of , a height of , and bears inscriptions in Brāhmī script etched with an iron pen. The people of Junagadh celebrate both Western and Indian festivals. Diwali, Maha Shivaratri, Holi, Janmastami, Muharram, Navratri, Christmas, Good Friday, Dussera, Muharram, and Ganesh Chaturthi are some of the popular festivals in the city. The Shivaratri Mela is organized at the foot of Mount Girnar (Talati) in the month of Maha (9th day of the month of Maagha). The mela lasts for the next five days. About 500,000 people visit Junagadh on this occasion. The Girnar Parikrama is also organized annually. It starts in the month of Kartik and draws 1 to 1.5 million people. People walk the periphery of the Girnar Hills on foot (about ). Muharram is celebrated by Muslims. The sej, which belonged to the peers or gurus of the nawabs, has been taken out; and a fair has been organized. Apart from these religious and national festivals, Junagadh annually celebrates its accession to India on 9 November 1947 as the independence day of the city. 1 May is Gujarat day, to celebrate the formation of Gujarat state on 1 May 1960. Notable Bapu Velnath Thakor, Koli saint of 17th century from junagadh. See also Muhammad Junagarhi Girnar Gir Forest National Park Damodar Kund Radha Damodar Temple, Junagadh Baradiya References External links Former capital cities in India Saurashtra (region) Cities and towns in Junagadh district Territorial disputes of Pakistan