Uparkot Fort Junagadh: History, Timings and a Complete Visitor Guide

At the foot of the sacred mountain of Girnar, the mighty Uparkot Fort has stood for over two thousand years, so old that the city of Junagadh, meaning Old Fort, is named after it. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, covers the history of Uparkot Fort, its timings and entry fee and the remarkable stepwells, caves and cannons to see inside.

About Uparkot Fort

Uparkot Fort is an ancient hilltop fortress on a plateau in the heart of Junagadh, in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, established around 319 BCE by the Mauryan emperor Chandragupta Maurya. One of the oldest structures in the region, it has been expanded and rebuilt many times over its long history and in places its ramparts rise as high as 20 metres. The fort is so ancient and so central to the city's story that Junagadh itself, meaning Old Fort, takes its name from it. Within its walls lie a remarkable collection of historic structures, from rock-cut stepwells and millennia-old Buddhist caves to a ruined mosque and giant cannons, while the ramparts offer superb views over the city and east to the Girnar hills. It is one of the most fascinating and important historical sites in all of Gujarat, a place where more than two thousand years of history, from the Mauryas to the Sultans, can be read in stone in a single afternoon's walk.

Uparkot Fort at a glance

The history of Uparkot Fort

Uparkot Fort has a history as dramatic as any in India. It was built as a strategic stronghold around 319 BCE by Chandragupta Maurya, at the foot of the sacred Girnar hills. After the Mauryan era it lost its prominence and, remarkably, fell into jungle ruin and was lost for centuries, before being rediscovered and rebuilt in the 10th century by the Chudasama ruler Graharipu, who is credited with the fort's great stepwells. Over its long life the fort endured no fewer than 16 historic sieges across a thousand years and legend tells that it once withstood a extraordinary twelve-year siege without falling. It passed through many hands, from the Chudasamas to the Sultans of Gujarat, each leaving their mark, from an inscription of Mandalika III dated 1450 to the fortifications and mosque of Sultan Mahmud Begada. Every stone of Uparkot tells a story of this turbulent past. Its very name reflects its layered history: Uparkot means the upper fort or citadel, the stronghold on the high ground and it was from this commanding position that rulers held sway over Junagadh and the surrounding lands for well over two thousand years.

The attractions inside Uparkot Fort

Uparkot is not a single structure but a treasury of historic monuments spread across the plateau, each from a different age of the fort's long life. The main attractions are:

Adi Kadi Vav. A unique and beautiful stepwell, cut in the 15th century entirely out of a single massive formation of solid rock, without masonry joints, with a long flight of steps leading down to the water. It is named, by legend, after two royal maids, Adi and Kadi, who fetched water from it and a Gujarati proverb says that one who has not seen Adi Kadi Vav and Navghan Kuvo is like the living dead, such is its fame.

Navghan Kuvo. An astonishing stepwell about 52 metres deep and almost a thousand years old, engineered into the soft rock with a magnificent circular staircase that spirals down around the well shaft. It was designed to secure the fort's water supply through long sieges, a feat of ancient engineering that still amazes visitors today.

The Buddhist Caves. A set of rock-cut Buddhist caves, dating back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries BCE, carved as multi-storey meditation rooms and chambers or monks' quarters. With their pillars, carvings and serene atmosphere, these ancient caves are among the oldest structures at the fort and a highlight for any history lover.

The Neelam Cannon. A massive bell-metal cannon, about 17 feet long, named Neelam, left behind by the Ottoman Turks after their defeat at the Siege of Diu in the 16th century and brought to the fort. Alongside it stands a companion cannon, Manek and from their perch the ramparts offer sweeping views over Junagadh and towards Girnar.

The Jama Masjid. The ruins of a grand 15th-century mosque, built by Sultan Mahmud Begada using materials from earlier structures on the site. Though in ruins, its scale and its pillared hall still convey the grandeur of the Sultanate era at Uparkot.

Uparkot Fort timings and entry fee

Uparkot Fort is open daily, generally from about 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with the closing time varying slightly up to around 7:00 PM in some seasons. The entry fee is about Rs 25 for Indian citizens and around Rs 300 for foreign nationals, with online tickets available. It takes about two to three hours to explore the fort properly, as the monuments are spread across the large plateau and involve a fair amount of walking and some steps. Timings and fees can change, so it is wise to confirm the current details before your visit, especially if you are planning around other sights in Junagadh.

Best time to visit Uparkot Fort

The best time to visit Uparkot Fort is the cool winter season, October to March, when the weather is pleasant for exploring the open, hilltop fort on foot, in line with the best time to visit Gujarat. The summer, April to June, is hot and makes the walking tiring, while the monsoon, though it turns the surroundings green, can make the steps slippery. Within the day, the cooler morning or the late afternoon, towards sunset, are the most comfortable and atmospheric times to explore, with the golden light beautiful on the old stone and the views to Girnar at their best. Allow a relaxed two to three hours to take it all in.

How to reach Uparkot Fort

Uparkot Fort is on a plateau in the heart of Junagadh city, easily reached by auto rickshaw or taxi from anywhere in town. Junagadh itself is well connected: the nearest major railway station is Junagadh Junction and the city 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 Junagadh and the fort as part of a wider tour.

Combine Uparkot Fort with the rest of Junagadh

Uparkot Fort is the centrepiece of a visit to Junagadh, but the city has much more to see, so it is best combined with the other sights. At the foot of Girnar lies the great Girnar mountain with its Jain and Hindu temples and its ropeway; the city also has the ornate Mahabat Maqbara mausoleum, the ancient Ashokan rock edicts and the Narsinh Mehta sites. Junagadh pairs naturally with a Gir lion safari nearby and the Somnath temple on the coast, so Uparkot Fort fits beautifully into a wider Saurashtra journey of history, pilgrimage and wildlife, combining ancient forts, sacred mountains, great temples and the Asiatic lion in one region.

Tips for visiting Uparkot Fort

A few pointers make your visit better:

• Visit October to March and explore in the cooler morning or late afternoon for comfort and good light.

• Allow two to three hours, as the many monuments are spread across the large hilltop plateau.

• Wear comfortable shoes and carry water, as there is a lot of walking and quite a few steps.

• Do not miss the two famous stepwells, Adi Kadi Vav and Navghan Kuvo and the ancient rock-cut Buddhist caves.

• Enjoy the superb views from the ramparts over Junagadh city and east to the sacred Girnar hills.

• Combine the fort with Girnar, a Gir safari and the Somnath temple for a full Saurashtra trip.

Plan your Junagadh trip

Experience My India can plan a Saurashtra trip that includes Uparkot Fort and Junagadh along with the temples and the safari. Combine the fort with the Girnar climb, add a Gir lion safari and the Somnath temple, book Somnath Dwarka hotels and let the Experience My India Somnath Dwarka tour packages or the wider Gujarat tour packages include Junagadh, the fort and the region in your itinerary. You can also extend the trip up the coast to Dwarka for a fuller journey.

Related guides

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

Plan your visit

Experience My India can arrange your Junagadh and Uparkot Fort trip. Browse more travel guides, message us on WhatsApp or call +91 73006 20809.