PALITANA JAIN TEMPLES
AT
BHAVNAGAR
Palitana is a city in
Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, India. It is located 50 km southwest of Bhavnagar
city .Palitana located 51 km south west of Bhavnagar is known for being the
largest cluster of Jain temples.
There are in total 863
temples from base to the peak of the Shatrunjaya hill, where the Palitana
temples are located. The path is climbed through 3950 steps spanning 3.5 km up
the Shatrunjaya Hills.
The construction of
temples of Palitana spanned over a period of 900 years and was structured in
two phases. From the 11th to12th centuries AD as a part of the resurgence of
temple building all over India, the first phase of temple architecture was
constructed.
The second phase followed
later, from the 16th century AD onwards. Muslim invaders destroyed some of the
earliest temples built in the 11th century AD, during the 14th and 15th
centuries AD. No one person can be attributed for the construction of these
magnificent temples rather it was the effort of the wealthy businessmen who
were followers of Jainism.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
By Air
Various domestic airlines
connect Bhavnagar with Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
By Train
It is on the Western
Railway Line. It is 777 kms. from Mumbai via Ahmedabad.
By Bus
State transport buses and
private luxury coaches gives an easy connectivity to Bhavnagar. It is situated
791 kms. from Mumbai via Ahmedabad and 200 kms. from Ahmedabad via the State
Highway.
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