Standing tall at 3672 feet, Girnar is an ancient hill in Junagadh. This centuries old hill is covered with 866 Hindu and Jain temples that are spread over the summits. One will have to climb 9999 steps to reach the final summit. Trek to Girnar Hill starts from Girnar Taleti.
Places that one will come across on a trek to Girnar Hill are Domdar Kund, near the Damodar and Baldvji temples. Historians say that 15th-century poet Narsinh Mehta used to bath in the Domdar Kund and composed many of its beautiful hymns here. As one walks through the rocky paths to visit other summits, travellers will across many temples of different sects of Hinduism. In this series of temples, one will come across Bhavnath Temple where one can see 'naked sadhus' that come to celebrate Shivratri. After 4000 steps up, 800 steps before the first summit, one will reach a plateau with a Jain temple complex.
Hindu Pilgrimage SitesGirnar Hill holds a special place for the Hindu devotees. Dattatreya Paduka, an ancient temple located on 9,999 step of Girnar Hill, is the most revered site for Hindu. Locals say that Paduka of Guru "Dattatreya" is resting on the uppermost tonk of the Girnar. As per the facts, Guru Dattatreya is the incarnation of the three Hindu gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The place is visited by naga sadhus. Many of the sadhus claim that they have seen the sights of Guru Dattatreya. Gorakshanath Temple, Dattatreya Temple, and Amba Mata Temple are some other temples that are other Hindu Temples that are worth visiting.
Jain Pilgrimage SitesJain pilgrims call Girnar as Mount Neminath. The Group of temples on the top of the Girnar hill is sacred to both Digambar and Shwetambar, two main sects of Jainism. Girnar Hill has been an important site for Jains since the 3rd century.
Mentioned below are some Jain temples that can be seen on Girhal hill.
Tirthankara Neminath temple
Tirthankara Neminath temple is one the largest temple that is sacred to Bhagavân Neminath (22nd Jain Tirthankar). Historians say that Neminath became an ascetic in this temple when he saw the slaughter of animals for his food on his wedding day. 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. Inside the Neminath temple, one can see the black granite idol of Lord Neminath with jeweled eyes. Pillars of the temples are adorned with intricate carvings of Jain Tirthankars.
Other Jain temples
There are other Jain temples in the Girnar Hills namely Baghwan Rishabhadev Temple, Mallinath Temple and Baghwan Parshwanath Temple. Baghwan Rishabhadev Temple can be distinguished easily because of its gold color architecture. Baghwan Parshwanath Temple, also known as Meravasi, was built in the 15th century.