Narsinh Mehta no Choro
Junagadh, Gujarat · monument
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Tucked into the old quarters of Junagadh, at the foot of the sacred Girnar hills, Narsinh Mehta no Choro is a modest open courtyard freighted with an outsized place in Gujarat's cultural memory. This is the spot where Narsinh Mehta (c. 1414–1481) — the revered Vaishnav poet-saint honoured as the Adi Kavi, or "first poet," of Gujarati literature — is traditionally believed to have gathered his companions for satsang, kirtan and the singing of the bhajans that would outlive him by six centuries. The word "choro" means a communal courtyard or meeting place, and it is in exactly this humble register that the site speaks: no soaring gopuram, no ornate gateway, simply a shaded platform, a small shrine, and the weight of association.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Pure-veg Gujarati and Kathiyawadi thali houses near Kalwa Chowk, Junagadh
- ✦Pure-veg farsan shops serving khaman, fafda and jalebi in the old town
- ✦Satvik temple-side bhojanalayas along the Girnar route
- ✦Pure-veg snack and chai stalls near Junagadh railway station
About
Tucked into the old quarters of Junagadh, at the foot of the sacred Girnar hills, Narsinh Mehta no Choro is a modest open courtyard freighted with an outsized place in Gujarat's cultural memory.
- This is the spot where Narsinh Mehta (c.
- 1414–1481) — the revered Vaishnav poet-saint honoured as the Adi Kavi, or "first poet," of Gujarati literature — is traditionally believed to have gathered his companions for satsang, kirtan and the singing of the bhajans that would outlive him by six centuries.
- The word "choro" means a communal courtyard or meeting place, and it is in exactly this humble register that the site speaks: no soaring gopuram, no ornate gateway, simply a shaded platform, a small shrine, and the weight of association.
- Narsinh Mehta occupies a singular position in the region's devotional and literary tradition.
- His most famous composition, "Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye," became Mahatma Gandhi's most cherished bhajan and remains a touchstone of Indian devotional music, defining the true devotee as one who feels the pain of others.
- Legends of the poet's life — his defiance of caste barriers to sing among all communities, his unwavering faith through poverty and social ostracism — cluster around this courtyard, which pilgrims and literature lovers visit as a place of quiet homage rather than grand spectacle.
- A shrine and images associated with the saint mark the spot, and devotional gatherings are still held here.
- For the traveller working through the Somnath circuit, the Choro pairs naturally with Junagadh's other landmarks — Uparkot Fort, the Ashokan rock edicts and the Girnar temple trail — as a short, contemplative stop.
- It rewards those who arrive knowing the story; approach it as a pilgrimage of memory.
- Early morning or late afternoon are the gentlest times, when the courtyard is calm and the light soft.
- For food, Junagadh's pilgrim belt is generously pure-vegetarian.
- Look for the pure-veg Gujarati and Kathiyawadi thali houses near the Kalwa Chowk and railway-station area, where unlimited thalis of rotli, shaak, dal, kadhi and rice are served, alongside simple pure-veg farsan shops for khaman, fafda and jalebi.
- Temple-side bhojanalayas offer clean, satvik meals, and Girnar-route stalls serve hot chai and vegetarian snacks for pilgrims.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Narsinh Mehta no Choro, near Kalwa Chowk, Junagadh old town, Junagadh, Gujarat, 362001
How to Reach: Junagadh is about 85 km north of Somnath (roughly 2 hours by road). The Choro sits in the old town near Kalwa Chowk, a short auto-rickshaw ride from Junagadh Junction railway station and the state bus stand. Regular buses and trains connect Junagadh with Somnath, Veraval, Rajkot and Ahmedabad; the nearest airports are Keshod (about 40 km) and Rajkot (about 100 km).
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
Who was Narsinh Mehta and why is this courtyard important?
Narsinh Mehta (c. 1414–1481) was a Vaishnav poet-saint honoured as the Adi Kavi, or first poet, of Gujarati literature. This courtyard in Junagadh is traditionally believed to be where he held satsang and sang his bhajans, including the famous 'Vaishnav Jan To,' making it a place of cultural and devotional pilgrimage.
Is there an entry fee to visit Narsinh Mehta no Choro?
No, the Choro is a free, open heritage site. It is best experienced as a short, contemplative stop, ideally in the early morning or late afternoon when the courtyard is quiet.
How do I get to Narsinh Mehta no Choro from Somnath?
Junagadh is about 85 km (roughly 2 hours by road) north of Somnath. Regular buses and trains connect the two towns. Once in Junagadh, the Choro is a short auto-rickshaw ride from the railway station, located in the old town near Kalwa Chowk.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Narsinh Mehta no Choro?
Junagadh's old town around Kalwa Chowk has several pure-vegetarian Gujarati and Kathiyawadi thali houses serving unlimited thalis, plus pure-veg farsan shops for khaman, fafda and jalebi. Satvik bhojanalayas along the Girnar route and pure-veg snack stalls near the station are also good options.
What else can I see near Narsinh Mehta no Choro in Junagadh?
The Choro pairs well with Junagadh's other landmarks: Uparkot Fort, the ancient Ashokan rock edicts, and the sacred Girnar hill temple trail. Together they make Junagadh a rewarding day-trip excursion from the Somnath circuit.