Updated 3 November 2026
- Said to date from 319 BCE, traditionally credited to Chandragupta Maurya
- Two rock-cut stepwells: Adi Kadi Vav (about 120 steps) and Navghan Kuvo
- Buddhist caves of the 2nd–3rd century, in two storeys
- About 2 km from Junagadh railway station; reported hours roughly 7–8 a.m. to 6–7 p.m.
Above the old city of Junagadh stands one of the oldest citadels in Gujarat. Uparkot is a half-day’s wander through caves, stepwells and cannons, and a good way to fill the afternoon after a Girnar morning.
A very old fort
Uparkot, “the upper fort”, sits on a rise on the eastern side of Junagadh. Tradition credits its first walls to the Mauryan emperor Chandragupta in 319 BCE, and it was extended and rebuilt many times by later rulers, including the Chudasamas and the sultans of Gujarat. The ramparts reach about 20 metres in places, and local accounts say the fort once withstood a siege of many years.
The two stepwells
- Adi Kadi Vav — a deep well cut into solid rock, reached by a long flight of about 120 steps. It is usually dated to the 15th century, and is named after two girls from a local legend.
- Navghan Kuvo — a circular well with a spiral staircase, dated to around 1026 and associated with the Chudasama king Navghan.
Both lack ornament; their beauty is in the rock itself and the zig-zag staircases cut into it.
The Buddhist caves
Inside the fort is a double-storeyed group of rock-cut Buddhist caves, dated variously between the 2nd century BCE and the 3rd century CE, used by monks as resting places. They are the largest of the three cave groups in Junagadh.
Cannons, mosque and tombs
- Neelam and Manek — two huge cannons on the ramparts, reported to have been cast in Egypt and left behind in India after an Ottoman defeat; their exact history is told differently in different accounts.
- Jama Masjid — a 15th-century mosque, once a palace, with a rare roofed courtyard and octagonal openings in its ceiling.
- Tomb of Nuri Shah and the old reservoir inside the walls.
Planning your visit
- Hours and tickets: sources report opening between 7 and 8 a.m. and closing between 6 and 7 p.m., with a small entry fee. Confirm on the day; parts have been closed for repair before.
- Season: October to February is comfortable; April and May are very hot.
- Time: allow two to three hours for the fort, the wells and the caves.
- Getting there: about 2 km from the station by auto or cab.
Combine it with Ashoka’s rock edicts and the Jain temples for a history-minded two days.
Sleeping near Girnar
Triloknath Ashram at Bhavnath Taleti is a short drive from the fort. See the rooms or call +91 96274 27283.
Frequently asked questions
Who built Uparkot Fort?
Tradition credits Chandragupta Maurya, around 319 BCE; later dynasties extended it many times.
What is there to see inside Uparkot?
Two stepwells (Adi Kadi Vav and Navghan Kuvo), Buddhist caves, the cannons Neelam and Manek, an old mosque and tombs.
How long should I allow?
Two to three hours.
When is the best time to go?
October to February; avoid the heat of April and May.
More from the notebook
Planning a stay near Girnar?
Ring the office for rooms and dates at Bhavnath Taleti.
+91 96274 27283