Siddhakshetras or site of liberation of an arihant (kevalin) or Tirthankaras.
GIRNAAR JI
Girnar (also known as Girnar Hill or Girinagar) is a collection of mountains in the Junagadh District of Gujarat, India, situated near Junagadh at a distance of 327 km from Ahmedabad. It is a holy place and an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Jains, who gather here during the Girnar Parikrama festival. There are a number of temples located here. Amidst the lush green Gir Forest, the mountain range serves as the hub of religious activity.
Shri Girnar Tirth is 5 kms from Junagarh District of Gujarat. Junagarh is connected by rail to Rajkot.
Girnar Hill is a mountain range 3100 feet high from the sea-level near Junagarh at a distance of 327 km from Ahmedabad. The five peaks of Girnar are topped by 866 intricately carved stone temples. The temples situated on the mountain make its top look like a village of temples.
There are roughly 8,000 steps from the trailhead to the last temple on the highest peak.
Girnar Hill is a famous Jain sidhh kshetra and a holy pilgrimage for both Jainism and Hinduism. The nearby Gir Forest is sanctuary for the famous Asiatic Lions.
The Jain temples at Girnar attract devotees of both Shwetambar and Digambar sects of Jainism. The Neminath Temple is the main attraction of Girnar. It was built during 1128 AD to 1159 AD. The main temples are of Lord Neminath, Mallinath temple and Rishabhadev Temple. Baghwan Neminath temple is the greatest temple on Girnar.
Neminath Temple
The 22nd Tirthankara Neminath 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. In the rectangular Neminath temple there is an idol of Lord Neminath in black granite with jeweled eyes. There are quadrangle courtyards, corridors and other shrines in the temple. The pillars are adorned with intricate carvings of Jain Tirthankars. The ceilings bear carvings and sculptures of Dancing Goddesses. His bride -to be also followed his path of salvation and founded the Sandhvi Sangh.
Mallinath temple
The Mallinath temple of the 19th Tirthankar Mallinath was constructed by Vastupal and Tejpal in 1231 AD. The idol of Bagnwan Mallinath is shown in blue color 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
Tonks
There are 5 tonks on the hill. One has to climb 4400 steps to reach first tonk; 900 steps from 1st to 2nd tonk; 700 steps fron 2nd to 3rd; 2500 steps for 3rd to 5th and 1499 steps from 1st to sahartaramavan. 3rd to 4 th tonk is to be covered on natural way climbing the stones.
First Tonk: The first Tonk is that of Tirthankar Neminath. After climb of about 2 miles, one could see a digamabar jain temple and a cave called rajulmati cave where Rajulmati has done penanace and tap at this place. There is samll temple where 120 cms idol of Bhagwan Bahubali and 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.
Second tonk: The second Tonk is that of Shree Ambaji. After 900 steps there are the footprints of muni Anirudhhkumat and temple of Devi Ambika
Third tonk: The third Tonk is called 'Oghad Shikhar' where the foot-prints of Lord Neminath have been ceremoniously installed. Here the footprints of Muni Sambukkumar are installed, who attained nirvana here.
Fourth tonk: Here the footprints of pradhyman kumar-son of lord krishna are installed who attained nirvana from this place.
Fifth tonk: Here the footprints of Bhagwan Neminath are installed and an digamabar idol of Bhagwan neminath on this tonk.