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Mount (Mt.) Girnar is in ((Junagadh)) district of ((Gujarat)) in India. It is a sacred hill to both the Hindus and Jains. It was known by different names at different periods popular among them were Ujjayant, Manipur, Chandraketupur, Raivat Nagar, Puratanpur, Girivar and Girnar. The Jains call it Mt. Neminath. It has seven peaks out of which five are considered to be most important Amba Mata, Gorakhnath, Augadh, Guru Datatreya and Kalika. According to traditional history of Girnar, ((Siddhas)) have used it as a retreat to undertake tapasya since ancient times. This 3660 feet hill is associated with Lord Krishna. When Kalayavan was chasing him, the Lord got the better of the powerful adversary in a curious way. Raja Muchkund was sleeping in one of the caves of Raivatachal mountain (the ancient name for Girnar.) He was taking rest after fighting on behalf of the gods. After his exertions Muchkund had only one desire that is to rest and repose. He hat got a boon that whoever would make him awake would be reduced to ashes at the moment he would opened his eyes and see him. This boon was known to Lord Krishna. He kept running away from Kalyavan and led him to the cave where the king was sleeping. Krishna covered Muchkund with his upper cloth. Kalyavan after the long chase mistook the sleeping figure for Krishna and woke him up and was reduced to ashes. The pilgrims have to climb 4000 steps to reach the top. There are also five important Jain temples here, besides several Hindu shrines. The most prominent Jain shrine is the rectangular Neminath temple which was completed between 1128 and 1159. Neminath (the 22th Tirthankar) is carved in black marble with jewelled eyes. The courtyard is filled with sculptures. The Mallinath temple dedicated to the 19th Tirthankar was built in 1231 by Vastupal and Tejpal. Neminath is shown in blue colour. The Rishabhadev temple in golden colour has 24 Tirthankars. The Parshwanath temple was built in the 15th century. It is known as Meravasi. The Dattatreya hill is half way down the temple cluster. Bhavnath Shiv temple is the first shrine on the upward path. Bhartrihari cave, Sorath Mahal, Bhim Kund and Suryakund are the other places of interest. Gomukkhi Kund has pellucid water fed by a mountain stream. Hanuman Dharaand Kamandal is also frequented by devotees.

Page last modified on Sunday November 4, 2007 13:52:33 GMT-0000