Over 200 Devotees Participate In 65 Year Old Dudhdhara Parikrama Tradition At Girnar In Junagadh
Junagadh: More than 200 devotees took part in the annual Dudhdhara Parikrama around Girnar on the auspicious day of Yogini Ekadashi, continuing a spiritual tradition that has remained unbroken for over 65 years. As part of the ritual, pilgrims carried vessels filled with milk and performed a symbolic 36-kilometer pilgrimage, pouring milk along the route as a form of offering and prayer.
The tradition began more than six decades ago with the permission of Bhagwati Bapu, and is currently led by his disciple Karman Bhagat Bapu, who has been instrumental in keeping the practice alive. This year’s event saw devotees offering 150 liters of milk across the forested paths surrounding the Girnar hills.
The parikrama starts with a ceremonial offering at the Girnareshwar Mahadev Temple, followed by a second offering at a temple located 30 steps above the starting point. From there, the milk is poured continuously along the 36-kilometer hilly path, representing a symbolic stream of devotion.
According to Jayesh Khesvani, General Secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (Junagadh), the purpose of the Dudhdhara Parikrama is to pray for favorable rainfall, peace, and the well-being of the nation. “This tradition is not just a spiritual practice, but a symbol of unity, faith, and cultural preservation,” he said.
The event saw participation from a wide cross-section of society, including maldhari communities, local traders, religious leaders, and saints residing in Bhavnath. The concluding ceremony was held at Bordevimata, featuring devotional songs, chanting, and distribution of prasad.
Given the route passes through protected forest land, the Forest Department maintained strict oversight to ensure the safety of participants and minimal environmental impact. Volunteers guided devotees to follow established norms throughout the journey.
The origins of the Dudhdhara Parikrama date back to a time of severe drought in the region. The first ritual was performed as a prayer for rain—and coincidentally, heavy rainfall followed shortly after. Since then, the tradition has continued annually, regarded as both a spiritual commitment and a sign of divine grace.
The Dudhdhara Parikrama is considered a precursor to the Lili Parikrama, another significant pilgrimage held annually before Dev Diwali, further reinforcing Girnar’s status as a center of deep spiritual and cultural significance in Gujarat.