Dattatreya Temple, Junagadh | Legend, Trek, Timings

Dattatreya Temple, Junagadh Overview

Located on the top of the Girnar Mountain in Junagadh in Gujarat, Dattatreya Temple is revered Hindu temple. It is dedicated to the holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva collectively known as Dattatreya or Datta.

However, Dattatreya Temple can only be reached by scaling the height of the mountain which is approximately 10000 steps. This temple is a huge pilgrim magnet for the popular Maha Shivaratri fair that is annually held during the Hindu month of Magha.

Legend of the Dattatreya Temple

Dattatreya is a revered Hindu deity and one of the pioneers of the yogic legacy in the Hindu faith. Considered to be an amalgam of the three Hindu gods; Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu, Dattatreya is also known as Trimurti.

Although not much is known about him, it is said Dattatreya's childhood was spent upon the Girnar Hill, which houses the Dattatreya Temple today. It is also believed that he attained monkhood and immersed into a deep transcendent state for twelve thousand years here.

Trekking to the Dattatreya Temple

This trek of about ten thousand steps to the temple can be covered in roughly 7 to 8.5 hours. The roundabout trek would be approximately 15 to 16 hours. However, the climb is not an easy one, and the descend is even difficult.

Ensure to be suitably fit and carry lots of water for the trek. It's always a better idea to begin the trek early in the morning. This trek is not recommended for people which cardiac or breathing difficulties.

How to Reach the Dattatreya Temple

Dattatreya Temple or the Guru Dattatreya Paduka Mandir is located about 18 km from the Junagadh city centre. After a drive of about 40 minutes, reaching the temple would require an extensive trek. Travellers could take autos or even book cabs to reach the foothills of the temple.