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give me history of neminayja bhagwan in girnar
Neminath Bhagwan, also known as Arishtanemi, is the 22nd Tirthankar of Jainism. In the Girnar tradition, his life is closely tied to Mount Girnar in the Junagadh district of Gujarat, where he is believed to have attained kevala-jnana (omniscience) and moksha (liberation) on the highest peak, Neminath Shikhar.
Key points about the history at Girnar:
- Birth and renunciation: Neminath was born to the Yadu dynasty in the ancient city of Sauripura/Dvaraka. On the eve of his wedding, he renounced worldly life after witnessing the suffering of animals to be sacrificed, choosing the path of asceticism. He then came to Mount Girnar, where he deepened his practice and attained omniscience. This connection to Girnar makes the site one of the most sacred for Jains.
- Moksha on Girnar: After long austerities, Neminath attained moksha on the mountains of Girnar, and his footprints (vishwa-shil) are revered at the site. The central temple complexes on Girnar commemorate his life and final liberation.
- Temples on Girnar: The Neminath temple on Girnar is the premier shrine among the Girnar Jain temples and is associated with the Solanki-era reconstruction and earlier legends of Arishtanemi. The temple history is tied to a long tradition of patronage by various kings and guilds over centuries.
Different Jain traditions (Digambar vs. Shwetambar):
- There are variations in how each tradition phrases certain legends and names, but both agree on Neminath’s renunciation at Girnar and his moksha there. The Swetambar tradition, in particular, is highlighted in some Girnar accounts for naming and festival lore connected with Neminath on the hill.
Sources on JainKnowledge:
