Mrigi Kund, Bhavnath
Junagadh, Gujarat · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
At the wooded foot of Mount Girnar, a short drive from the pilgrim town of Junagadh, Mrigi Kund is a sacred stepped bathing tank that sits beside the ancient Bhavnath Mahadev temple. Fed by the springs and streams that drain Gujarat's highest peak, the squarish kund is ringed by worn stone steps and small shrines, its still green water reflecting the towering ridgeline of Girnar above. For most of the year it is a quiet, contemplative spot where pilgrims pause to bathe, offer prayers and rest before or after the long climb up the mountain's thousands of steps.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Pure-veg Gujarati–Kathiyawadi thali eateries at Girnar Taleti and Bhavnath (temple base)
- ✦Trust-run pure-veg bhojanalaya / annakshetra serving free prasad near Bhavnath, especially during the fair
- ✦Pure-veg thali houses and farsan shops in Junagadh town
- ✦Vegetarian chai and snack stalls along the Bhavnath approach road
About
At the wooded foot of Mount Girnar, a short drive from the pilgrim town of Junagadh, Mrigi Kund is a sacred stepped bathing tank that sits beside the ancient Bhavnath Mahadev temple.
- Fed by the springs and streams that drain Gujarat's highest peak, the squarish kund is ringed by worn stone steps and small shrines, its still green water reflecting the towering ridgeline of Girnar above.
- For most of the year it is a quiet, contemplative spot where pilgrims pause to bathe, offer prayers and rest before or after the long climb up the mountain's thousands of steps.
- The kund comes vividly to life during the Bhavnath Mela, the great fair held around Maha Shivratri (usually February or March), when Junagadh's Girnar Taleti fills with sadhus, ascetics and devotees from across India.
- The tank is most closely associated with the Naga sadhus — renunciate ascetics of the akhadas — who traditionally take a ritual dip in Mrigi Kund before setting out in a ceremonial procession to the Bhavnath temple on the night of Shivratri.
- Conch shells, drums and chanting accompany the gathering, and the kund becomes the sacred heart of one of Saurashtra's most atmospheric religious fairs.
- Beyond the mela, Mrigi Kund rewards a calm, respectful visit.
- The setting — forested slopes, temple bells, and the sheer granite mass of Girnar rising behind — is genuinely striking, and early-morning light makes it a fine spot for quiet photography.
- It pairs naturally with the Girnar Taleti temples and the long pilgrim staircase, and as a day trip from Somnath (around 85 km) it slots neatly into a Junagadh–Girnar circuit.
- Dress modestly, remove footwear near the shrines, and take care not to disturb bathers or ascetics.
- For food, stay pure-vegetarian and local.
- Girnar Taleti and Bhavnath have simple vegetarian eateries and trust-run bhojanalayas serving unlimited Gujarati–Kathiyawadi thalis, rotla, shaak and chaas, while several ashrams and community kitchens offer free pure-veg prasad during the fair.
- In Junagadh town, a short drive away, you will find pure-veg thali houses, farsan shops and chai stalls.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Bhavnath, Girnar Taleti, near Bhavnath Mahadev Temple, Junagadh, Gujarat, 362001
How to Reach: Located at Girnar Taleti at the foot of Mount Girnar, about 6 km east of Junagadh city. From Somnath it is roughly 85 km (around 2 hours by road) via Veraval and Junagadh, making it an easy day trip; Junagadh has the nearest railway station and bus stand, with local taxis and autos running to Bhavnath.
More places in Junagadh
- Girnar Parvat & the Great Step ClimbGujarat's tallest peak near Junagadh, climbed by roughly 9,900 stone steps past Jain and Hindu shrines to five sacred summits.
- Girnar Ropeway (Udankhatola)One of Asia's longest passenger aerial ropeways, gliding pilgrims from Girnar's base to the Ambaji plateau in minutes above the Gir forest.
- Neminath Jain Temple (Girnar)The principal Jain shrine on Girnar hill, dedicated to Neminath, the 22nd Tirthankara — a supremely revered Jain nirvana-tirth reached by a long climb of stone steps above Junagadh.
- Ambaji Mata Temple (Girnar)A revered Amba Mata Shakti shrine high on the Girnar heights above Junagadh, the first major Hindu temple reached on the long summit-stairway pilgrimage.
- Uparkot FortAncient hilltop citadel above Junagadh with rock-cut stepwells, Buddhist caves and old cannons, dramatically restored beneath Girnar's peaks.
- Vastupal-Tejpal & Mallinath Jain TemplesA cluster of intricately carved 13th-century Svetambara Jain derasars on the Girnar plateau, endowed by the ministers Vastupal and Tejpal.
- Gorakhnath Peak & TempleThe highest summit of Girnar (about 1,031 m), crowned by a Nath-sampradaya shrine to Guru Gorakhnath, reached by a long stone stairway with sweeping Saurashtra views.
- Guru Dattatreya Peak & ShrineA white hilltop shrine on Girnar's farthest summit enshrining Guru Dattatreya's sacred footprints, reached by a near-10,000-step climb.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mrigi Kund at Bhavnath known for?
Mrigi Kund is a sacred stepped bathing tank at the foot of Girnar, beside the Bhavnath Mahadev temple. It is best known for the ritual dip taken by Naga sadhus during the Bhavnath Mela around Maha Shivratri, before they process to the temple.
When do the Naga sadhus bathe at Mrigi Kund?
The Naga sadhus traditionally take their ceremonial dip at Mrigi Kund during the Bhavnath Mela, held around Maha Shivratri (usually February or March), followed by a procession to the Bhavnath Mahadev temple on Shivratri night.
How far is Mrigi Kund from Somnath?
It is about 85 km from Somnath, roughly a two-hour drive via Veraval and Junagadh. It makes a comfortable day trip and pairs well with the Girnar Taleti temples and Uparkot Fort in Junagadh.
Is there an entry fee to visit Mrigi Kund?
No, there is no entry fee. Mrigi Kund and the adjacent Bhavnath Mahadev temple are free to visit; please dress modestly and remove footwear near the shrines.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Mrigi Kund?
Girnar Taleti and Bhavnath have simple pure-veg eateries and trust-run bhojanalayas serving unlimited Gujarati–Kathiyawadi thalis, rotla and chaas, plus free prasad during the fair. Junagadh town, a short drive away, offers more pure-veg thali houses and farsan shops.