Girnar Hill, the semi-final peak

How the heck did they build a temple on top of that peak?

Lots of patience, several centuries and cheap labor I guess.

wonderful place, tho it nearly killed me, and I was not yet 40!!! I got up and down it by chanting a name of god for each step. Some of the names weren't very flattering, I fear ;) At the top was a wonderful li'l sadhu looking type old man, with a look of divine peace on his face- right outa central casting. We shared my binocs, and I have to admit, it was a wonderful moment up there. Best of all, it made Palitana seem like a cakewalk a few days later, hahaha!!!! As I sit here, with my knees aching like they're scraping tarmac, I look at that JPEG and know that it was all worth it. I might be in arthritic hell now, but enjoyed getting there!

nb To give you an idea of the buidling process, the steps alone are said to have been built between 1889 and 1901 (!) from the proceeds of a lottery. I have no real data on the temples themselves regretfully; some of the Jain temples on the way up are 12th-century.

nice shot, considering your effort going up it's worth the 10 points!

Do you happen to know its name ? after which Tirthankara ?

Nope, sorry. I'm not even sure if this particular temple is Jain. Haha, according to Wikipedia btw [QUOTE]Every year, a race is held, running from the base of the mountain to the peak and back. The locals in nearby Junagadh insist that the fastest-ever time was 42.36 minutes, which strikes those who have taken 5-8 hours to climb the mountain as distinctly improbable.[/QUOTE] :) Ah look: http://www.vegetarian-restaurants.net/India-Guide/IndianStates/Gujarat/Junagadh.htm [QUOTE]Mount Girnar Girnar Mountain is about 1100m (3630 ft) high and is an extinct volcano. It is said that Mount Girnar was once a flying mountain. It is 4km east of Junagadh and is the main tourist attraction in the area. On the plateau about 180m (600 ft) from the top of the hill, is a group of beautifully carved Jain temples built between 1128 and 1500. Neminath, the 22nd tirthankara, is said to have died on Mount Girnar after living here for 700 years. There is a special marble temple dedicated to him here, and a black marble statue of him. The Mallinath Temple (1177) is impressive. On top of the hill is a small Vishnu temple dedicated to Dattatreya. There is also a temple dedicated to the goddess Amba Mata dating back to the 12th century. It is said that a visit to this temple guarantees a happy marriage. There are good views from the top of the mountain. The steps go down and up again to Gorakhnath Peak at 1100m (3666 ft), where there are footprints of the rishi Gorakhnath. There is another peak where there are footprints of Neminath. Further on is a goddess Kalika shrine.[/QUOTE] So these would be the Vishnu & Amba Mata temples if this is correct,* I seem to remember something about marriage auspiciousness. * Err correction, that's where the pic would have been taken. The view should then be of said Gorakhnath peak, perhaps with that Kali shrine. Had I known I might have pressed on :)

Its the place from where Neminath Tirthankar attained Nirvana. Neminath was Krisna's cousin.

Nice photo. Ive never been there or even heard of it, but the mountains look a lot like some of the craggy peaks visible from atop Matheran near Mumbai. Incidentally, almost every Indian peak, mountain or hill top has some kind of temple on top, be it ornate or just in the form of a flag, or in some cases, just a smear of vermilion & turmeric on a suitably placed rock or stone on or near the summit.