History
There is a legend in the Skanda Purana regarding the fair of Bhavnath. According to this legend, when Shiva-Parvati was traveling in a chariot through the sky, her divine ornament falls down near the temple of Bhavnath. Hence it is known as Vastra Putakshetra.
The procession of the Nagabavas, accompanied by the sound of conch during the Maha Puja on the day of Maha Shivaratri, bathing in the Mrigi Kund and chanting at the foothills of Girnar is a spiritual experience. According to a folktale, bathing in a Mrigi Kund brings salvation to the people.
Siddhas like Bhartuhari, Gopichand and Ashwatthama live in Girnar, the place of Navnath and Mahasiddha. And on the day of Shivratri, these Siddha men come to bathe in Mrigi Kund. There is also a belief that Siddha men do not appear outside once they have bathed in this Kund.

Religious significance
In the fair of Bhavanath, Lord Bhavanath is worshiped at the midnight of Maha Shivaratri. A large number of monks and Naga Sadhus come from all over Gujarat to pay homage to Mahapuja. Almonries are also opened at various places for the visitors. `
On the day of Maagha Vad Navami, the flag of religion and culture is hoisted over the temple of Lord Bhavanath. At this time, Nagabawa is seen riding on elephants, chanting conch and playing various instruments, chanting Mahadev. The caves of Muchkund, Bhartuhari and Guru Dutt are also very famous in this place. Millions of devotees come here to visit and enjoy the fair.

Place
At the foothills of Girnar in Junagadh, on the banks of the river Suvarnarekha, lies a very ancient temple of Lord Bhavnath. The background of the spontaneous Shivling of the temple looks beautiful with the wonderful forest.

Time
This fair is held every year on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri from Maagha Vad Krishna Paksha Agiyaras to Maagha Vad Amavasya.

The Girnar Mountain is located in the Junagadh district of Gujarat, India. It is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus and Jains. Since the 3rd century, it has been one of the major religious places covered with 866 Hindu and Jain temples spread over the summits. One needs to climb the 9999 steps to reach the final summit. Girnar Mountain is a sacred place for both Digambar and Shwetambar Jains. Amba Mata Temple Gorakshanath Temple and Dattatreya Temple are the major pilgrimage sites for the Hindu pilgrims.

There is a Tirthankara Neminath temple, a religious place for Jain devotees at Girnar, hence they call Girnar as Neminath Mountain. Udan Khatola is about to complete the construction and launch of India’s most technically advanced ropeway at Girnar. The ropeway length is 2126.4 meters having the ultra modern cabins.
The ropeway will take pilgrims to Ma Ambaji temple at Girnar providing immense convenience to people who are otherwise unable to climb 5000 steps to reach the sumit. The Ropeway is the largest one in Gujarat.

Udan Khatola is operating eight ropeways across India. The companies latest project is located in Girnar, Gujarat and is one of the longest ropeways in the country. Today Udan Khatola, carries over 7 million passengers annually.

'Udan Khatola' is the first and the largest ropeway brand in India. We have been in the ropeway business for more than five decades since 1969 and are the pioneers in the field of ropeway in India. The journey of Udan Khatola was started with the construction of ropeway at Ma Mansa Devi Temple at Haridwar, Uttarakhand and since then there was no looking back.

The massive Girnar Yatra, also known as the Girnar Parikrama is a 36-kilometre long event. Beginning at Rupayatan or the Dhudeshwar Temple in Bhavnath, the procession goes through the Gir Forest area and ends at Girnar Taleti.

This 5-day sacred walk through the woods is believed to be a 5000-year-old tradition that was even mentioned in the holy Shiva Purana. The Girnar Parikrama is said to be a unifying event as people from all backgrounds rush to take part in it.

First Part
The first twelve-kilometre stretch starts at Bhavnath and touches upon Zina Bava Ni Madhi through the dense forests of Ghodi. Here, the Hasnapur Dam is a major attraction as it is the biggest dam in Junagadh. The temple of Chandramauleshwar can also be found on the way.

Second Part
The second course of eight kilometres resumes at Zina Bava Ni Madhi and goes up until Malvela, which is, in turn, a pretty temple en route.
Travellers could also reach Malvela via the Sarkhadiya Hanuman Temple, which is located within a thicket, thus increasing the chances of either seeing wild animals or hearing them. Suraj Kund is another attraction close to the Hanuman temple.

Third Part
The next eight-kilometre walk is from Malvela to Bordevi. The latter sites a temple dedicated to the goddess Bordevi here. However, this is the last spot in the procession, with the remaining distance of eight kilometres being the return to Bhavnath from Bordevi.