourism counts about 10,000 stone steps to the summit and advises starting at dawn and keeping a full day for the upper temples. The Girnar ropeway, opened in 2020, runs about 2.3 km up to the Amba Mata temple and saves the first part of the climb.
Crowds on the opening night
The first night, when the whole route is walking by torchlight, is also the busiest. The UK Foreign Office notes that stampedes at some events with large crowds in India have caused deaths and injuries, and advises avoiding large gatherings, including at religious sites. Follow the instructions of the police and forest staff. More in our guide Is India safe.
FAQ
When is Girnar Parikrama?
Next: 20–24 November 2026 (expected), from Dev Uthani Ekadashi to Kartik Purnima. These dates are calculated from the lunar calendar; the Junagadh collectorate and the forest department confirm the opening a few weeks ahead.
How long is Girnar Parikrama?
About 36 km in four legs: Bhavnath to Zina Bava ni Madhi (12 km), on to Malvela (8 km), Bordevi (8 km) and back to Bhavnath (8 km). Most pilgrims halt overnight at Zina Bava ni Madhi.
Where does the parikrama start?
At the Dudheshwar temple at Bhavnath Taleti, at the foot of Girnar about 5 km from Junagadh. The route opens at midnight on the first night.
Does the parikrama cost anything?
No. The walk is free, and more than 250 food points along the route give pilgrims free meals and prasad.
How many steps are there on Girnar?
Gujarat Tourism gives about 10,000 stone steps to the summit. A ropeway runs up to the Amba Mata temple.
What is the best time to climb Girnar?
Gujarat Tourism advises starting at dawn and setting aside a full day to reach the upper temples.
Sources (4)
Facts checked: 21 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.