|
|
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. |

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
|
|
|