Mahashivratri - Procession of Naga babas - Bhavnath Temple

Lakhs have thronged Junagadh to attend its famous five day Bhavnath fair which ends on Shivratri with the procession of Naga Babas.These saints are followers of Nag cult and live in thick forests or cave in mountains and hills.

They appear in public only once in a year.This is to attend the procession in the foot of the hill known as Mt. Girnar.The saints live completely bare and are said to possess super natural powers.

These naga babas bathe in a kund here and it is said that even the Lord Shiva comes to bath in the form of Naga baba.The festival ends with the mass bath of bare babas here.

Lots of foreigners attracted by the tales of the supernatural power visit Mt.Girnar.

This year over ten lakh people have visited the fair which is to end tonight. District administration has made special arrangements for the devotees.This place is very near Somnath temple, one of the 12 jyotirlingas of the Lord Shiva.

Though Shivratri is celebrated at Somnath at a big scale, the charm of five day fair shadows events at Somnath temple.The importance of Somnath can be realized from the fact that traditionally, the travel of 12 jyotirlingas start from Somnath Mandir.This is the first Jyotirlinga in the travel circuit.