Bhavnath Mahadev Temple Girnar,Junagadh,Gujarat
Bhavanath is a locality located in Junagadh city of Gujarat state, India. It is situated near the Girnar mountain range, near Girnar Taleti, from where pilgrims have to climb on foot to reach the temples located on the Girnar hills.
History
Bhavnath Mahadev Temple is a temple situated at the foothills of Girnar Mountain in Bhavnath village which is steeped in the myths and legends of the mythological era. It is said that Shivalinga had appeared here on its own with divine intention. Reportedly, when Shiva and Parvati were traveling on the Girnar hills, their divine robes fell on the present Mrigi Kund, making the place a sacred site for the worshipers of Lord Shiva. Even today, Naga Baavs [naked sadhus] take bath in the sacred Mrigi Kund before joining the Mahashivratri procession. This fair itself is so ancient that its exact origin is unknown.
There are two main annual festivals: Maha Shivratri and Girnar Lily Parikrama.
Bhavnath Mela is a five-day event in the month of February-March in the month of Magha of the Hindu calendar, which ends with the most auspicious worship of Lord Shiva at the midnight of Maha Shivaratri. In which hundreds of Naga Sadhus [naked sadhus] of the Dashanami sect participate, take a dip in the Mrigi Kund and offer prayers at the temple. People believe that Lord Shiva himself comes to the temple here on this holiest day. Before the fair, devotees circumambulate the sacred hills of Girnar. At this time Mewar, Millions of pilgrims from Kutch and Gujarat visit the temple, as well as foreign tourists, who are mesmerized by the rosaries and sacred idols sold at stalls by vendors from Ayodhya and Mathura and elsewhere, and by the Naga Sadhus’ practice of Hatha Yoga and such secret rituals. Don’t forget to watch the demonstration of practices. The whole place echoes with music and sound of auspicious conch shells, tungis and turis, Naga sadhus on elephants carrying Hindu religious flags in their hands, ahead of them is a decorated idol of Lord Dattatreya in a palanquin.
