Girnar is one of the few pilgrimage hills in India where the Nath Sampradaya has left its mark on the mountain itself — its highest peak is named after Guru Gorakhnath. For anyone planning a stay near Bhavnath Taleti, understanding this connection adds real depth to a visit to Triloknath Ashram and the wider Girnar circuit.
Who Is Guru Gorakhnath?
Guru Gorakhnath (also spelled Gorakshanath) is revered as the founder of the Nath Sampradaya, a Shaiva yogic tradition that traces its teaching lineage back to his own guru, Matsyendranath. He is counted among the Navnath, the nine legendary Nath masters, and is closely linked to the historical development of Hatha Yoga — the tradition of physical and breath-based practice that much of later yoga draws from.
Very little about Gorakhnath's life is recorded with certainty — accounts place him anywhere from the 8th to the 12th century, and legends describe him travelling across the Indian subcontinent, from Punjab and Sindh to Nepal, Bengal and the Deccan. What survives more clearly is his influence: monasteries, temples and towns across India carry his name, most famously Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.
The Gorakhnath Shikhar at Girnar
At Girnar, Guru Gorakhnath's connection is written into the landscape itself. The highest of Girnar's five peaks — rising to roughly 1,117 metres, the tallest point in Gujarat — is known as the Gorakhnath shikhar. A shrine near the summit is said to preserve the sacred footprints of Gorakhnathji, and pilgrims who complete the demanding climb past the Jain temples and the Amba Mata shrine often regard reaching this peak as the culmination of the Girnar pilgrimage.
Girnar's association with the Nath tradition goes beyond this one peak. The hill is traditionally counted among the sites linked to the Navnath and the 84 Siddhas, and figures like Bhartrihari and Gopichand — well-known names within Nath lore — are also associated with the mountain.
Bhavnath Taleti: Where the Pilgrimage Begins
Bhavnath Taleti, where Triloknath Ashram is located, sits at the very foot of Girnar and is itself a significant stop on the pilgrimage. The ancient Bhavnath Mahadev temple here is linked to Shiva in Puranic legend, and the site comes alive during the annual Bhavnath Mela around Maha Shivratri, when Naga sadhus gather for a ceremonial procession and a ritual bath in the nearby Mrigi Kund.
For devotees and pilgrims, staying at Bhavnath Taleti means being at the meeting point of two things: the base from which the climb to the Gorakhnath shikhar and Girnar's other peaks begins, and a place with its own independent spiritual weight tied to Shiva worship and Nath ascetic tradition.
Shernath Bapu & Triloknath Ashram in This Tradition
Triloknath Ashram, associated with Shernath Bapu, carries forward this Nath lineage at Bhavnath Taleti. Rather than positioning itself as a waypoint for sightseeing, the ashram is built around the same values the Nath tradition is known for — simplicity, discipline and a quiet focus on practice — offering devotees and pilgrims a place to stay that reflects the spirit of what brought them to Girnar in the first place.
To read more about the ashram itself, visit About Shernath Bapu & Triloknath Ashram, or see current room categories and tariff if you're planning your stay.
Planning a Visit Around the Nath Tradition
Visitors specifically interested in the Nath and Shaiva heritage of Girnar often plan their trip around a few key points:
- The climb to the Gorakhnath shikhar, Girnar's highest peak
- Bhavnath Mahadev Temple and Mrigi Kund at the foothills
- The Bhavnath Mela during Maha Shivratri, if travel dates allow
- The Girnar Lili Parikrama, an annual circumambulation of the hill
- A stay at Triloknath Ashram, within walking distance of Bhavnath Taleti's temples
Since the climb to the upper peaks is long — Girnar's full stone stairway runs to several thousand steps — most pilgrims start early in the morning, and many choose to stay the night before at Bhavnath Taleti rather than travel in from Junagadh town on the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Guru Gorakhnath?
Guru Gorakhnath is revered as the founder of the Nath Sampradaya, a Shaiva yogic tradition. He is counted among the Navnath (nine Naths) and is closely associated with the development of Hatha Yoga, following his own guru, Matsyendranath.
What is Gorakhnath's connection to Girnar?
The highest peak of the Girnar hill range is known as the Gorakhnath shikhar and is associated with Guru Gorakhnath's sadhana. A shrine near the summit marks this connection, and Girnar is traditionally regarded as one of the sites linked to the Navnath and 84 Siddhas.
How is Triloknath Ashram connected to the Nath tradition?
Triloknath Ashram at Bhavnath Taleti is associated with Shernath Bapu, who carries forward the Nath tradition linked to Guru Gorakhnath at the foothills of Girnar.
When is the best time to visit for the Nath tradition festivals near Girnar?
The Bhavnath Mela, held around Maha Shivratri at the foothills of Girnar, is the most significant annual gathering connected to Shaiva and Nath ascetic tradition in the area.