Palitana Temple in Bhavnagar

Palitana Temple in Bhavnagar

























[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Palitana is the greatest and biggest pilgrimage
center and sacred place of Jains. The Shwetambar Jain community believes that the hill of Palitana (Siddhachal) is eternal. Rshabhadev (Adinath), the first Jain Tirthankara,
came here several times and preached. Billions of monks and nuns have
attained Nirvana (Salvation) from this hill from times immemorial.



[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

It is also believed that hundred millions monks leaded by Dravida
andVarikhilla attained here Nirvana on the auspicious day of Kartika Purnima (Full moon day in the month of Kartika according to Indian lunar calendar) and fifty millions leaded by Nami and Vinami on Chaitri Purnima (Full moon day in the month of Chaitra according to Indian lunar calendar).



[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Palitana is a city in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, India. It is located 50
km southwest of Bhavnagar city .


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The Palitana temples are considered the most sacred pilgrimage place (tirtha) by the Jain community, and is the world's largest Temple Complex. There are more than 3000 temples located on the Shatrunjaya hills, exquisitely carved in marble. The main temple on
top of the hill, is dedicated to 1st tirthankar lord Adinath (Rishabdeva).


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

On the top the Shatrunjai Hill
is a cluster of Jain temples, built by generations of Jains over a
period of 900 years, from the 11th century onwards. The temples are
managed by the Anandji Kalyanji Trust of the Kasturbai Lalbhai group.



[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

From the foot of the hill to
the top there are 3,800 and odd stone steps cut to facilitate
climbing.The steps were hewn out of the rock in the 13th century CE
during the time of Jain minister Vastupal.



[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The temples are exquisitely
carved in
marble, veritable prayers in stone. To an observer, these appear to be
ivory miniatures when seen from a distance. Created by master craftsmen,
the most important temple is that of the first teerthankara, Shri
Adishwar. It has ornate architectural motifs, though in its overall plan
it is simpler than the Choumukh.



[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Other notable temples are those
of Kumarpal, Vimalshah and Sampriti Raja. Kumarpal Solanki, a great
Jain patron, probably built the earliest temple. The temple has a
fabulous collection of jewels, and these can be seen with special
permission.


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The temples date from 11th to the 20th century


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

On one special day (Fagun Sud
13),
which usually falls in February/March of every year (According to Hindu
Calender, it is 13th Day of Sud Cycle in the month of Falgun) there is a
huge crowd of thousands of people visiting its place as it is said that
on this particular day, millions of Jain followers attained salvation
from this Hill. Also the pilgrim on that day is almost 3 times as
compared to any other day which is also called as "6 Gaon" which is
approximately
15-18 Kilometers of walk and climbing of Hilly terrain.


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

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.They can,
however, drink water and water posts are provided all along the route




[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Moti Shah Toonk (Temple) at the top of Siddhachal hills


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

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.



[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Facts about Palitana :
Shetrunjay Temples: Steps: 3364
Height: 2000 ft; 7.5 miles

Pratima (Idols): 27007 Jinmandir: 3507


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

A recently concluded count reveals that there are a total of more than 27,000 idols of jain god on this mountain alone


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

No one is allowed to sleep overnight including the priest, because the temple city has been built as an abode for the Gods


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

There are 900 temples big and
small on the two summits. The sculptures that adorn the marble temples
present a feast to the eyes. You need not be a Jain to admire the
spectacle. Generations of Jain all over the country have contributed
their mite to make Shatrunjay Hill what it is today.



[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Samavasharana temple in Palitana valley


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

It is said all the Jain
Tirthankars, excepting Neminath, had attained nirvan on Shatrunjay
Hill. This fact adds to the veneration the devout have for the place.
The place is therefore called Siddhakshetra where one attains moksh.The
mountain is associated with Rishabhdev, the first Tirthankar who is also
known as Adinath.



[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Carving in lime in Neminath Temple, Shatrunjay Hills, Palitana


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The main temple at the top
contains his idol in padmasan. He belonged to the Ikshvaku Dynasty of
Ayodhya. So Rama was his ancestor. Adinath visited the Shatrunjay Hill
93 times.



[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Every shrine has idols of Tirthankars adorned with jeweled eyes.


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Jain sacred symbol Hrimkara with 24 Tirthankaras


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Jain sacred symbol Omkara with Pancha Parameshthi


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Tirthankar Sumatinath, Mulanayaka, Sancha Sumatinath Temple, Talheti, Palitana.


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Sri Adinath Rshabh Deva, Mulanayak, Agam mandir, Palitana Talheti


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]