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Timeless Wonders Holy HillTop
Situated about 215
kilometers from Ahmedabad and about 62 kilometers from Bhavnagar in
Gujarat, the Shatrunjaya hill near Palitana, is considered to be the
most sacred of the five holy hills of the Jains. Every devout Jain
wants to make a pilgrimage to this hill at least once in his lifetime
and contribute to the temple building and renovation activities
there.
This hill, with the
Shatrunjaya river flowing south of it, rises in a crescendo of 863
temples that soar in marvelous splendour to the top. With an altitude
of 603 meters, this hill has the largest number of temples anywhere
in the world at such a height. These temples have been built over an
impressive span of 900 years.
It is believed that
Rishabdeoji, the first of the Jain tirthanakras attained his nirvana
on this hill. To commemorate the event, according to Jain scriptures,
the first temple on the hill was built by King Bharat, son of
Rishabdeo. However, most of the temples were built during the 11th
and 12th centuries AD. White marble and stone were used
in the construction of these temples. To an observer, these appear to
be ivory miniatures when seen from a distance. Exquisite carvings of
figurines, animal motifs, freizes adorn the walls of these temples.
Created by master
craftsmen, the most important temples are that of Adinath
(Rishabdeo), Kumar Pal, Vimal Shah, Samprithi, Raja and Chaumukh. The
main temple is dedicated to Lord Adinath. It is an imposing and
ornate two storey structure. The 17th century Chaumukh
(four faced) temple enshrines a quadruple image of Adinath. The
temples have a fabulous collection of jewels and these can be seen on
special permission. This temple hill is unique because every priest,
devotee and tourist has to return to the lower floors after sunset
and relinquish the magnificent pinnacle to the Gods.
Palitana is very
conveniently connected to the other parts of the country by air, rail
and road. The nearest airport is at Bhavnagar which is just 62
kilometers from this temple hill. Palitana is on the meter gauge
railway line.
Gujarat Tourism runs
various conducts tours throughout the year to Palitana and other
important places in Saurashtra under the regular five days
tour-Saurashtra Darshan. Hotel Sumeru and Pathik Ashram are the best
accommodation in the city.
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