Gujarat Tourism
A unique expedition around Junagadh city, a trek to Girnar Hill summit, is a highly religious and equally adventurous activity around Gir in Gujarat. A height of approximately 1100 metres reached by climbing 10,000 steps, is accompanied by adorable landscapes from various viewpoints and many pious temples. Around 5 kilometres of up trek with few steep climbs leads to some prominent Jain and Hindu temples of Gujarat. There are over 800 temples on the Girnar Hill. The trek starts from the Girnar Taleti and ends at the summit which has the Jain temple of Neminath and a Hindu temple Guru Dattatreya.
History
Girnar Hill is a part of the hill ranges of Gir considered older than the Himalayas. These hills have hundreds of centuries-old temples and have a significant pilgrimage history even older than the 3rd century BC. Some evidence suggests building of a lake by the emperor Chandragupta of the Mauryan empire. Some rocks have edicts from ruler Ashoka from the same Mauryan empire on these hills. However, the most significant history of these hills is associated with Jains. It gained importance as a Jain pilgrimage site around 250 BCE. However, most Jain temples on the hills were constructed between the 9th and 13th century CE. Hindu temples were constructed contemporarily by various rulers in history.
Jain Pilgrimage Site on Girnar Hill
Girnar Hill is a prominent Jain pilgrimage and has numerous Jain temples in between the trek and on the summit. In fact, two-thirds of the summit is covered by Jain complexes. The most notable Jain temple is the 12th-century temple dedicated to the 22nd Tirthankara, Neminath. Another beautiful architectural complex, the 12th-century triple temple of Mallinath, is a significant attraction on the hill.
Hindu Pilgrimage Sites on Girnar Hill:
The most prominent Dattatreya temple is a prominent Hindu temple which is dedicated to the Hindu God Dattatreya which is believed to be a combined form of Tridev - Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. Ambaji Temple is another revered site visited by newlyweds to get blessing for happy marriage. Gorakhnath temple on 1100 metres is yet another Hindu site site to witness on the Girnar Hill trek.
