TRAVEL DISCOVERY According to Jainism, since ancient times Palitana is a major site of salvation and nirvana of Jain saints and sages. Palitana is a major pilgrimage site of the Jain religion. It is situated on Shatrunjay mountain in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat.
On this temple are situated many temples, which are built of marble carving and are extremely beautiful. The main temple on this mountain is Jain religion’s Lord Adinath temple. This mountain is situated at an altitude of about 220 feet.
These temples are built with an aim of having a common place of gods. People believe that all gods sleep here during night. This is why no priest is allowed to stay in the temple overnight. The rule is for other people as well. At different times, these temples have been renovated around 16 times.
This place has more than 900 temples. These temples are also called Tucks.
It is said that those people who want moksha and want to be in heaven should visit this place once in their lifetime.
Among the Jain temples here, the main ones are Adinath, Kumarpal, Vimalshah, Sampratiraja and Chaumukh.
People say that every night the idols in the temnples get covered with a silver layer on their own and the priest of the temple takes it with him as a gift from god.
Built in 1618, the Chaumukha temple is the largest temple of this place.
Every year during Falgun Teras, Chaitra Ki Purnima and on Akshya Tritiya a lot of Jainis visit this place.
The diameter of the entire temples here is of 18 kms.
Some people take this parikrama walking while others use a rath.
Every year thousands of foreign tourists visit this place. For them there are many dharamshalas too built here.
It is said that in the thirteenth century two brothers Tejpal and Vishupal made the path of stones to climb the hill. This place is also known as Pundrikgiri.
Every temple built here has its own story and history different from the other.
Palitana has a small railway station. This is the best mode of transport to reach this religious place. Palitana bus stand is around 1 km from railway station. There are many buses that go to this religious place with not much waiting.
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