Mahaabatkhan Mausoleum

The Scribbed history of the musoleam

Spectacular doms with Islamic architacture

Tombs still aligned

Upper part of the musoleum

The fantastic carvings

Carving at gates

The top part of a minaret

Musoleum in background of a minaret

The oblique view

One of the minaret, with spiral stairs

In view- part of Musoleum and a whole minaret

The front upper view

A vertical view of front

Darbaar Hall : The Junagadh Museum

The museum

The entrance

Archival photograph

Nawaab in childhood

The Darbaar hall

The Simhasan : Seat of Nawaab

Glass Decorations

Flag of Junagadh state

Sword with handles

Swords

Table knives

Guns

Showcase

A gallery

Pistol collection

Various hand-held arms

Barreled Guns

Cannon

Various Daggers

Palkhi (Boggies) & Caravans

Old architectural tresures of Junagadh city

Junagadh has been narrated with architactural art, which is a fusion of islamic, colonial, kathiawadi and portugese architecture. While on the walk aroud city one may often get such glimpses as shown here.

Dana pith (grain market)

Minarets of Jama mosque

Magnificent Balconies

Arc-gate at Circle chowk

The Jama mosque

Gate-arc near court compound

Tower-clock near Railway station

Old architectured buildings in row

Khapra-Kodiya (Buddhist) caves

The view of caves carved from a single stone

Nicely aligned residential sections

Hallway with fire-place pits

The passage between sections

Corridor

Steps to the now ruined second floor

Pillers of the ruined second floor still existing

Presenting : Girnar Sanctuary!!

All the Asiatic lion fans & conservationists, its party-time out here...

...'cause yesterday, Gujrat State Forest and Environment Dept. Secy Mr. S. K. Nanda has conveyed that the state govt. is committed for the conservation of Asiatic Lions. As to show the willingness isn't just a tiger (or lion!) of paper, the govt. has declared a package of Rs. 40 crore to develop the declared sanctuary area, a total of 180 sq km of Girnar Forest range as Girnar Sanctuary!

Earlier in 2004, govt. has also declared Mitiyala forest range as sanctuary area. Now sum-up with Girnar Sanctuary, the total sanctuary area for lions available will now increase to 1640 sq km!

It's notable here that, in fact earlier, the world-famous Gir forest was spreaded till Junagadh & was attached to Girnar range. With little bad-times in between, the two in question got separated due to human activities. Though, as response to good efforts of conservation in Gir, the number of lions shoot up day by day. Proving all the theories of ecological niche & survival, the lions came out to find suitable habitat themselves. With occasional conflicts to human interests, some of them has been settled very well in Girnar range in last some of the years. The decision of Govt. can thus be called wisely & timely taken for sure, raising hopes to nurture them better with yet another shelter after Gir.

Also, this is great help on issues of transferring (shifting) some of the lions outside Gir (to prevent inter-breeding, area-shortage & frequent conflicts among pride) to potentials like Baradaa hills (Porbandar dist.), Velavadar Sanctuary (Bhavnagar dist.) and others incl. well-disputed Kuno Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.

All in all, would be even greater help if govt. think & act over seriously, to create patches of sanctuaries nearby like this & create corridors for safe movements. After all, its seen here only, that lions & humans can live friendly!

Google Map showing Mount Girnar Range Forest area; On left, Junagadh city

also check : http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1164481

Mount Girnar Steps-Climbing Contest 2008 (courtesy : Paavan)

Originally posted at blog 'Historical Junagadh City' by Paavan. Interesting, must say !! click here to read full article: http://historicaljunagadh.blogspot.com/2008/05/junagadhsaurastra-girnar-mountain.html & who's won?!!! read it here.. http://historicaljunagadh.blogspot.com/2008/05/girnar-junagadhsaurastra-mountain.html So, keep your fingers crossed till next year... & three cheeres for the winners!!!