Are you in Gujarat craving for a long drive & a difficult climbing challenge? You are hereby challenged to step up the famous peak of Mt. Girnar.

Girnar: The Abode of Gods

Welcome to Girnar, the highest point in all of Gujarat. Apart from being a Gujarati trekker’s dream come true; it is also the main attraction for tens of thousands of pilgrims who do the Girnar darshan and pay their respects to more than 850 Hindu & Jain temples aligned nearby the pilgrim pathway. However, there is one more thing that sets this peak apart, it’s the Annual Mount Girnar Ascending Descending Competition AKA the Girnar Challenge.

What is the Girnar Challange?

Every year, the Department of Youth and Cultural Affairs with the District Administration of Junagadh organise the Open Gujarat Mount Girnar Ascending and Descending Competition for all people.

This difficult climbing challenge is not for the faint-hearted because completing the Girnar challenge requires you to be physically fit, strong and agile. The contestants are required to run up the stairs and scale 5000 steps and then return to the starting point. The one who completes the race in the least time wins.

This competition is held in four separate groups i.e. Senior Boys Group. Junior Boys Group. Senior Girls Group & Junior Girls Group.

You want more mountains to climb: https://indiachalk.com/blog/visit-the-highest-battlefield-in-the-world-siachen-glacier-open-for-tourists/

Race Starting Point:

You will start the race from the Girnar Taleti in Bhavnath (located on the foothills of Mount Girnar). And the finishing point will be at the Ambaji Temple (height of approx. 900 metres).

If you’re a male, then you have to ascend and descend 5000 steps between the foothills of Mt Girnar and Ambaji Temple, within 90 minutes. On the other hand, being a female, you have to ascend and descend 2000 steps between Mt Girnar and Mali Parab, within 60 minutes.

You won’t be allowed to take shortcuts, neither are you allowed to take a doli or a walking stick during the entire course of the race. The contestants who complete this difficult climbing challenge on time are rewarded with certificates, prizes, cash awards as decided by the organizers. 

How to register for the Girnar Challenge?

Unfortunately, the Girnar challenge 2021 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But for the next year, you can bookmark this site for later and keep checking the notifications released by the Junagadh government. However, Girnar darshan is still running and devotees can take the famous Girnar Ropeway that cuts across a total of 10,000 steps and directly lands you near the Ambaji temple at the peak.

To see a sample registration form for the race, visit here.

NOTE: you cannot participate in the Girnar Challenge without applying for online registration first. If not registered, you won’t get your chest number seal before the race starts.

Things you must know about the Girnar Challenge

1. Level of Difficulty: This challenge is not just another casual activity. This is not a celebrity-endorsed casual walkathon. Once you begin, you will ascend 920 meters from the sea level right till you reach atop the Ambaji Mandir at the height of 1,020 meters. The race begins early morning between 6:30 & 7:30 am and ends by 11 am before the sun gets too hot.
2. How many people take the challenge: Approx. 2500-3000 contestants (male and female) take part in the Annual Mount Girnar Ascending Descending Competition. The top ten winners of the race win prizes and rewards by the organizing authorities.
3. What time of the year one should visit Girnar:  For Girnar darshan, the mountain is accessible all-year-round but for the race, the best time to go is between January & February. The 2020 Girnar race was held on 9th February and the contestants were called to report to the race from 7th February onwards. So, if you’re planning to take part in the race, you better keep your calendars booked!
4. What is the weather like: During the summers, it gets comfortable but during the race period, the mountain experiences chilly weather and foggy mornings. We highly recommend that you pack some thermal clothes with good insulation to keep your body toasty. 

Some useful tips & information:

• If you’re coming from an outstation city/state, then it won’t hurt to come a few days sooner than the race. Give yourself a chance to acclimate to the mountain weather, do a few practice sessions and explore the locale;
• Always carry a light water bottle & a towel with you to keep yourself hydrated and dry during the Girnar race;
• The Junagadh authorities release ‘race rules’ online before every race begins. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the guidelines of the race. You can visit the Junagadh Govt website for more information.
• If you’re visiting for the first time, you can take the Girnar ropeway. It allows to see the whole race-path from a bird’s point of view.

The Girnar race is one of the older forms of races. It is the most difficult climbing challenge where the aim is pretty much straightforward. Whoever reaches the top and comes back down in the least amount of time, wins. If you like to run and test your limits, then you must try the Girnar Climbing Contest at least once. Afterwards, you can treat yourself with a delicious brunch available at the local stalls. And take in the magnificent views of the nearby lands.

Also follow India Chalk on Instagram for more amazing travel content. You can share your travel story with us. Reach out to us on email at contact[at]ndiachalk[dot]com. This blog is curated by India Chalk and written by Aishwarya D.