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 Girnar Jain temple 

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 Girnar Jain Temples 

 Location: Girnar Jain temles are on the Girnar mountais located at a distance of 5 km from Junagadh and about 400 km south west of Ahmedabad. It is is easily accessible by trains and roads and state transport are also available. 
 
Mount Girnar : Mount Girnar  is a gigantic five peaked rock formation of volcanic origin, the tallest of these rises to 945 meters (3600 feet) above sea level.The five peaks of Girnar are topped by 866 intricately carved stone temples. There are around 8,000 steps from the trailhead to the highest peak. The five peaks, crowned by sixteen beautifully carved and sculptured marble shrines on the western flank of the mountain forms one of the most beautifully situated group of Jain temples in India. It is a sacred place  for Jains, Hindus and also for Muslims.  Mt. Girnar is also unique in that both the Digambar and Shwetambar have temples on its hills.

 Girnar Jain Temples
 The five peaks, crowned by sixteen beautifully carved and sculptured marble shrines on the western flank of the mountain forms one of the most beautifully situated group of Jain temples in India. Girnar temples present a true blend of art, religion and devotion. The Jain temples at Girnar attract devotees of both Shwetambar and Digambar sects of Jainism. 

  Girnar is a holy place and an important pilgrimage for both Hindus and Jains since the 3rd century. Girnar temples present a true blend of art, religion and devotion. The Jain temples at Girnar attract devotees of both Shwetambar and Digambar sects of Jainism. The two important Jain temples here are the Mallinath and Neminath. The Neminath Temple is the main attraction of Girnar. It was built during 1128 AD to 1159 AD. Another Jain temple in the region is the Parshwanath Temple. It was built in the 15th century and is also known as Meravasi. Besides this, there is a Goddess Ambe Temple at Grinar.
 
Tirthankara Neminath temple 
  One of the largest Jain temple is dedicated to the Bhagavân Neminath (श्रीनेमिनाथ), the 22nd Jain Tirthankar. There is an image of Neminath in each of the courtyard colonnade’s 70 cells. It was built during 1128 AD to 1159 AD.
  According to Jain religious beliefs, Neminath, the 22nd Tirthankar became an ascetic after he saw the slaughter of animals for food on his wedding. He renounced all worldly pleasures and came to Mount Girnar to attain salvation. Here, Bhagwan Neminath reached the highest state of enlightenment, Keval Gyan and Moksha, after great austerities. His bride-to-be also followed his path and founded the Sandhvi Sangh, the organization of women ascetics.The rectangular 
Neminath temple has an idol of Lord Neminath in black granite with jeweled eyes. There are 
quadrangle courtyards, corridors and other shrines. The pillars are adorned with intricate carvings of Jain Tirthankars.The ceilings bear carvings and sculptures of Dancing Goddesses. It is believed the  22nd tirthankara Neminath have died on Mount Girnar after 700 years of meditation and asceticism is depicted as a black figure sitting in the lotus position holding a conch in the marble Neminath Temple.
 
Mallinath temple
  Girnar Mallinath Temple of Bhagavân Mallinath (श्रीमल्लिनाथ)  was built by the brothers Vastupal and Tejapala who also funded temples in Mount Abu and Shatrunjaya. The idol of Baghwan Mallinath  is shown in blue color. 
 
 Other Jain temples
  In Girnar the jain temples are Baghwan Rishabhadev Temple and Baghwan Parshwanath Temple. Rishabhadev Temple, situated nearby, is in golden color.  Another Jain temple in the 
region is the Parshwanath Temple. It was built in the 15th century and is also known as Meravasi. Besides this, there is a Goddess Ambe Temple at Grinar.
 Five Tonks
 There are 5 tonks on the Girnar hill
 First Tonk: After climb of about 2 miles, there is a digamabar jain temple and a cave called rajulmati cave. it is stated that Rajulmati has done penanace and tap at this place. There is also a samll temple where idol of Bhagwan bahubali (120 cms) in stnading posture is installed. Besdies there are footprints of kundkund acharaya. In the temple, the idol of bhagwan Neminath (Vikram 1924) is on the main vedi. The idols of Parsvanath and neminath are also there. There is stream called gomukhi ganga and nearby the footprints of 24 tirthanakaras are available. This is called first tonk.  
Second tonk: After 900 steps the footprints of muni anirudhhkumat and temple of Devi Ambika. 
Third tonk: Here the footprints of Muni Sambukkumar are installed.
 Fourth tonk;  Here  the footprints of pradhyman kumar-son of lord krishna are installed here. He attained nirvana from this place.
 Fifth tonk;  The footprints of Bhagwan Neminath are installed here. There is an  idol of Bhagwan neminath on this tonk.  

  Controversy over control of religious places
  The control and status of religious places in the Girnar Mountains at Junagadh is turning out to be a bone of contention between the Jain and the Hindu community. The recent controversy involves the Neminath Temple and the Ra’Khengar Palace. While both are enlisted as historical monuments, Jains claim them as their own and say it is them who manage the two structures. Elsewhere, Hindu saints allege that the Jains have desecrated idols of Hindu gods and goddesses. 
  According to sources, controversy erupted after the archaeology department wrongly affixed the Neminath Temple board plaque on Ra’khengar Palace and vice-versa, which resulted in a chaos. Neminath Temple and Ra’khengar Palace is located on the first peak of Girnar Mountains at a distance of 4000 steps en-route Ambaji peak, the highest spot on the mountain range. 
 Meanwhile, Junagadh District Collector Ashwini Kumar denied any controversy over the issue. “The state Archaeological Department had wrongly placed notification boards at the sites, which resulted in a confusion. But after it was brought to our notice, the mistakes were rectified and the boards have been affixed at their right places,” he said. 

  Mount Girnar to go Wi-Fi   
 
The pilgrim's progress on Gujarat's tallest mountain is set to be Wi-Fi-enabled. Over 25 lakh tourists throng about 30 temples, including famous Ambaji Mandir and Jain Derasar, dotting the seven peaks of the 1100- metre tall  mountain. The decision to make the mountain Wi-Fi enabled was taken to webcast the 25th Girnar climbing competition which is slated for next month. An average of 1,000 contestants participate in the event. This time around about 1,800 participants will join the event. 
"Girnar climbing competition started in 1971 and  continued up to 1979. Again efforts were made to rejuvenate the competition in 1991 by State Bank of Saurashtra. But the event has been regularly organised  since 1996 in both men and women category after the state 
government took over," said Devashi Ambalia, project director of the event. 

 Transport: 
The Nearest airport is at Keshod situated at a distance of 40 km and Porbander at a distance of 113 km. The nearest International airport is in Ahmedabad.
 Nearest railway station is 5km frm Junagarjh 
 By Road: State transport buses, private transport are available. It is located at a distance of 5 km from Junagadh and about 400 km south west of Ahmedabad.  
 
Accommodation: Staying facilities are available at the
 
Shri Bandilal Digamabar Jain Dharamshala at Girnar.  
  Phone-0285-2654108, 2621519
  Boarding Lodging for 500 persons available on payment basis.
  Manager: -09427733364 
 
Contact: Tourist Information Centers :
   1 Tourist Information Center, 216-217, Kanishka Shopping Plaza, Ashok Road, 
      New Delhi-    Phone No 011-23368371
   2.Gujrat state Tourist information centre.
      Gandhinagar : - Nigam Bhawan, 
      Sector 16, Gandhinagar - 382016 Ph. 02712-22523 
  


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