Girnar- Mountain of Peace

જેના કણ કણ માં સાધના ના સ્પંદનો નિરંતર ધપકી રહ્યા છે.જેની પવિત્રા અને મહતા આજે પણ દેવો ને આકર્ષી રહ્યા છે.

જેની ગિરિ ઘ્નાદ્રો માં પડઘાતું મૌન દિવ્ય સંદેશા રેલાવી રહ્યું છે.એ પવન પાવન તીર્થ એટલે ગિરનાર મહા તીર્થ।

અહીં અનંત તીર્થંકરો ના અનંત કલ્યાણક થી પાવન પરમાણુનો પવિત્ર ગુંજ છે.

અહીં દાન શીલ તપાધિ  ધર્મ ની કેવળની માટે નું ઉદ્યાન છે.

અહીં અનેક ચમત્કારી ગુરુબુટ્ટીઓ નો ભંડાર છે.

અંબિકામાતા ની ઉપાસના નો આધાર ઇન્દ્ર નિર્મિત દેવલોક માં પૂજિત અબજો વર્ષો પ્રાચીન નેમિનાથ દાદા ની પ્રતિમા એ ગિરનારજી નો શણગાર છે.

સજ્જનમંત્રી નું યોગદાન,ભાર શ્રાવક નું બલિદાન,પેથડશાહ મંત્રી ની સમર્પિતતા,ભીમ સાથરીયા ની ઉદારતા,રત્નસાર શ્રાવક ની પ્રભુ ભક્તિ અને હિમાંશુસુરિદાદા ની તીર્થભક્તિ.

આ ઉમદા ભાવો ને સ્પર્શવા એક વાર તો આવો ગિરનાર

અંતર થી સરી પડશે ઉદઘાર નેમિનાથ ગિરી શણઘાર

 જય  જય  ગરવો ગિરનાર  

Gajpadkund (Elephant feet reservoir)

The one who touches the great shrine of Shatrunjay, bows down to the great mountains of Girnar (Raivatgiri) and takes a bath in the Gajpad reservoir, is freed from the cycle of birth and death. Gajpad reservoir is also known as Gajendrapad or Hathi Pagla reservoir (Gaj or Hathi means Elephant and Pad or Pagla means foot prints). This reservoir is referenced in almost every Jain scripture or document related to Girnar created in the 13-15th centuries. Besides that, it is also referenced in the Prabhaskhand of Skandpuran. In one of the pillars of this reservoir, one can see the engravings of a Jain idol.

According to the scripture Shatrunjay Mahatmya, at the time of consecration of Lord Neminath’s main idol, along with Emperor Bharat Chakravarti and the chief disciples of Tirthankar, even Indra, the king of all celestial beings, had come riding his Airavan Elephant to witness the ceremony. One of the rituals in the consecration ceremony is bathing the idol with water and in order to carry out this anointment, Indra had his Airavan elephant press one of its legs firmly into the soil, thus creating a huge dent or depression in which water from all the special rivers of the entire universe had flown. Such was his devotion, that Indra used this special water for the bathing ceremony of Lord Neminath’s idol.

Consuming or bathing with this potent water eliminates several diseases. Even serious diseases like cough, asthma, tuberculosis, leprosy and jalodar are cured. The one who bathes in this water and then uses this water for bathing the idol of the Lord is destined for eventual liberation as it destroys ones karmas as well.

Celestial beings ensure that 14000 rivers empty their waters into this reservoir, making it a very pious reservoir. The water of this reservoir is very sweet and pure like fresh ghee (clarified butter). According to some stone inscriptions found dating back to Vikram Samvat year 1215, a wall was constructed surrounding this reservoir and several idols including that of goddess Ambika were installed therein.

Upon returning from Gajpadkund, one can come to the road near the main entrance of Uparkot (aka Dev kot) by entering from the window of Kumarpal summit and exiting from Lord Neminath summit. Right across this main entrance is a tourist rest house called Manoharbhuvan. Crossing the rooms of this rest house, one can take the way to Mansang Bhojraj temple via Suraj reservoir.

Lord Neminath Background

By the time of Mahabharat some socio-political and religious conditions in India had deteriorated. Ethical values, e.g. standards of restraints, monogamy etc. which were set up during Ramayan period, had been neglected. Polygamy was almost the order of the day and some rulers and men of means used to marry as many wives as they could afford. Even the old people with grown up sons did not hesitate to marry young girls. There were also cases of polyandry. Rulers were getting powerful. They were maintaining large armies and used to wage wars for expanding their territories.

Jarasangh, the king of Magadh was the most powerful king. He was aspiring to become the lord of the entire Bharatkhand. Most of the other rulers vied with each other for his favor. There were also tyrant kings like Kans who could show utmost cruelty to the persons suspected of being against his interests. Hunting was the favorite pastime of warrior class and gambling was considered respectable game. Animals were sacrificed on the altar of religious rites and non-vegetarianism had become popular. It was the right time for a great saint to come forth and teach religion afresh.

Yadav clan had mostly settled on the bank of Yamuna. Mathura and Shauripuri in the present western Uttar Pradesh were their major centers of concentration. Yadav prince Samudravijay was ruling over Shauripuri, his wife’s name was Shivadevi. They had a son named Nemikumar, who was born sometimes before Mahabharat. He was the future Jina Lord Neminath. When he was in the womb of his mother, she had dreamt of series of black jewels called Arishta. Therefore he is also known as Arishtanemi. Neminath was a cousin and close associate of Shri Krishna.

Like Shri Krishna, Nemikumar too was dark complexioned, but handsome and charming. Many girls were attracted towards him. Nemikumar was however introvert and did not develop much attachment for the worldly life. He stayed more introspective as he was inclined towards spiritual life.

At that time, Ugrasen was the king of Junagadh which is situated at the foot of Mount Girnar in Saurashtra. By his wife Dharini he had a daughter who was named Rajimati. She was popularly known as Rajul. She grew to be a very beautiful and graceful young girl. Many princes and other promising youths were eager to marry her.

When she came to know of Nemikumar, she got enamored of him and desired to marry him. Ugrasen thereupon sent the offer of her marriage to Nemikumar. This was a welcome proposal for Yadav chiefs. With considerable efforts, friends and family members of Nemikumar therefore persuaded him to accept the offer. Everyone was happy by his acceptance since Nemikumar and Rajul could make an ideal couple. The two were then officially engaged and a mutually convenient auspicious day was fixed for their wedding ceremony.

Sangram Soni Derasar in Girnar

Sangram Soni who was a merchant by profession in Siddhpur area of Patan district had built this temple. It is said that Sangram Soni donated 36000 Gold coins to the knowledge library corresponding to the 36000 questions in Bhagwati Sutra (Jain Agam). Using this money, Kalpa Sutra and other sacred Jain literature were written with golden ink.

Coming out of Merakvasi's Toonk, one can reach Sangram Soni's Toonk from the Northern side's entrance. The main temple of this marvellous 52 idol temple area has a two storey Rangmandap It has nice provision for seating the ladies in the upper storey during proceedings. The main deity is Lord Sahastraphana Parshwanath's 29 inch idol. It was established in V.S. 1859 on Jeth Sud 7 on Thursday by Acharya JinendraSuri Maharaj. The shrine of this temple is known to be the tallest amongst all the temples located on Girnar.

                          JAI NEMINATH JAI GIRNAR 

THE TEMPLE OF LORD NEMINATH

This magnificant and lofty done shaped temple of Lord Neminath has a 41.6 feet wide and 44.6 feet wide courtyard.The stunning 61 inches high idol of Lord Neminath- the Jewel of Girnar is installed in the sactrum. Just by catching a Glimpse of this Tranquil and captivating Blacck colored idol, tired Pilgrims are noot just revived from the weariness of the Climb but the exhaustion oof their Constant Birth and Death Cycle is also Forgotten.

This main idol of Lord Neminath is currently the most ancient idol in the entire world about 20 Koda kodi Sagaropams old.Head of the Celestial beings of the fifth heaven- Brahmendra has got this idol made during the Era of Lord Sagar- Third Tirthankar in the Previous Cycle of 24 Tirthankars. 

CHAUMUKHJI TEMPLE IN GIRNAR

CHAUMUKHJI TEMPLE IN GIRNAR :- (LORD NEMINATH-25 INCHES)

In the Chaumukhji Temple, there are four idols,each facing one of the four directions.

Currently, facing North is the idol is the idol of Lord Neminath, East is Lord Shuparshwanath,facing south is Lord Chandraprabha Swami and West facing is the idol of Lord munisuvrat Swami.

There are inscription at the base platform indicated that these were consercated in the Vikrant Samvat Year 1511 by Acharya Jinharshsuriji.

This Temple is also goes by the name of Shamla Parshwanath.

Inside the temple, one can see four pillars standing on four corners of the inner platform, each having idols of 24 Tirthankars on it, totalling to 96 idols in all.These four pillars resemble the “Chauri” used in marriage ceremonies.hence this temple is also Known as Chauriwala Temple.