Mt. Girnar - Amazing place with beautiful temples - Joshi D (recommended ebook reader TXT) 📗

Mt. Girnar - Pride of Junagadh

Junagadh city, in the state of Gujarat, lies some 100 km inland from Diu on the southern tip of the Saurashtra peninsula. An ancient fortified city, with a chequered past, it has an interesting mix of mosques, Hindu temples, Buddhist monuments, Gothic archways and beautiful mansions - not forgetting the splendid Jain Temples on Girnar hill (4 km east). The town gets its name from the 'old fort', which encircles the medieval part of the city.     Junagadh, then called Girnar, was the capital of Gujarat under the Mauryas from the 4th century BC until the reign of Emperor Ashoka who embraced Buddhism. After his death (c 226 BC), it passed into the successive control of the Kshatrapas, Guptas and finally the Chudasanas. Hindu dominance lasted till around the middle ages, when Muslim invaders established their supremacy. It remained under Muslim rule till India's independence. Then, in keeping with the wishes of the local population, and contrary to those of the ruling Nawab of Junagadh, it became part of the Indian Union of States.     You could start your tour of the city by visiting 'Uparkot', or 'Upper Fort', an ancient fort in the eastern part. It is an imposing monument believed to date back to 319BC when Chandragupta built it. The fort has a long and bloody history and was laid siege to 16 times. The fort was ultimately abandoned in the 7/8th centuries and the surrounding jungles reclaimed it. An ornate triple entrance gateway leads to the ruins inside where lies the 'Nilamtope'- a cannon acquired by the Nawab of Junagadh from a Turkish sultan, the 'Adi Chadi Vav' and 'Naughan Kuva' - two step wells, the latter with a superb staircase winding down to the water level over 52 metres below and 1500-year old Buddhist caves.     The Jami Masjid is an old mosque whose high roof is supported by 140 pillars many of which were taken from the Chudasana Palace.A visit to the boldly decorated 'Maqbara' on Mahatma Gandhi road would be time well spent. This is a group of mausoleums built for the Muslim rulers in the 19th century. The most opulent of the lot is the tomb of Mahabat Khan I built in 1892. The mausoleum stands out with its imposing carved silver doors, its minarets and its winding staircases. You could also stop off at the Durbar Hall Museum where its collection of memorabilia from the royal courts, silver chains, thrones, crystal chandeliers, palanquins and elephant howdahs makes interesting viewing.     On the way to Girnar you pass the famous Ashoka's Edicts, a huge boulder engraved with 14 edicts of emperor Ashoka dating back to 250 BC. These are written in the Brahmi script of the Pali language and encourage people to follow the tenets of Buddhism. On the same boulder you also see inscriptions in Sanskrit, which were added by later rulers describing recurrent floods in the area, which destroyed the embankments of the nearby Sudershan Lake (which no longer exists).     The high point of your stop in Junagadh would be a visit to Girnar Hill. It is one of two hills most sacred to the Jains and is topped by a cluster of 16 beautifully carved marble shrines. Starting from the sacred Damodar Kund, you climb 10,000 steps to reach the summit. The climb will take at least two hours. So do make a very early start (preferably at dawn) and beat the sun! Mercifully, there are several refreshment stalls along the way! 

 

Girnar is one of the holiest places in Gujarat, situated near Junagadh at a distance of 327 from Ahmedabad. It is a holy place and an important pilgrimage for both Hindus and Jains. There are a number of temples located here, which have converted it into a township of temples. Amidst the lush green Gir Forest, the mountain range serves as the hub of religious activity. Apart from this, there is a mosque attracting many Muslim pilgrims to the place. This has made Girnar a perfect example of unity in diversity in India.

 

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 of Jainism.

History of..

 

Mt.Girnar - (also known as Girnar Hill or Girinagar or Revatak Pravata)

Elevation

1,031 m (3,383 ft)

Location

Location

Bhavnath, Junagadh, India

Range

Giri Taleti

Coordinates

21°29′41″N 70°30′20″E

 

Older than Himalayas, Girnar, the mountain and its range are considered sacred and it's an important pilgrimage site for both Jains and Hindus, who gather here during the Girnar Parikrama festival. Significantly famous among Shiva devotees for the mystic space-time of the mountain range with known presence and turnover of different sects of Sadhu Babas, Nath sect, different Jain Tirthankaras to Girnar, its typical flora and fauna, the famous Maha Shivratri fair, Girnar hosts a number of temples and some historical spots across its range. Amidst the lush green Gir Forest, the mountain range serves as the hub of religious activity.

For Hindus this place is considered holy as Dattatreya stayed there. According to tradition, Pavahari Baba was first initiated into the mysteries of practical yoga on the top of mount Girnar. This mountain was considered holy to Buddhists as wel

 

Starting Point - Damo Kund

 

 

 

 

The steps begin at Domdar Kund, near the Damodar and Baldvji temples. The 15th-century poet Narsinh Mehta used to bathe here, and supposedly composed most of his morning hymns, the prabhatiya, here. As you ascend the stone path that connects the temples along the 5 summits, you will pass temples of many different sects of Hinduism. The Bhavnath temple, early on, is dedicated to Shiva, where the “naked sadhus” come to celebrate Shivaratri. After 4000 steps up, 800 steps before the first summit, you reach a plateau with a Jain temple complex. Among these temples, which date from the 12th to 16th centuries, is the site where Neminath, the 22nd tirthankar of Jainism, died after 700 years of ascetic meditation. 2000 steps further on, the temple of Amba Mata (the Mother Goddess) is visited by Hindus, Jains, and newlyweds seeking blessings for a happy marriage. These last 2000 steps are intimidating but well worth the trip for the spectacular panoramic views from the summit. Then the stone trail continues, 1000 steps down and 1000 steps back up, to reach the other summits. The last of which houses a temple to Kalika, where the Aghora ascetics smear themselves with funeral ashes.

Though people will offer to carry you up the stairs (for a hefty price), the real experience of Girnar is to be found in walking. Pilgrimage is not about arriving, but about traveling. Start early in the morning, carry plenty of water, and stop for rest often during the hot hours of the day, and your climb of Mt. Girnar will be fruitful.

 

It is best to start the climb in the morning. Bhavnath Shiv temple is the first shrine on the upward path. Bhartruhari cave, Sorath Mahal, Bhim Kund and Suryakund are the other important places. Gomukkhi Kund has pellucid water fed by a mountain stream. Hanuman Dharaand Kamandal are the other attraction.

 

 

 

Temples of Mt. Girnar

 There are a number of temples located here. All temples of Girnar are sacred to pilgrims of both Jain and Hindu faith.

 

HINDU TEMPLES :-

 

 

 

Dattatreya Paduka - To reach here, you have to climb 9999 stairs to reach here. This is a holy place for Hindus and one of the most ancient, Lord Dattatreya, performed tapa for around 12000 years on this peak. Dattatreya or Datta is a Hindu Deity encompassing the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, collectively known as Trimurti. The name Dattatreya can be divided into two words - "Datta" (meaning given) and "Atreya" referring to the sage Atri, his physical father). Mata Ambaji, at 5000 stairs. Ambaji:  The famous temple of Goddess Ambaji. It is believed that this temple temple was built during the Gupta era. Gorakhnath:  This is the highest peak of Girnar Hill on which is the Dhuna of Gorkhnathji, the famous and renowned saint of Nath seet. Oghad Ansuya:  The Oghad and Ansuya peaks are difficult to approach yet worth visiting. Kamandalkund:  The step way switch from between Gorakhnath and Dattatray and winds its way descending to a lovely and beautiful place called Kamandalkund.

 

Temples of.. conted.