Junagadh: The Girnar Lili Parikrama, which draws lakhs of devotees every year, has been cancelled due to unseasonal rains. The incessant rainfall has severely damaged the Parikrama route, making it unsafe and inaccessible for devotees. Keeping the safety of pilgrims in mind, the district administration, along with saints and religious leaders, has decided to defer this year’s pilgrimage.

However, to preserve the sanctity of the religious tradition, a symbolic Parikrama will be performed by saints on the night of November 1.

Addressing the media, Junagadh District Collector said, “Today, along with saints, the local MLA, MP, and all officials, the route was inspected, and it is evident that the situation is very unfavorable. Therefore, it has been decided that the Parikrama, which is our tradition, will be held in a symbolic manner this time… I request everyone to keep the Parikrama symbolic this time, and those who had planned to visit are urged to avoid their plans this year and cooperate with the administration in managing the situation.”

Due to the recent unseasonal rains across the state, the 36-kilometre-long Parikrama route around Mount Girnar has turned muddy, raising serious concerns among the administration and saints. The Junagadh Collector announced that only saints will perform a symbolic Parikrama this year. The roads near Bordevi, considered the final and most significant halt on the route, have become so slippery that even walking has become difficult. The mud and slush have made it impossible for both pilgrims and vehicles to pass safely.

Akshay Joshi, DCF of the Girnar region, said in a statement that the Parikrama route, which passes through the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, had been fully prepared before the rains. However, continuous rainfall has caused severe erosion, washing away nearly 80 percent of the mud-paved portions of the route. As a result, vehicular movement has been completely prohibited within the sanctuary area.

About Girnar’s Lili Parikrama

Every year, the Lili Parikrama is held from Kartik Sud Ekadashi to Purnima (the full moon), attracting lakhs of devotees. This year, the event was scheduled from November 2 to 5. Pilgrims usually bathe in the sacred Damodar Kund, offer prayers to Lord Damodarji, visit Bhavnath Mahadev and Dudheswar Mahadev temples, and spend the night at the foothills of Girnar.

The 36-km pilgrimage includes four halts — the first after 12 km, followed by three more at 8-km intervals, with the final stop at Bhavnath. According to legend, Lord Krishna was the first to perform the circumambulation of Mount Girnar. It is widely believed that completing this Parikrama bestows the spiritual merit of seven lifetimes. DeshGujarat