Ashok Shilalekh

History lovers can visit the Ashok Shilalekh or the rock edicts of Emperor Ashoka. One particular rock edict of Ashoka can be found in an area between Junagadh and Girnar Hill. On walking 3 km from Girnar Hill or 2 km eastward from Junagadh, this rock with inscriptions that date back to 250 BC can be seen. The instructions penned on this rock are related to dharma, peace, morality, harmony and tolerance.

The rock is basically uneven in shape, with a circumference of seven metres and height of 10 metres. On the rock, the 14 inscriptions of Emperor Ashoka are written with an iron pen, in the Brahmi script of the Pali language.

Although the edicts mostly direct people to follow the beliefs of Buddhism, there are also some inscriptions carved in Sanskrit. These Sanskrit writings were added later on by the rulers, which describes a continuous flood in this region that resulted in the destruction of the embankments of the presently non-existent Sudershan Lake

Timing: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
             2:00 pm – 6:00 pm