Damodar Kund & Temple, Junagadh - Timings, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

At a distance of 2 km from Bhavnath Mahadev Mandir and 4 km from Junagadh Junction, Damodar Kund is a sacred lake located in Junagadh, Gujarat. Situated at the foothills of Girnar Hills, it is one of the holy lakes in Gujarat and among the popular places to visit in Junagadh.

Damodar Kund is 257 feet long and 50 feet broad and only 5 feet deep. It is surrounded by a well-built ghat. It is one of the very few monuments which come under the special care of the Gujarat State Government. As per Hindu mythology, Damodar Kund is considered holy and many Hindus prefer to bathe and immerse the ashes and the bones left after cremation of dead bodies at Damodar Kund due to a belief that the departed souls would get moksha here.

On the lakeside, one can see the temple of Damodarji dedicated to Lord Krishna. Built out of pink sand stone, the temple consists of an inner Nij Mandir and an outer Solaha Mandapa, each topped with a Shikar, supported by an array of around 84 exquisitely carved pillars. The statue of Damodarji is found in the form of Chaturbhuj, each arm holding a conch, discus, mace and lotus, along with Sri Radha Rani. It is believed that the idols here are supposed to have been installed by Vajranabha, the grandson of Lord Krishna. Lord Damodar here is considered as Adhipati of Girnar Kshetra by Vaishnavaits. Historically, these temples are supposed to have been renovated by a Suryavanshi ruler named Chandraketpur, who is also accredited to have built the temple of Bhavnath. There are other sub shrines dedicated to Lord Balarama, Sri Revati and Lord Ganesha.

The Damodar Kund is closely attached to the life of Narsinh Mehta, the famous 15th century Gujarati poet and devotee of Krishna, who used to come to bathe at Damodar Kund and is said to have written many of his prabhatiyas (morning prayers) here. At present, there is also a temple of Narsinh Mehta, which was built in 1890 during reign of Nawab Sir Muhammad Bahadur Khan III on behest of his Diwan Haridas Viharidas Desai, who used to public money by organizing lottery to build the temple and foot steps leading up the Mount Girnar.

Close to Damodar Kund is Revati Kund which is about 52 feet long, 52 feet broad and 37 feet deep. It is said that Revata left Dwarka and moved near Girnar Hill after his daughter, Revati, married Lord Balarama. Hence, Mount Girnar was also known as Raivatachal, Raivatgiri, Revatak Parvat or simply Raivata. Close to Revati Kund is the mythological Muchukunda Cave. The cave has a temple of Lord Krishna, and a Shivling. This is the place where Kalayavan, the great Yavana or Greek warrior king, who was chasing Lord Krishna, was killed by Muchukunda's gaze in the Indian epic Mahabharata.

Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM