Legends of Girnar

Mount Girnar is located in Junagadh district in Gujarat. It is regarded as a sacred hill both to the Hindus and Jains. The Jains call it Mt. Neminath. This place is related to many legends and folk tales. According to traditional history, sages have used it as a retreat to undertake tapasya since ancient times. Girnar is closely associated with Lord Krishna.

Girnar was known by different names at different periods Ujjayant, Manipur, Chandraketupur, Raivat Nagar, Puratanpur, Girivar and Girnar. Among several peaks five peaks are most important, Amba Mata, Gorakhnath, Augadh, Guru Datatreya and Kalika. The pilgrims have to climb 9999 steps to reach the top. There are five important Jain temples, besides several Hindu shrines.

Legends
According to legends once Lord Krishna was chased by Kalayavan who was a warrior of foreign origin. Lord Krishna thought of a plan to escape from him. Raja Muchkund was sleeping in one of the caves of Raivatachal Mountain which is the ancient name for Girnar. He was blessed with a boon that whoever disturbed his sleep would be reduced to ashes when he opened his eyes. Krishna was aware of this boon hence when he was chased by Kalayavan he tactfully led him to the cave where the king was sleeping. Krishna covered Muchkund with his upper cloth. Kalyavan after the long chase mistook the sleeping figure for Krishna and woke him up and was reduced to ashes.

Apart from these there are also many other legends that is associated with the glory and magnificence of Lord Neminath. Some of the famous legends associated with Girnar are Gomedh Yaksh, Gunavanth Gajapadakund, Rajarshi Bhimsen, Ashokchand, Siddhidayak Raitavatgiri, Sauvaghya Manjari, Sage Vashistha and Vachakshran Vastupal.

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