Amongst all the Jain temples, Palitana temples
are considered to be the most sacred. Located on Shetrunjaya hills there are
863 temples, exquisitely carved in marble. No one is allowed to sleep
overnight including the priest, because the temple city has been built as an
abode for the Gods. The town is considered by many Jains to be more
important than the temple covered hills of Bihar, Gwalior, Mt Abu and
Girnar. Palitana was the capital of a princely state of the Gohil Rajput
clan. It is also one of the greatest tourist attractions in Gujarat for
foreign tourists.
Location
Palitana is located in the western Indian state of Gujarat, 51 km south
west of Bhavnagar. It is a part of the Saurashtra region famed for its
spectacular temple sites, cities, beautiful beaches, and wildlife. The town
has a good road and rail network that connects it to the other cities of
Gujarat, especially Bhavnagar.
Climate
The climate of Palitana is generally pleasant. The summer season continues
from March to June, with daytime temperature reaching 40°C.The monsoon
reaches Palitana in July and remains there till September. Winter sets in
around October and continues till February. The summer temperatures range
from 24°C to 42°C and winter temperatures range from 10°C to
24°C.
History
The act of ascending a path to reach a place of pilgrimage is a part of the
Hindu and Jain consciousness, which is why many of their holiest temples are
located along hills and mountain ranges. The Jains have five separate hill
locations for their holiest clusters of temples and Shatrunjaya Hill,
Palitana is considered the most important among them. Another group is in
Girnar (Junagadh), not too far away, while others are in Rajasthan and
Maharashtra.
Palitana houses perhaps the largest cluster of Jain temples anywhere. From
the base to the peak of the Shatrunjaya Hill, where the Palitana temples are
located, there are in all 863 temples. These temples were built in two
phases-the 11th and 12th centuries as a part of the resurgence of temple
building all over India, and in the 16th century. Some of the earliest
temples built in the 11th century were destroyed by Muslim invaders in the
14th and 15th centuries. The current temples date back to 16th century
onwards. Not any one person or group was responsible for the construction of
these magnificent temples. It was the effort of the wealthy businessmen who
were followers of Jainism that these buildings came into existence.
Shetrunjaya
Hill
The entire summit of majestic mount Shatrunjaya is crowned with about 900
temples, each rivaling the other for beauty and magnificence, presenting an
awe-inspiring spectacle to devotees and visitors. The peak is a 3 ½ km
climb of over 3500 steps from the town. The cluster of over 800 temples is
divided into tuks. Throughout the cluster you can see detailed carvings,
beautiful idols and images, jeweled statues and intricate toranas. Sunrise
behind the temples is a great sight. One can enjoy views from the summit of
the hills and the river Shetrunjaya. On a clear day, the Gulf of Cambay
seacoast can be seen. Commanding a special place on the Gujarat travelers'
map, Palitana is a `must visit' destination for the Jains and all those who
would like to witness what the subtle combination of human enterprise,
architectural skills, philanthropy and channelised religious fervour can
achieve. The mount Shatrunjaya lies hardly a kilometer away from the town,
the way, which is now thronged on both the sides by sarais and minor
temples, including Kala Bhandars (museums). The mountain is associated with
Rishabhdev, the first tirthankar, also known as Adinath. It is believed that
all the tirthankars, except Neminath, attained nirvan here. The multitude of
temples, half palaces, half fortresses and made of splendid marble, with
their spires aiming the skies present a spectacle unmatched for its scale
and magnitude.
Belief
Every devout Jain aspires to climb to the top of the mountain at least once
in his lifetime, because of its sanctity. The journey is arduous. The walk
up the stone stairway hewn into the mountain face takes about an hour and a
half. For those unable or unaccustomed to the strain, sling-chairs are
available at a bargain. The code for the climbers is stringent, in keeping
with the rigours of the Jain faith. Food must neither be eaten nor carried
on the way. The descent must begin before it is evening, for no soul can
remain atop the sacred mountain during the night. Such is the mystique of
Palitana, the summit of Shatrunjaya. While atop one can also visit a Muslim
shrine of Angar Pir. The childless women seek the Pir's blessings to be
blessed with children. They offer miniature cradles to the Pir and the
shrine is strewn with such cradles.
