Dattatreya Temple Girnar: The Summit Shrine of 9,999 Steps

At the very top of the sacred mountain of Girnar, after one of the most demanding pilgrim climbs in India, stands the shrine of Lord Dattatreya. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, covers the story of the Dattatreya temple, the 9,999-step climb, the Girnar ropeway and its ticket price, the timings and how to reach this loftiest of Girnar's shrines.

About the Dattatreya temple

The Dattatreya Mandir on Girnar hill in Junagadh, Gujarat, is a sacred shrine perched high on the mountain, at an altitude of around 3,300 to 3,666 feet above sea level, reached by climbing nearly 9,999 steps. It is the final and loftiest temple of the Girnar climb, dedicated to Lord Dattatreya and houses his revered divine footprints. Girnar is a living spiritual mountain, sacred to both Hindus and Jains, with five main peaks, Gorakhnath, Ambaji, Guru Dattatreya, Kalka and Oghad and the Dattatreya shrine crowns the ultimate summit of the pilgrim trek. To reach it is regarded as an act of great devotion and the panoramic views from the top, over the hills and the plains of Saurashtra, are breathtaking.

Dattatreya temple at a glance

The story of the Dattatreya temple

Lord Dattatreya, to whom the temple is dedicated, is revered as an incarnation of the divine trinity, Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Shiva the destroyer, combined in one. He was the son of the great sage Atri and his devoted wife Anasuya and is honoured as a supreme guru, the Adi Guru of the Nath and Dattatreya traditions. By legend, Lord Dattatreya meditated and performed penance on the heights of Girnar and it is here, on the summit, that his sacred footprints or paduka, are enshrined and worshipped in the temple. For followers of the Datta tradition, Girnar is one of the most sacred places on earth and the climb to the footprints of their guru at the summit is the culmination of a deeply meaningful pilgrimage.

What is the Dattatreya temple famous for?

The Dattatreya temple is famous above all as the final and highest shrine of the great Girnar climb, reached only after nearly 9,999 steps, making it one of the most physically and spiritually demanding pilgrimages in India. It is famous for housing the sacred footprints of Lord Dattatreya, the divine trinity, at the very summit and for the extraordinary panoramic views over the Girnar range and Saurashtra from the top. It is also known for the unique final stretch of the climb, where pilgrims descend into a saddle between the peaks and then climb again to the Dattatreya summit. The sense of achievement and devotion on reaching the top is what draws pilgrims from across India to make the arduous climb.

The climb: 9,999 steps to the summit

The traditional trek to the Dattatreya temple starts from the base at Bhavnath Taleti, near the Damodar Kund and the Bhavnath Mahadev temple, at the foot of Girnar. From here, the climb rises through nearly 9,999 stone steps to the summit. The first major stop, at around 5,000 steps, is the Ambaji temple, one of the most visited shrines on the mountain, where pilgrims rest. Beyond Ambaji, the climb continues past the Gorakhnath peak towards Dattatreya and here comes the hardest part: the trail descends steeply into a saddle before climbing again up the final steps to the Dattatreya summit, so you must go down and then up to reach the top. Free prasad and food are available at ashrams along the way, such as the Gaumukhi Ganga, sustaining the pilgrims on the long climb.

Girnar ropeway to the Dattatreya temple

The Girnar ropeway, known as Udan Khatola, is one of the longest ropeways in Asia and it makes the climb far easier by carrying pilgrims from the base at Bhavnath Taleti up to the Ambaji temple, the midway point, in about seven to eight minutes, saving the roughly 5,000 steps to that stage. From Ambaji, however, the ropeway goes no further, so to reach the Dattatreya summit you must still climb the remaining steps, about 4,999 more or hire a local doli, a palanquin carried by handlers, for the final stretch. The approximate ropeway fares are:

A doli for the remaining stairs from Ambaji to the Dattatreya peak is charged based on the passenger's weight and negotiation with the local handlers, so agree the price before you set off. Note that ropeway fares are subject to change, so confirm the current rates when you book.

Dattatreya temple and ropeway timings

The Dattatreya temple is generally open for darshan from 5:00 AM to 5:30 PM on regular days and it is said to remain open all night on full moon or Poornima, days, which are especially auspicious. The Girnar ropeway generally operates from around 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the last ride up in the late afternoon, so you must plan to start early enough to climb the remaining steps to Dattatreya and return before the ropeway closes. Timings for both the temple and the ropeway can vary with the season, festivals and maintenance, so it is wise to confirm them locally before you set out on the climb.

How much time does it take to climb?

The time it takes to reach the Dattatreya temple depends on your fitness and how you travel. Climbing all 9,999 steps on foot from the base takes most fit pilgrims around five to seven hours one way or longer, so a full day is needed for the up-and-down trek and many start before dawn. Using the ropeway to Ambaji cuts out the first several hours, but you must still climb the remaining roughly 4,999 steps to Dattatreya and back, which takes several hours in itself, as it includes the demanding down-and-up final stretch. Whether on foot or by ropeway plus climb, allow a good part of a day, carry water and go at a steady pace.

How to reach the Dattatreya temple

The Dattatreya temple is on Girnar hill, about 5 km from Junagadh city. The climb or the ropeway, starts from the base at Bhavnath Taleti, easily reached by auto rickshaw or taxi from Junagadh. Junagadh itself is well connected: the nearest major railway station is Junagadh Junction and the town is reachable by road from across Saurashtra, including from Somnath, about 100 km away and Gir, about 60 km away. Our Junagadh to Girnar and Somnath to Girnar distance guides cover the routes and a Somnath Dwarka taxi service can bring you to the Bhavnath Taleti base.

Best time to visit

The best time to climb to the Dattatreya temple is the cool season, November to February, when the weather is pleasant for the demanding climb, in line with the best time to visit Gujarat. The winter is comfortable for the long ascent, while the summer heat and the monsoon, when the steps can be slippery, are best avoided. The great Girnar Parikrama, a circumambulation of the mountain, takes place around November, in the month of Kartik and Mahashivratri brings the Bhavnath Fair to the foothills, both special but very busy times. Start the climb early in the morning, whatever the season, to reach the summit and descend in daylight.

Tips for climbing to the Dattatreya temple

A few pointers for this demanding pilgrimage:

• Start very early, before dawn if climbing on foot, to reach the summit and return in daylight.

• Take the ropeway to Ambaji to save about 5,000 steps, then climb the remaining stairs to Dattatreya.

• Be ready for the down-and-up final stretch between Ambaji and the Dattatreya peak, the hardest part.

• Carry water, wear comfortable shoes and go at a steady pace, resting at the shrines along the way.

• Consider a doli or palanquin, for the final steps if you cannot manage the climb, agreeing the price first.

• Climb in the cool winter months and confirm the temple and ropeway timings locally before you set out.

Plan your Girnar trip

The Dattatreya temple is the crowning experience of a Girnar pilgrimage, best combined with the wider region. Junagadh, at the foot of Girnar, also has the Uparkot fort and the Jain temples on the mountain's first plateau and it pairs naturally with a Gir lion safari nearby and the Somnath temple on the coast. Book Somnath Dwarka hotels and let the Experience My India Somnath Dwarka tour packages include Girnar, the safari and the temples in your itinerary. You can also extend the trip to Dwarka for a fuller Saurashtra pilgrimage.

Related guides

To plan the rest of your Saurashtra trip, these related guides help:

Plan your visit

Experience My India can arrange your Girnar and Dattatreya pilgrimage. Browse more travel guides, message us on WhatsApp or call +91 73006 20809.