| Girnar Mount | |
|---|---|
| ગિરનાર પર્વત Revatak Parvata | |
 Mount Girnar | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,145[1] m (3,757 ft) |
| Prominence | 1,130 m (3,710 ft) |
| Listing | List of Indian states and territories by highest point, Ribu |
| Coordinates | 21°29′41″N70°30′20″E / 21.49472°N 70.50556°E /21.49472; 70.50556 |
| Geography | |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Igneous |
Girnar is an ancient hill inJunagadh,Gujarat, India. It is one of the holiest pilgrimages ofJains, aMahatirth, where the 22ndTirthaṅkar, LordNeminath attained omniscience, and later nirvana at its highest peak (Neminath Shikhar), along with other five hundred and thirty threeenlightened sages. This is well described in ancient texts such asKalpa Sūtra written by acharyaBhadrabāhu andShri Uttaradhyayana Sutra by Arya Sudharmaswami.[2][3] It is administered by the Junagadh Municipal Corporation.
Mount Girnar is a majorigneous plutonic complex which intruded into thebasalts towards the close of theDeccan Trap period. The rock types identified in this complex aregabbros (tholeiitic and alkalic),diorites,lamprophyres,alkali-syenites andrhyolites. The parent gabbroic magma is shown to have given rise in sequence to diorites, lamprophyres and alkali-syenites. Therhyolite, though previously considered as a product of differentiation, is now believed to be an independentmagma without any genetic link with the gabbro and its variants.[4][5]
Girnar was an important mountain that has been a sacred place for Jains since centuries.
In the 7th century, the Chinese traveler Hsuan-tsang mentioned Girnar as a place of "supernatural monks". On the southern side of the mountain, there are Jain temples that were built in the 13th century.[6]
Fourteen ofAshoka'sMajor Rock Edicts, dating to circa 250 BCE, are inscribed on a large boulder that is housed in a small building located outside the town ofJunagadh onSaurashtra peninsula in the state ofGujarat,India. It is located on Girnar Taleti road, at about 2 km (1.2 mi) far from Uperkot Fort easterly, some 2 km before Girnar Taleti. An uneven rock, with a circumference of seven meters and a height of ten meters, bears inscriptions etched with an iron pen inBrahmi script in a language similar toPali and date back to 250 BCE, thus marking the beginning of written history of Junagadh.[7]
On the same rock there are inscriptions inSanskrit added around 150 CE by MahakshatrapRudradaman I, theSaka (Scythian) ruler ofMalwa, a member of theWestern Satraps dynasty (seeJunagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman).[7] The edict also narrates the story of Sudarshan Lake which was built or renovated by Rudradaman I, and the heavy rain and storm due to which it had broken.[8]
Another inscription dates from about 450 CE and refers toSkandagupta, one of the lastGupta emperors.[8]
The protective building around the edicts was built in 1900 by Nawab Rasool Khan ofJunagadh State at a cost of Rs 8,662. It was repaired and restored in 1939 and 1941 by the rulers of Junagadh. The wall of the structure had collapsed in 2014.[9]
A much smaller replica of these Girnar edicts has been positioned outside the entrance of theNational Museum inDelhi.[10]
Similarly, inside the Parliament Museum at New Delhi, an exhibit replicates the act of artists sculpting inscriptions of Girnar edict on a rock.[11]
!["Aṃtiyako Yona Rājā" (𑀅𑀁𑀢𑀺𑀬𑀓𑁄𑀬𑁄𑀦𑀭𑀸𑀚𑀸, "The Greek king Antiochos"), mentioned in Major Rock Edict No.2, at Girnar.[12]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aAmtiyako_Yona_Raja_in_Major_Rock_Edicts_No2_in_Girnar.jpg)
A little further from Ashoka's inscription, on the right side of the road, there is a large stone standing which looks like exact replica of Ashoka's inscription.
Jain texts record Girnar mountain as an ancient pilgrimage site from where crores (koda-kodi) of monks have attained liberation.Neminath, the 22ndTirthankara attainedMoksha from this hill.Śvetāmbara tradition also considers Girnar to be an eternally Jain pilgrimage. 3rd century BCE textKalpa Sūtra by AcharyaBhadrabāhusuri mentions Girnar hill to be the place of initiation,Kevala jnana, andMoksha of the 22nd Tirthankara, Neminatha.[13][2][3][14][15][16]
Sixth century BCE Jain textUttaradhyayana Sutra which is believed to be the direct words ofMahavira, mentions thatNeminatha ascended Mount Raivataka to become an ascetic in the 22nd chapter.[3][17] Acharya Dharasena, who was a resident of Girnar, practiced penance and meditation in Candragumpha cave of the mountain.[18] He gave the spiritual knowledge to Pushpadanta and Bhutabali, who wrote theShatkhandagama in between 86 CE and 156 CE.[19][20]
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Of the several Jaina inscriptions found at Girnar, most are at theGirnar Jain temples.
Girnar ropeway is Asia's longest ropeway. First proposed in 1983, the construction started only in September 2018 due to government approval delays and litigation. The construction and operation is managed by Usha Breco Limited. The project was inaugurated on 24 October 2020 by now Prime Minister Narendra Modi.[49] The ropeway is 2,320 metres (7,610 feet) long and takes passengers 850 metres (2,790 feet) above the hill to theAmbika Jain temple (Ambaji) within 10 minutes.[50]
Girnar Jain temples are a group ofŚvetāmbara Jain temples and oneDigambara temple atop Mount Girnar.Neminatha, the 22ndTirthankara had renounced the world and become an ascetic, and then attainedomniscience andliberation, all atop this mountain. Therefore, the hill is sacred to both the sects ofJainism.[51][52]
It is home to sixteen exquisitely sculpted temples. The first peak, orTunk, consists of the black granite temple dedicated to Lord Neminath, constructed in 1128 AD. The temple features intricate carvings on its pillars and is adorned with unique colored mosaics. The second Tunk houses the demi-goddess Ambika temple, while the third and fourth Tunks are significant for containing the foot-idols of Muni Śāmba Kumar and Pradyumna Kumar, who visited here. The fifth Tunk, requiring a climb of 10,000 steps from the base, enshrines the foot-idol of Bhagwan Neminath. Additionally, other sacred sites include the cave of Rajul, the Rathanemi temple (dedicated to Neminath's younger brother), and Sahasavan.[53]
Girnar holds great significance inJain history and legends. As perJain scriptures, it is believed that Girnar has been in existence since eternity and that the 22ndTirthankaraNeminatha visited and performed his penance on this mountain in the presentAvsarpini. CanonicalŚvetāmbara scriptures such asKalpa Sūtra,[51]Āvassaya-sutta,Nāyā-dhamma-kahāo,Uttarajjhayaṇa-sutta[52] and non-canonical ancient works of literature such asPrabhavak Charitra[54] byAcharya Prabhachandrasuri,Neminah Chariu, andSamyaktva Saptatika byAcharya Haribhadrasuri,Trīṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacharitra[55] byAcharya Hemachandrasuri,Vastupala-Mahakavya by Acharya Udayprabhasuri,Kumarpalabhupal-Charitra[56] by Acharya Jaisinhsuri,Jain Meghdoot byAcharya Merutungasuri,Raivatgirirasu by Acharya Vijaysensuri are some prominent scriptures emphasizing the importance of Girnar inJainism.[57][58][59]
Karnavihāra Prāsāda, one of the main temples atop the hill, is dedicated toNeminatha. Its main idol is made ofblack granite and the temple itself featuresMaru-Gurjara architecture.Vividha Tirtha Kalpa by Acharya Jinprabhasuri mentions that the original idol was made of clay and that the temple was made of wood.Ratnasār came to Girnar with asangha and performed ritualistic bathing of the clay idol due to which it dissolved in the holy water. Due to this,Ratnasār got upset and fasted for 21 days, after which, demigoddessAmbika, pleased by his devotion, gave him an idol ofNeminatha. Therefore the current idol of Neminatha was installed by aŚrāvaka namedRatnasār, fromKashmir, in the 10th century CE. He is said to have had obtained this idol from demigoddess Ambika.[60][61][62] It was later renovated bySajjana, a minister ofJaysimha Siddharaja in the 12th century CE.Sajjana utilized three years' worth of tax revenue collected from the people ofSaurashtra. When Jaysimha Siddharaja got to know about the incident, he decided to investigate it. However, until then,Sajjana had already raised funds from theŚrāvakas and presented them to Siddharaja. Sajjana told Siddharaja that the temple was namedKarnavihāra Prāsāda after Siddharaja's father Karnadev. Pleased with the gesture, Siddharaja approved the revenue funds spent on the renovation of the temple.[63][64]
Apart fromKarnavihāra Prāsāda, there are other temples dedicated to otherTirthankaras built across centuries such as:Adbad Adinath Temple,Panchmeru Temple,Merak Vasahi Temple,[65]Sangram Soni's Temple,Kumarpala's Temple,Vastupala—Tejpala Temple,[66]Mansingh Bhojraj Temple,[67]Samprati Maharaja Temple,Amizara Parshwanath Temple,Rajimati's Cave, andSahasavan Temple.[68][69]
Shatrunjay Mahatmya, a text written by Acharya Dhaneshwarsuri, a monk of theŚvetāmbara sect ofJainism mentions thatSahasavan's original name wasSahasra-van (transl. a forest with thousands of mango trees).[70] It is the place whereNeminatha renounced the world and became an ascetic along with 1000 other kings on the 6th day of bright half ofShravan month.[71] After 54 days of becoming an ascetic,Neminatha came back toSahasavan, where he attainedomniscience on the 15th day of dark half ofBhadrapad month.[72] To commemorate the auspiciousness of both the events,Jains installed footprints of Neminatha at both these places.[73][74]
Neminatha spent many years in spreading wisdom after attaining omniscience and then he attainedMoksha on the fifth peak of Mount Girnar on the 8th day of bright half ofAshadha month.[75][76] Footprints of Neminatha were placed at the spot where he attainedmoksha to commemorate the occasion. The temple that now houses an idol ofDattatreya, in renowned archaeologistJames Burgess's archaeological survey, is said to have hadLord Neminath's sacred footprints and that it was administered by anaked ascetic (Digambara monk), implying that it was originally a Jain temple.[77] However, currently, the place of Neminatha's nirvana is disputed betweenJains and followers ofDattatreya who believe that it is also the place of Dattatreya's penance. An idol of Dattatreya was placed and a new shrine was built surrounding the footprints of Neminatha. Some cases between Jains and Hindus, seeking a reconstruction of canopies above the footprints of Neminatha and a removal of the idol of Dattatreya that was illegally established in 2004 and other illegal constructions are pending in theGujarat High Court.[78]
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This temple is dedicated to Jain deityAmbika yakshi (Ambaji), an attendant of Lord Neminath. The early temple was built before 784 CE (probably in middle of the 8th century) becauseDigambar Jain Acharya Jinasen'sHarivamsapurana (Saka Samvat 705, 783 CE) mentions the temple.[79] An inscription dated Vikram Samvat 1249 (1192 CE) mentionsVaghela ministerVastupala's pilgrimage to Ambika temple on Raivataka (Girnar) hill. Narendraprabhsuri mentions that Vastupala had installed idols of himself and his brother Tejapala in the temple. Jinharshasuri mentions that Vastupala and his brother Tejapala visited as well as built the largemandapa of the temple andparikara of Ambika.[80][81] Apraśasti eulogy given at the end in a golden lettered copy ofKalpasutra dated Vikram Samvat 1524 (1468 CE) mentions that a Jain Shreshthi (merchant) named Samal Sah restored and renovated the Ambika temple on Girnar.[80][82][81] As mentioned in Jain pilgrimage travelogues, the temple hadAmbika as a Jainyakshika deity. The Girnarpatta from Samvat 1507 inRanakpur Jain temple also depicts Ambika in the similar manner. The temple is built according to the Jain tradition and themandapa ceiling match with theGirnar Jain temples.[81]
The present temple is built around the 15th century. The temple was historically a Jain temple.[83] So the temple construction, renovation and reconstruction history extends from the mid-8th century to the 15th century.[80]
As per archaeologistJames Burgess's works on Gujarat's history, Ambika temple was not a Hindu shrine and that Jains had built it and Hindus had occupied it later.[77]
Atop Girnar's highest peak, known asNeminath Shikhar, reached by a 10,000-step climb, is a temple currently occupied by devotees of Dattatreya.[84][85] This temple, in renowned archaeologistJames Burgess's Western-India's Archeological survey, is said to have hadLord Neminath's sacred foot-idols and that it was administered by a "naked ascetic", implying that it was originally a Jain temple.[77] The Jain community has contested the ownership and worship rights of this temple in theGujarat High Court, and the matter remains under judicial consideration.[86] On the trek fromAmbika (goddess) temple to the disputed site, there's a Gorakhnath temple located on the intermediate peak.[87]
Further up there's a lower peak which is not easily accessible where a shrine of goddessMahakali is located which is also known as Mahakali Khappar by locals.[88]On the second trail to descent the mountain, there are two temples called Bharat-van and Sita-van which are located in the forests named afterSita andBharata.[89]
The base of the mountain, known as Girnar Taleti, is about 4 km east of the center of Junagadh. There are temples and other sacred places all along this stretch.[90]
The traveller, in order to reach Girnar Taleti from Junagadh city, will pass through the Wagheshwari or Vagheshwari Gate (Girnar Darwaza), which is close to theUparkot fort area, Easterly.
At about 200 metres from the gate, to the right of the road, is the Temple of Wagheshwari (Upale Vagheshwari maa), which is joined to the road by a causeway about 150 yards long. An ancient Verai Mata mandir and a modern Gayatri Shakti Peeth mandir are nearby.
About a furlong beyond this is a stone bridge, and just beyond it on the right are theAshoka's Major Rock Edicts.[91] The edicts are inscribed high up on a large, domed mass of blackgranite measuring roughly 20 feet x 30 feet. The inscription is inBrahmi script.[7]
On leaving Ashoka's edicts, the route crosses the handsome bridge over the Sona-rekha, which here forms a fine sheet of water over golden sand, then passes a number of temples, at first on the left bank of the river and then on the right, to the largest of the temples. This is dedicated to Damodar, a name ofKrishna, from Dam, a rope, because by tradition his mother in vain attempted to confine him with a rope when a child. The reservoir,Damodar Kund, at this place is accounted very sacred.[91]
Next is an old shrine ofBhavnath, a form ofShiva, close to Girnar Taleti; Mrigi kund and Sudharshan lake are nearby.
Most persons who are not active climbers will probably proceed up the mountain in a swingdoli from Taleti. A long ridge runs up from the west, and culminates in a rugged scarped rock, on the top of which are the temples. Close to the old shrine is a well called the Chadani vav.[91]
The paved way begins just beyond this and continues for two-thirds of the ascent. The first resthouse, Chadia Parab, is reached, 480 feet, above the plain; and the second halting-place at Dholi-deri, 1000 feet above the plain. From here the ascent becomes more difficult, winding under the face of the precipice to the third resthouse, 1400 feet up. The path turns to the right along the edge of a precipice, which is very narrow, so that thedoli almost grazes the scarp, which rises perpendicularly 200 feet above the traveller. On the right is seen the lofty mountain of Datar, covered with low jungle. At about 1500 feet there is a stone dharmsala, and from this there is a fine view of the rock called the Bhairav-Thampa, "the terrific leap," because devotees used to cast themselves from its top, falling 1000 feet or more.[91]
At 2370 feet above Junagadh, the gate of the enclosure known as the Deva Kota, or Ra Khengar's Palace, is reached.[91]
Currently, the highest peak of Girnar has been a matter of dispute with Jain community calling construction of Hindu temple around the ancient foot-idols ofNeminath as illegal. As per the claim, structure and idol of Dattatreya was placed illegally by Hindu pandits near the footprints in 2004. Despite theGujarat High Court order, the Hindu idol has not been removed.[92] A deadly attack using sharp weapons on JainDigambara monk was also seen in this region in January 2013.[93]
Jains have been restricted from offering prayers at the Neminath Shikhar since 2016.Girnar ropeway was also closed by the government during the day ofNeminath Nirvān Kalyanak.Jain Community, therefore accuse the government of favoring Hindu groups and failing to uphold the rule of law.
Jain festivals likeMahavir Jayanti,Paryushana, and birth and nirvana kalyanaks ofLord Neminath are celebrated byJains.[94]
The main event for Hindus is theMaha Shivaratri fair held every year on the 14th day of theHindu calendar month ofMagha. At least 1 million pilgrims visit the fair to participate inpooja andparikrama of Girnar hill. The procession begins at Bhavnath Mahadev Temple atBhavnath. It then proceeds onwards to variousakharas of various sects ofsadhus, which are in Girnar hill from ancient times. The procession of sadhus and pilgrims ends again at Bhavnath temple after visiting Madhi, Malavela and Bor Devi temple. The fair begins with hoisting of fifty-twoGaja long flags at Bhavnath Mahadev temple. This fair is the backbone of the economy of Junagadh, as more than ten lakh pilgrims who visit the fair generate a revenue of 250 million in only five days.[95][96][97]
Outside to the north of the Kumarapala's temple, there is the Bhima Kunda, a tank measuring 70 feet by 50 feet. Below it and on the verge of the cliff is a smaller tank of water and near it a small canopy supported by three roughly hewn pillars and a piece of rock containing a short octagonal stone calledHathi pagla orGajapada, the elephant foot, a stratum on the top of which is of light granite and the rest of dark the lower part is immersed in water most of the year.[98]
As per historical records, Sajjana, the minister ofChaulukya kingSiddharaja Jayasimha, built the Neminatha temple using the state treasury. When he collected the funds to return as a compensation, the king declined to accept it so the funds were used to build the temple.[99]
Sahasraphana (thousand hooded)Parshwanatha, the image which was consecrated in 1803 CE (VS 1459) by Vijayajinendra Suri, is currently the central deity in the temple. The temple originally housed the golden image of Mahavira and brass images of Shantinatha and Parshwanatha on its sides.[100]
The east facing temple has 52 small shrines surrounding the central temple. It has an open portico with ceilings with fine carvings. In thebhamti or cloisters surrounding the court, there are also some remarkable designs in carved ceilings. The roof of therangamandapa has fine carvings. The shrine proper must have been removed and replaced with new one at the end of the sixteenth century or the start of the seventeenth century. It is known that Karmachandra Bachchhavat, minister of the king ofBikaner, had sent a funds to renovate temple in Shatrunjaya and Girnar under Jinachandrasuri IV ofKharatara Gaccha during the reign ofAkbar. There is a shrine housing replica ofAshtapada hill in the south, shrine with Shatrunjayavatar in west, behind the main temple, and Samet Shikhar (or Nandishwar Dwipa) in north.[38][101]
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