give me history of neminath bhagwan in girnar

Neminath Bhagwan, the 22nd Tirthankar in Jainism, is closely linked with Mount Girnar in Junagadh, Gujarat. At Girnar, the Neminath (Arishtanemi) temple stands as the most prominent Jain shrine among the group of Girnar temples. Here is a simple, authentic outline of his history as celebrated in Jain tradition:

• Diksha and Moksha on Girnar: According to Jain belief, Neminath renounced the world (took Diksha) on Mount Girnar after witnessing animals being slain for his wedding feast. He later attained omniscience and Moksha on the top of Girnar, making it a Siddha Kshetra (place of liberation) for him. This is why Girnar is revered not only as a pilgrimage site but as the place of his final liberation. You will find this central idea clearly stated in Jain knowledge sources about Girnar.

• The main temple at Girnar: The oldest portion of the present Neminath temple (Karnavihara in earlier times) was rebuilt by Sajjana, the governor of Saurashtra under the Solanki rulers, in the 12th century. This reconstruction is repeatedly noted in traditional chronicles and inscriptions, and it established the structure that stands today as the foremost temple among Girnar’s Jain shrines.

• Legends connected with the site:

- A legend from Vividha Tirtha Kalpa speaks of Ratnasar, who, after an idol of Neminath in clay melted during abhiseka, fasted for 21 days and was granted a stone idol of Neminath by Ambika. This story is part of the temple’s early priestly lore and ties the location to the early cult of Arishtanemi. - The site is also associated with footprints (Chinmayan) and various legends about the Siddha Shila on Girnar, where Neminath is believed to have attained moksha. These traditions are part of the broader Girnar temple narratives.

• The temple complex today: The Neminath temple on Girnar is part of a larger ensemble of shrines and 67 or more chapels around the hill. The architecture is Māru-Gurjara (Solanki-style), and the central sanctum houses a black image of Neminath. The area is a major Jain pilgrimage center, especially for followers of the Shvetambara tradition, with historical ties to Digambar narratives as well. For a concise historical account, see the Girnar information page.

If you’d like, I can share a short, simple summary in a few lines suitable for a devotional note or a travel card.