ACHALAMGirnar: the tirth of Bhagwan Neminath
Girnar (Raivatgiri, Ujjayant) near Junagadh in Saurashtra is the tirth of Bhagwan Neminath, the 22nd Tirthankar. Here he took diksha, attained kevalgyan and attained moksh.
Bhagwan Neminath and Girnar
On the day of his wedding to Rajimati, Prince Neminath heard the cries of animals kept to be killed for the feast. Moved by their suffering, he turned back, gave up the world and took diksha at Sahasavan on Girnar, where he later attained kevalgyan. Rajimati followed him and became a sadhvi. He attained moksh on the summit of Girnar.
His kalyanaks in the Achalgachchh panchang: diksha Shravan Sud 6 (Sat, 7 Aug 2027), kevalgyan Bhadarvo Vad 30 (Wed, 29 Sep 2027), moksh Ashadh Sud 8 (Sat, 10 Jul 2027).
The derasars
- Neminath derasar: the largest and oldest, with a large black image of Bhagwan Neminath. It was rebuilt in 1129 CE by Sajjan, the governor of Saurashtra under King Siddharaj Jaysinh.
- Vastupal-Tejpal derasar: a triple temple completed in 1232 CE by the minister brothers Vastupal and Tejpal, with Bhagwan Mallinath in the centre.
- More derasars stand around them on the first plateau, among them the Parshvanath derasar with 52 small shrines.
- Sahasavan: the place of Bhagwan Neminath's diksha and kevalgyan, reached by a separate path.
- Rajimati's cave, and Ambika Devi, the shasan devi of Bhagwan Neminath, on the second peak.
The climb
The steps start at Bhavnath Taleti, Junagadh. The Jain derasars are on the first plateau, at about 3,800 steps. The path continues to the higher peaks. Start very early; dolis are available. The yatra was renewed by many patrons over the centuries, among them the Lalan brothers of Jamnagar, followers of Yugpradhan Dadashri Kalyansagarsuri.
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Questions people ask
Which Tirthankar is Girnar related to?
Bhagwan Neminath, the 22nd Tirthankar. His diksha, kevalgyan and moksh kalyanaks happened at Girnar.
How many steps to the Jain temples at Girnar?
About 3,800 steps from Bhavnath Taleti to the derasars on the first plateau.
Who built the Neminath temple at Girnar?
It was rebuilt in 1129 CE by Sajjan, governor of Saurashtra under King Siddharaj Jaysinh.
What is Sahasavan?
The place on Girnar where Bhagwan Neminath took diksha and attained kevalgyan.
ACHALAM
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Sources: Achal Gaccha (Wikipedia) · Aryarakshitsuri (Wikipedia) · Kalyansagarsuri (Wikipedia) · Achalgach, CVO DJM · Palitana temples (Wikipedia) · Girnar Jain temples (Wikipedia) · Bhadreshwar Jain Temple (Wikipedia) · Kothara and Naliya tirth, jainsite.com. Something not right? The samaj office can write to us at [email protected].