Junagadh

I was standing a little distance from the temple premises, looking towards Girnar. A few hours ago, this same place was resounding with cheers. Now there was peace. Here I understood the deepest meaning of this fair. The festival is temporary, Shivatva is eternal.

Held at the foothills of Girnar, the centuries-old Bhavnath Fair, often called a “Mini Kumbh”, brings together sadhus and devotees from across India for sacred rituals, the Mrigi Kund bath, and Shivratri processions in devotion to Lord Shiva.

On Nov 9, 1947, Junagadh joined India despite its Nawab acceding to Pakistan. A popular revolt by the Arzi Hukumat, backed by Sardar Patel, led to the Nawab's flight. A final plebiscite overwhelmingly confirmed the merger with India.

The largest of the 13 akharas is Bhairav Akhara, also known Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara which will take part in Maha Kumbh.

As the Junagadh Police swung into action and arrested five of the eight accused after registering a case against them, the protesting medicos called off their strike within hours. While the police assured that the rest of the accused would be arrested, the doctors and nursing staff returned to their respective duties.

The dargah was located near the Majewadi gate. Junagadh Municipal Corporation team removed it in a bulldozer action at night.

The Local Crime Branch (LCB) of Junagadh district police a whopping ₹52 lakh was deposited in the bank account of Salman Azhari-run charitable trust 'Al-Amaan Education and Welfare Trust' in 2023.

“Since he (Azhari) is an accused in this offence, his activities in addition to his Trust’s activities and financing will be investigated in detail,” SP Jat said adding that more stringent sections will be added in the case depending upon the findings of the investigation.

On Wednesday, the Junagarh LCB did not seek an extension of Azhari’s custody, however, it opposed the bail plea of the accused since an investigation is still ongoing in the matter.