PALITANA CITY

Ahmedabad Anand Bharuch Bhuj Baroda Bhavnagar Dwarka Gandhidham Junagadh Kutch Palitana Porbandar Saputara Surat Siddhpur Rajkot

     Palitana is a living sacred symbol of Jainism. Jainism, with emphasis on non-violence and non-acquisitiveness is a popular religion in the western/central/northern parts of India.

The architectural appeal of Palitana transcends religious boundaries and attracts tourists of all faiths.

A 56 Kms. drive from Bhavnagar, Palitana lies at the foot of the Shatrunjaya Hill, with the Shatrunjaya river flowing to its south.
The sacred hill rises in a crescendo of magnificent temples - 863 in all - that soar in marble splendour to the top of the hill. The temples were built over an impressive span of 900 years with each generation of pilgrims making its contribution to the shrines of Shatrunjaya.
The 600-metre climb to Shatrunjaya is usually made on foot. Dolis or lift-chairs are also available for the ascent.

The hilltops are bounded by sturdy walls and the temples are grouped into nine enclosures or tunks - each with a central major temple and many minor ones clustered around. The hilltop affords a very fine view in all directions; on a clear day you can see the Gulf of Cambay beyond Bhavnagar.

Some of the earliest temples here were built in the 11th century but, in the 14th and 15th centuries, the Muslims destroyed them, so the current temples date from the 16th century onwards.

The most notable of the temples is dedicated to Shri Adishwara, the first Jain tirthankar. Note the frieze of dragons around the temple.
Adjacent to this temple is the Muslim shrine of Angar Pir. Women who want to have children make offerings of miniature cradles at this shrine. Built in 1618 by a wealthy Jain merchant, the Chaumukh, or ‘four-faced’ shrine, has images of Adinath facing out in the four cardinal directions.
Other important temples are those to Kumar Pal, Sampriti Raj and Vimal Shah. There are so many marble temples on the hill summit that, from a distance, it looks like a giant, glistening white wedding cake.

The temples are open from 7 am to 7 pm ; temple jewels are shown between 9 am and 3 pm. Image washing is at 9.45 am, puja at 10.45 am.

You’ll need a photography permit to take a camera up the hill - enquire at your hotel. You will be asked for the permit at the main entrance.

• How to get there: Various domestic airlines connecting Mumbai (Bombay) and Surat.

  It is on the Western Railway line. It is 761 Kms. from Mumbai (Bombay) via Ahmedabad and 788 Kms. via Viramgam.

  State transport buses and private luxury coaches connect various centres of Gujarat. It is situated 791 Kms. from Mumbai (Bombay) via Ahmedabad, 200 Kms from Ahmedabad via Sihor.

Ahmedabad Anand Bharuch Bhuj Baroda Bhavnagar Dwarka Gandhidham Junagadh Kutch Palitana Porbandar Saputara Surat Siddhpur Rajkot