Kapra Kodia Caves in Junagadh in Gujarat

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

The Kapra Kodia Caves in Junagadh are located very close to the Uparkot Fort. Directions to the same are also tagged on google maps.

Kapra Kodia Caves in Junagadh in Gujarat

We accidently bumped into them as we were travelling to Edits of Ashoka.

We decided to pay it a visit.

Refer to this photo for more information on these caves

Information on Kapra Kodia Caves in Junagadh in Gujarat

Information on Kapra Kodia Caves in Junagadh in Gujarat

There is not one but many caves here.

Please note that there is no provision for food and water here and that this place is isolated.

Kapra Kodia Caves in Junagadh in Gujarat

As we entered the caves premises, we bumped into a group of boys, they had come there to do photography project, as most of them carried DSLR cameras with tripod and lighting. So I knew that we had company.

These are rock cut caves, as in a rocky hill was cut to make these caves.

Kapra Kodia Caves in Junagadh in Gujarat

They were not designed like the Buddhist Caves though.

They were also underground as in a series of narrow steps takes one downstairs to the caves.

Kapra Kodia Caves in Junagadh in Gujarat

The caves are free from graffiti.

Again the way the caves are structured, photography becomes a bit difficult as one finds it difficult to get the angles right.

We then headed over to see Edits of Ashoka.


NOTE: Please click on the highlighted words in the blog to read about them. 

Narsinh Mehta Lake in Junagadh in Gujarat

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Narsinh Mehta Lake was located very close to the city of Junagadh and it was around 25 minutes (walking distance) from where we were lodging.

Narsinh Mehta Lake in Junagadh in Gujarat

Directions to Narsinh Mehta Lake are tagged on google maps. We decided to sit near the lake enclosure and enjoy the view of the lake. As night started to seep in, the population of people increased and so did the hawkers around the lake premises. It was now a busy place.

We enjoyed the birds flying across the lake premises, we also saw the water ripple on the wind. Thanks to the continuous wind, it was quite pleasant. Felt relaxed after a busy day exploring Uparkot fort and Junagadh Zoo.

This is truly a good place to unwind after a hard day's work.

The time was 8 on my watch. It was dinner time, we didn't patronize the hawkers around the lake as we had a bigger mission to accomplish. we planned to eat a Veg. Thali (unlimited) at Patel Dining hall, around 10 minutes (walking) away.

Veg. Thali (unlimited) at Patel Dining hall in Junagadh in Gujarat

Everything except the sweet dish was unlimited. The cost of each thali was just Rs.100. Cost of additional sweet was extra. We ate and drank (Buttermilk) till we were full. Have to admit, though the food was veg it was finger licking good. See the photo of the veg thali we ate. Somehow  we managed to reach the hotel. I am sure we had over eaten. We decided to call it a night.

We were to visit the Junagadh Museum the next day. 


NOTE: Please click on the words in large font in the blog to read about them. 

Sakkarbaug Zoological Park, Junagadh in Gujarat

Monday, October 16, 2017

Sakkarbaug Zoological Park, Junagadh aka Sakkarbaug Zoo aka Junagadh Zoo is located around 8 KM away from the city of Junagadh. It was established in 1863 by the Babi Nawabs. It is located very close to the Gir forest.

Sakkarbaug Zoological Park

It is tagged on google maps,  after visiting Baba Pyare Caves near Uparkot Fort, we boarded a rickshaw to visit it. it cost us Rs.60. We paid Rs.40 for two to visit the zoo.

Now I have been to the Byculla Zoo in Mumbai, but this was nothing like it. I was amazed to see the different varieties of birds, animals and reptiles it housed. For a moment I decided to stop clicking photos and enjoying the zoo like a kid.  Fathima and me hung around each and every cage to get a good view of the birds. Have to admit, but the bird section was the nosiest. Each of the birds were chirping, I guess they were trying to communicate with themselves. That language was alien to us. Hehehe.

Birds in Cages at Sakkarbaug Zoological Park

We then headed to see the snakes, the snakes were kept in glass encloses and not cages else they would have been all over the place. The snake skin was so beautiful. That's all I have to say.

Next were the crocodile, there were so many of them, It looked like they were playing the game "statue" where in one acts like a statue. They were hardly moving.  Sadly there were no dare devils around us, else we could have seen the crocs in action. Just Kidding.

Next we paid a visit to the Deer and its extended family. We saw the Antelope, Chinkara, Blackbuck and the Blue Bull. They were quite happy in their enclosure. The way we looked at them, they too looked similarly at us. Like we were trying to make some kind of contact. But we just couldn't. Had Dr. Dolittle been there he would have surely communicated with the animals. Hehehe. 

I was amazed when I saw the lions and tigers, I have never seen them so close. they were huge and resting. I guess they had their lunch and were trying to get some sleep, and there were we and some more people who wanted them to pose for us in our photos. They didn't bother looking at us either. There is a stuffed toy tiger kept outside the cage, it was as huge as the ones within, it was kept so that people could pose with them and then narrate tales of how they managed to take a selfie with the tiger.

Tiger in Sakkarbaug Zoological Park

Eating and drinking within the zoo premises is not allowed. Feeding the animals is strictly prohibited. There are restrooms within the premises to freshen up.

Outside the Zoo premises, there are plenty of options for food and drinks (no hard drinks) We had a finger licking pav bhaji at a cost of Rs.60 bang opposite the Zoo entrance.

Pav Bhaji, we had outside the Sakkarbaug Zoological Park

We had visited Uparkot Fort and the Sakkarbaug Zoological Park, Junagadh and we were tired, so we decided to head back to the hotel. We decided to visit the Narsinh Mehta Lake in the evening. 


NOTE: Please click on the words in large font in the blog to read about them. 

Baba Pyare Caves near Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Baba Pyare Caves are located a couple of meters away from the Uparkot Fort in Junagadh. We decided to ask the locals and walk it out as they were close by.

Baba Pyare Caves near Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat 

Baba Pyare Caves near Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat 

The Caves are tagged on google maps, plus one can ask the locals for directions too, these caves are not deserted and locals have built their homes around them.

Baba Pyare Caves near Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

There used to be a small hillock where. the caves are carved out of the hillock. Most of the caves are identical. they had a verandah  leading to the cave within.

Looks like the local graffiti artists had been here, they have their names all over the caves.  What a shame.

Baba Pyare Caves near Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

The caves are not in very good condition. Due to the rains, the walls seem to have been eroded away. One thing worth mentioning is that there is a good drainage water management system around the cave premises.

Baba Pyare Caves near Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

Refer to this photo for more information on the caves.

Information on Baba Pyare Caves near Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

The good thing is that these caves have not been encroached upon by the locals.


NOTE: Please click on the words in large font in the blog to read about them. 

Navghan Kuvo in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

Thursday, October 12, 2017

The Navghan Kuvo is located a couple of meters away from the Adi Kadi Vav in the Uparkot fort premises in Junagadh.

Navghan Kuvo in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

Information on Navghan Kuvo in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

Refer to this photo to know about the history of this fort.

This Kuvo aka well was very differently designed compared to Adi Kadi Vav. It was equally deep as Adi Kadi Vav. But the access way was much different. A spiral staircase lead to the bottom of the square shaped well. The staircase had rooms on either side of it, with openings or should I say windows  near the well. The windows were carved out of the rock. These windows provided both fresh air and also light to the rooms within. As it was dark and it smelled of bats, we refrained from going to the bottom of the well.

Entrance to Navghan Kuvo in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

We also saw openings of equal size in the walls, it was meant for the pigeons. There were pigeons who were occupying some of them. This is the first time I have seen this. In its golden days, pigeons were used as a means of communication. Messages would be written on cloth and tied the feet of the pigeons and sent. Pigeons were like courier service in those days.

Pigeon Homes at Navghan Kuvo in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

Navghan Kuvo in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

As most of the attractions were done, we decided to head back to the main entrance. We also saw the water management facility on the fort. It is said that the city receives its water supply from here.

Water Management Facility at Uparkot Fort in Junagadh 

Access to certain Jarokha (balcony window in the fort premises) is restricted either due to no proper way to reach it or due to thick shrubs growing on the fort premises.

Jarokha in the Junagadh fort walls

After we exited the fort, we saw a board that read BabaPyare Caves.


NOTE: Please click on the words in large font in the blog to read about them. 

Adi Kadi Vav in Uparkot fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Adi Kadi Vav is a stepwell located near to the Buddhist Caves and Navghan Kuvo in Uparkot fort premises in Junagadh. The Vav, is located at one end of the fort. It is near the fort wall. There is a seat there which offers a fantastic view of the surrounding hill ranges and houses below.

Adi Kadi Vav in Uparkot fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

Information on Adi Kadi Vav in Uparkot fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

 The well was deep, with little water in it. But then standing there and looking down  gave us goose bumps. We were so scared that we might fall in the water. The wall near the Vav is not very high, so please be careful.

That's Fathima and me in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

Fortification of Junagadh fort in Gujarat

There are a series of steps that lead to the base of the Vav. Don't forget to look at the walls once you reach the bottom of the Vav. The pattern on the walls with the pigeons resting on it, the sunlight falling on the walls, make it appear even more beautiful. I couldn't stop myself from clicking photos of the walls.

Patterns on the walls, when getting down to the base of Adi Kadi Vav in Uparkot fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

Adi Kadi Vav in Uparkot fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

As the Vav, is not in use, there is litter filled in it. I wouldn't mind paying a entrance fee to see it, at least the money could have been used in the upkeep of the Vav.

Adi Kadi Vav in Uparkot fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

Trash in Adi Kadi Vav in Uparkot fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

There is provision for food and water here.

We then headed to see the Navghan Kuvo located a couple of meters away. 


NOTE: Please click on the words in large font in the blog to read about them. 

Buddhist Caves in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

Sunday, October 8, 2017

The Buddhist Caves are located in the Uparkot Fort premises in Junagadh.

Buddhist Caves in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

 Unlike the fort there is a entrance fee to see the Caves. "What is so special about these caves, that there is fee to see it?" is the question, I had in my mind. The ticket would provide me with some answers. We bought tickets at a cost of Rs.15 each for Indian citizen. The price is different for foreigners. There is also a QR code which is scanned by the person at the door when entering the cave premises.

Information on Buddhist Caves in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

To know more about these caves, please read this photo.

Buddhist Caves in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat are underground

I have been to Buddhist Caves in Maharashtra, but these were nothing like them. These caves are underground, now this is interesting. Three storey's underground, made it even more interesting. How did they manage to built these caves and why were they built underground? there was no one there who could answer this question. Certain portions of the caves have been worked upon to maintain the caves. No wonder there is a charge to see the caves.

Buddhist Caves in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

The caves were beautifully carved from within, entry is allowed to all the caves below. The resting places are also carved out of stone. Some of the pillars were symmetrical and that the common Buddhist Caves logo atop them.

Buddhist Caves in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

There are huge openings atop so that sufficient light can be provided to all the three levels below. 

Buddhist Caves in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

Buddhist Caves in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

Refer to this signboard for a little more info on the Buddhist Caves.

More Information on Buddhist Caves in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

There is no food or water available here.

Fathima and Me at Buddhist Caves in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

As we had already explore Jama Masjid, we then walked to the Adi Kadi Vav, a couple of meters away.


NOTE: Please click on the words in large font in the blog to read about them. 

Jama Masjid in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

Friday, October 6, 2017

After visiting the Neelam and Manek Guns which are pointed towards Jungadh city, we decided to visit the Jama Masjid located closeby.

Jama Masjid in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

Inside Jama Masjid in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

The Jama Masjid was  a old structure made of stone. Certain parts of it are painted white from within, the Pillars within it were in symmetry. It reminded me of the Qutub Minar complex around Delhi. It had a opening in the centre and one could access the top of with via a inbuilt staircase. The Masjid also had a small Jarokha (small balcony) in one of its walls. We sat there and felt refreshed with the cool breeze. No wonder everyone wanted to sit here. LOL.

Inside Jama Masjid in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

Jama Masjid in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

From the top, one gets a good view of the city of Junagadh, the Girnar Hill range, the temple situated atop the hill. Not sure about the purpose of the rooftop. Maybe it was in use then.

Jama Masjid in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

Jama Masjid in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

The minarets around the Masjid a very different from the ones I have seen so far.  Around the mosque are placed a Chhatri. Not sure as to whom it belongs as there were no signboards around. There were also unknown tombs around the Jama Masjid.

Girnar Hill from Jama Masjid in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

Jama Masjid in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

Jama Masjid in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh in Gujarat

There is provision for food and water here.

We then headed over to see the Buddhist Caves. 


NOTE: Please click on the words in large font in the blog to read about them.