Junagadh: The centuries-old Girnar Lili Parikrama will be observed only in a symbolic form this year, after the district administration called off the annual 36-km pilgrimage for devotees due to heavy rainfall that has severely damaged the route.

To uphold the tradition and faith associated with the event, saints will perform a symbolic Parikrama at midnight on November 1 near the Parikrama gate. Religious rituals and offerings will be conducted as per custom, followed by a limited symbolic walk by saints on November 2 morning, accompanied by officials from the district administration, police, forest department, SDRF, and Doliwalas.

Announcing the decision, District Collector Anil Ranavasia said, “The Parikrama route has become severely damaged due to continuous rainfall, with mud, erosion, and broken steps. In such conditions, allowing large numbers of devotees would be unsafe.”

The decision to suspend the full Parikrama was taken after an on-site inspection and consultations with saints. Officials including Collector Ranavasia, DCF Akshay Joshi, SP Subodh Odedra, MP Rajesh Chudasama, MLA Sanjay Koradiya, and saints such as Indrabhartibapu and Maheshgiribapu inspected the route from Bordevi Checkpost on October 31. They found large stretches of the path filled with mud and debris, making it impassable even for vehicles.

Earlier, the district administration had urged devotees not to gather at the foothills of Girnar till October 31, following an IMD forecast predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall.

While the Parikrama itself stands cancelled, devotees who have already arrived in Junagadh will be allowed to offer prayers at Girnar and Bhavnath temples, though entry onto the Parikrama route will remain strictly prohibited.

Notably, in 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Parikrama was also held symbolically, with participation limited to around 400 saints and monks. DeshGujarat