Ashoka’s Rock Edicts in Junagadh
· Summer: (22°C-33°C) Very hot and dry
· Winter: (12°C-22°C) Mild and pleasant
· Monsoon: June to September. Moderate rainfall
Best time to visit:
October-March
Opening Time: 09:00 a.m.
Closing Time: : 06:00 p.m. (closes from 01:00 p.m. to 02:00 p.m.)
Weekly Holiday: Open 7 days a week.
Entry Fees for Indians
Adults: INR 5 per
Children:
N/A
Cameras: N/A
Video Camera: N/A
Entry Fees for Foreign Nationals
Adults:
INR 100 pe
Children:
N/A
Cameras:
N/A
Video Camera:
N/A
Ashoka, one of the greatest monarchs the world has ever seen, immortalized his act as a competent ruler and a peace-preacher through rock edicts that have been discovered across the Indian sub-continent. Junagadh’s Major Rock Edicts were the first to be discovered and continue to be the best in the lot.
A total of 14 edicts on a domed black granite rock in the Girnar Hills are engraved in Brahmi script and Pali language. These edicts echo the message of dharma, kindness, peace, purity, devotion, gratitude and harmony apart from the emperor’s disapproval of animal sacrifice and festival traditions.
The building housing the rock edicts is named ‘Ashok Shilalekh’ and attracts huge flocks of history-lovers. The rock also records the epigraphs from later rulers that provide the accounts of a lake called Sudarshan. The main edicts date back to the 3rd century BC and have been constantly defying the signs of ageing.
It is advisable to plan the right trip time properly to avoid scorching sun while climbing.
Connectivites
Road:
Accessible only by a tough climb of about 2 hours. The base has good road connectivity with the neighbouring towns and cities. It is recommended to start the trek early in the morning.
Railway:
The nearest railhead is Junagadh Railway Station (about 4 km. away) which has good connectivity with the cities like Ahmedabad and Rajkot. You can easily hire taxis and cabs from the station to reach the trek base.
Airway:
Keshod Domestic Airport (about 40 km. away) has limited connectivity. You can opt for the international airport at Ahmedabad (about 330 km. away) which offers excellent air travel services.