Junagadh: SRP companies, DySPs, Police Inspectors, ISOs, nearly 1,000 police men, women police traffic police, home guards, Gramya Rakshak Dal(GRD) jawans will be deployed for bandobast of annual Girnar Lili Parikrama this year which is to begin from Monday, November 19 with a midnight shot of fire in the air as per tradition.

Five days long parikrama includes three halts in forest area of Girnar hill. 10 government departments are involved in efforts to make Lili Parikrama event successful.

Total route of Parikrama covers 36 km distance. Annakshetras will serve food to pilgrims while parabs will offer water.

140 extra state transport(GSRTC) buses are to be put on roads to carry the pilgrims. 40 mini buses are to be put on roads to carry pilgrims from Junagadh to Girnar. Three extra trains are to be operated in connection with parikrama. Three other trains are to have extra coaches.

Volunteers of Junagadh based Prakruti Mitra organisation are to offer free textile bags in exchange of plastic bags to pilgrims in order to prevent plastic dumping and pollution in forest area.

3 teams of trackers will keep vigil over yatra route. 150 forest department staff will also be on duty on Parikrama route. District administration is not allowing advance parikrama for last few years. Hundreds of pilgrims have already arrived at Girnar taleti to start parikrama early. They are waiting for forest department nod to enter the forest.

After its beginning near Rupayatan, parikrama pilgrims will halt at Jinabava Madhi first, later on the second day they will take halt at Sarkadia Hanuman, third halt will be at Bordevi. Points for parking of vehicles for parikrama pilgrims have been finalised.

Around one million Hindus take part in Girnar’s annual Lili Parikrama(Green pradakshina or circumlocution) which begins on Kartik 11 to 15 every year as per Gujarati calendar.

Girnar, the tallest mountain of Gujarat is located 6 km. away from Junagadh city.

According to popular belief, after winning the war at Kurukshetra, Pandavas had done the parikarma to seek God’s blessings.

As the stretch of the Parikrama passes through the forest, it is an adventurous trip for the youngsters. After the rainfall, the ponds and rivers are full of water adding to the scenic beauty of the forest and hills.Youngsters see it as solving a dual purpose. They complete a ritual as they enjoy the beauty of Gir forest.

This year, due to lack of rain in last monsoon, making arrangements for proper drinking water supply on parikrama route is challenge for the administration.

DeshGujarat