Neminath Jain Temple, Girnar

Temple in 1911, from northeast

Brihadswayambhustotra, a text dated c. 600 CE by Digambara poet Samantabhadra, mentions an existence of footprints of Arishtanemi on Girnar. The temple with an idol was built later.[1] Replacing the older structure, the oldest part of the present temple was built by Sajjana, the governor of Saurashtra, appointed by Jayasimha Siddharaja of the Chaulukya dynasty, in VS 1185 (1129 CE).[2][3][4] This reconstruction was first mentioned by Vijaysensuri. There are several prabandhas mentioning the reconstruction with minute variations. According to Merutunga's Prabandhachintamani, Sajjana had used three years worth of revenue income from Saurashtra region to rebuild the temple instead of crediting it to the royal treasury. Siddharaja inquired the issue during his return from pilgrimage to Somnath temple. Sajjana had told Jains of Vanthali to raise the fund for the return. When Siddharaja visited the temple, he was told that the temple is named Karnavihara after his father Karna which pleased him and he approved the spending. There was an inscription on the stone near the south gate mentioning the word Karnayatan a century ago which is now lost.[5]

Merutunga also mentions that Sajjana had replaced the previously existing wooden temple but no other work corroborates it. According to Vijaysensuri, the amalasaraka (top of the spire) of the temple was gilded by Bhavad of Malwa around the 12th century.[6] Shanraja-shila-prashasti (VS 1509–10, 1453–54 CE) , an inscription mentions that Chudasama king Mandalika I had gilded the temple with gold plates.[6][7] Harpal Shah of Khambhat renovated the temple in VS 1449 (1393 CE) on the instruction of Jayatilaksuri of Brihat-Tapa-Gaccha.[6]

Plan of the temple

Neminath temple among other Jain temples in the cluster, from east

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The central Neminath temple is built in Māru-Gurjara architecture (Solaṅkī style).[4][1] It is west-facing and built from black-grey granite. The central temple has three components; mulaprasada (central shrine) and two halls: gudhamandapa (principal hall) and second mandapa (outer hall).[1]

The mulaprasada is of sandhara style, the sanctum having a circumambulatory passage (pradakshina) around it. The exterior of the temple is sparsely carved.[1] It contains a large black image of Neminath sitting in the lotus position holding a conch in his palm.[8][9] The circumambulatory passage has many images in white marble including that of a Ganesha and a chovishi or slab of the 24 Tirthankara.[8][9]

The gudhamandapa (principal hall) in front of the mulaprasada measures 41' 7" by 44' 7" inside from the central shrine door to the door leading out at the west end. The roof is supported by 22 square columns of granite coated with white lime and covered in marble.[9][10] There are vestibules in the north and south sides leading to doors and in the east side leading to the sanctum.[10] The ceiling, measuring about 15 feet (4.6 m) in diameter, is made of black stone carved in multiple layers. There are 16 images installed in the ceiling.[10] The exterior of the gudhamandapa is also simple and sparsely carved.[10] The floor is tessellated marble.[9] The niches in the walls of the gudhamandapa has idols of Hemachandra, Kumarapala and Shantisuri of Kunjarapadriya Gaccha (dated VS 1275, 1219 CE).[11] On the pillars of the gudhamandapa there are inscriptions dated VS 1333 (1278 CE), VS 1335 (1280 CE), and VS 1339 (1284 CE); all related to various donations. According to Jinharshagani, the toranas still on the three gates of the mandapa were added by minister Vastupala.[11] There are two shrines between the gudhamandapa and the mandapa.[9]

A new second mandapa (outer hall) was added to the west of the gudhamandapa in the 17th century in place of a previously existing mandapa which was known as pau-mandapa.[12] The mandapa measures 38' x 21' 3". It houses two small 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. These platforms were installed in VS 1694 (1628 CE).[9][11] On the west of the mandapa, there is a closed west entrance with a porch overhanging the vertical scarp of the hill.[9][11]

The central temple is the largest temple of the Jain temples on Girnar, standing in a quadrangular paved courtyard measuring 190 to 195 feet (58 to 59 m) in length and 130 feet (40 m) in width.[6][8][9] The court is bordered by 67 cells, each enshrining a marble image on a bench, with a cloister in front of them. The principal east entrance was closed in or after the 19th century and converted into a room where idols were installed.[6][9] The south and north entrances are located between the series of shrine cells.[9] The passage in front of the shrine cells was built in VS 1215 (1159 CE) according to the inscription in the north entrance. Two pattas are installed in the passage: a nandishwardwipa patta (dated VS 1287, 1231 CE) on the west side and a samet shikhar patta (identified as vis viharman patta) on the north side.[13]

There is a small temple of Adinatha behind the Neminath temple facing east which was built by Jagmal Gordhan of Porwad family in 1792 CE (VS 1848) under the guidance of Jinendra Suri, and a shrine of Rajimati next to it, which was built later.[9][13] There are a few shrines in the court dedicated to Jain monks. The shrine dedicated to Ambika near the south porch of the gudhamandapa is a later addition as it is not mentioned in any medieval literature.[14]

On the south side, there is a shrine with a large cellar historically known as Papamadhi. It houses a large white marble image of Amijhara Parshwanatha along with idols of Neminath, Rathnemi and another Neminath installed by Jinchandrasuri of Kharatara Gaccha in VS 1358 (1302 CE). The first mention of Amijhara Parshwanatha is found in 17th century text Tirthamala by Sheelvijay of Tapa Gaccha. It is not mentioned in any works from the 8th to 16th century.[13][14][8]

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