![]() ![]() The temple is depicted in the Shatrunjaya-Giranar Patta dated 1451 CE (VS 1507) in Ranakpur temple so it must have built before it. Based on its architecture, Dhaky dates the temple to 15th century and notes that it is mentioned as Kharataravasahi built or restored by Bhansali Narpal Sanghavi in the old itineraries by Jain monks. Madhusudan Dhaky noted that the Merakavasahi was a small shrine somewhere near east gate of Neminatha temple while the current temple is large one and outside the north gate of the Neminatha temple. The temples is called Malekavasahi, Merakavasahi or Merakavashi due to false identification. West of Panchmeru temple, there is a large temple. It contains five sikhars or spires each enshrining quadruple images. On the north, opposite the Adabadji temple, there is Panchabai's or Panchmeru temple which was built in VS 1859. The image is in standing meditating ( kausaggiya) position On the throne of this image is a slab of yellow stone carved in 1442, with figures of the 24 Tirthankars. ![]() Of them, the temple on the south contains a colossal image of Adinatha, the first Tirthankara, exactly like that at Palitana temples. There are three temples to the left of the passage from the north porch of the Neminath temple. The south and north entrances are located between the series of shrine cells. The principal east entrance was closed in or after 19th century and converted into a room where idols are installed. The court is surrounded inside by 67 shrine cells, each enshrining a marble image on a bench, with a covered passage running round in front of them. The central temple is the largest temple of the group standing in a quadrangular floored court. On the west of mandapa, there is a closed west entrance with a porch overhanging the perpendicular scarp of the hill. It houses two small raised platforms paved with slabs of yellow stone, covered with representations of feet in pairs called padukas, which represent the feet of the 420 Ganadharas, first disciples of Tirthankaras. Ī new second mandapa (outer hall) was added to the west of the Gudhamandapa in 17th century in place of previously existing pau-mandapa. The exterior of the Gudhamandapa is also simple and sparsely carved. The ceiling is of about 15 feet in diametre with carved black stone in multiple layers. There are vestibules on north and south leading to gates and east leading to sanctum. The roof of the Gudhamandapa (principal hall) in front of the Mulaprasada is supported by 22 square columns of granite. It contains a large black image of Neminath. The exterior of the temple is sparsely carved. The Mulprasada is of sandhara style, the sanctum having a circumambulatory passage ( pradakshina) around it. The central temple has three components Mulaprasada (central shrine) and two halls: Gudhamandapa (principal hall) and second mandapa (outer hall). It is west-facing and built from black-grey granite. It is built in Māru-Gurjara architecture (Solaṅkī style). The Neminath temple was rebuilt completely by Sajjana, the governor of Saurashtra appointed by Jayasimha Siddharaja of Chaulukya dynasty, in 1129 CE. These temples are along the west face of the hill, and are all enclosed. Some 16 Jain temples here form a sort of fort on the ledge at the top of the great cliff. Situated on the first plateau of Mount Girnar at the height of about 3800 steps, at an altitude of 2370 ft above Junagadh, still some 600 ft below the first summit of Girnar, there are Jain temples with marvelous carvings in marble. ![]() Girnar was anciently called Raivata or Ujjayanta, sacred amongst the Jains to Neminath, the 22nd Tirthankar, and a place of pilgrimage before 250 BCE. Girnar along with Ashtapad, Shikharji, Dilwara Temples of Mount Abu and Shatrunjaya are known as Śvētāmbara Pancha Tirth (five principal pilgrimage shrine). His bride-to-be Rajulmati also renounced and became a nun, further followed him to the sacred mountain. He attained omniscience and Moksha (Nirvana) from highest peak of Mount Girnar. He renounced all worldly pleasures and came to Mount Girnar to attain salvation. Seeing this he realised that due his wedding thousands of animals were to be killed. These temples are sacred to both Digambara and the Svetambara branches of Jainism.Īccording to Jain religious beliefs, Neminath also called Arishtanemi, the 22nd Tirthankara became an ascetic after he saw that animals were tied to be slaughtered for the feast on his wedding were crying and screaming to be released. The group of temples of Jainism are situated on the Mount Girnar situated near Junagadh in Junagadh district, Gujarat, India.
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