Location: Junagadh, Gujarat.
Held In: February.
Duration: 5 Days.
Venue Of The Fair: Bhavnath Mahadev Temple.
The Bhavnath Mahadev Temple, situated at
the foot of Mount Girnar in the city of Junagadh is the
site of the Bhavnath Mahadev fair held for five days in
February, during the festival of Mahashivratri.
OBEISANCE TO LORD SHIVA: THE DESTROYER
The worship of Lord Shiva takes place at midnight in
this temple on the 14th day of the dark half of the
month of Magh, corresponding with the month of February.
When the 'puja' (prayer ceremony) starts, 'Naga Babas'
(naked sages) living nearby, move towards the fair seated
on elephants, holding flags and blowing conch shells.
It is firmly believed that Lord Shiva himself visits
the shrine on this occasion.
Girnar is said to be the abode of the nine
'Nathas' (lord and protector), who are immortal and eighty-four
'Siddhas' (spiritually elevated souls), all of whom also
visit the temple in their invisible spiritual bodies.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS:
Visitors are served free meals by the organizers. Special
stalls sell idols, rosaries or holy beads brought by
vendors from Ayodhya and Mathura, utensils of brass
and copper, sweets and fruits. The Bhavnath Mahadev
Temple is surrounded by many equally ancient and holy
places.
