Palitana Jain Temple, Gujarat

Ruler Rishabhdev, the first ‘Tirthanka’ of Jain religion and the antiquated pioneer of human culture graced this spot of Pilgrimage for 99 Parva times (a parva = 84 lakh x 84 lakh). From among the 24 Tirthankars of Jain religion, 23 Trithankars, with the exception of Neminath, gave the message of Jainism from this blessed spot.

Located on the bank of stream shetrunji in the district of Bhavnagar, Palitana is a 1200 years of age spot of journey. Its a widely acclaimed place. The name Palitana is acquired from Padaliptpur – Palittanak Acharya Pradaliptasuri’s follower Nagarjuna assembled the town and gave it the name Padliptapur. The sacred spot is situated at the height of 1800 ft. on mountain Shetrunjya. After ascending 3475 stage, one can reach to the Derasar of Shri Adishwar Bhagavan. It is said that Vastupal and Tejpal arranged a way by masterminding stones so the followers can reach to the heavenly spot. The whole slope forest region is spread across 20 acres of land of and houses 108 major ‘Derasars‘ and 872 ‘Deris’. Aside from this, there are around 7,000 Jain icons here. As far as impeccable stone cutting and chiseling, the spot is unrivaled on the planet. In the old time, Pundarik master, the ‘Ganadhar’ of Bhagavan Rishabhdeve, came here to accomplish ‘Moksha’ and hence it is otherwise called ‘Pundarikgirr’. The main sanctuary on the Shri Glriraj, the ShetrunJya, was constructed by ruler Bharat and the first sanctuary of Adishwar Bhagavan was constructed by King Vikram. Aside from this, there are numerous other recorded sanctuaries and blessed places here including a sanctuary worked by Kumarpal, the Bhavani lake worked by Pruthviraj Chauhan, a stone sanctuary worked by Uda Maheta. These holy places are worth a sight. The sacred spot was revamped by Shresthi Javadasha 1,000 years prior. This holy place has gone through renovation as many as 16 times. Every sanctuary here has a past filled with its own.

Consistently, more than a lac travelers come here in the type of sangh. During the whole journey, they notice exceptionally hard and thorough rules. From the foot of the mountain, they need to ascend 3745 stages extending up to three and a half kms to reach to the pinnacle. From the pinnacle of mountain Shetrungjya, the scene of waterway Shetrunji streaming in the south gives a delightful sight. Here the figure and design of the sanctuary of Adinath Bhagvan, the principal Tirthnkar of Jainism is exceptionally creative. Other significant sanctuaries are those of Kumalpal, Vimal shah and Chaumukhi. Lacs of Jain travelers run this blessed spot for “Parlkrama” on Fagan Sud Teras, Chaitri Purnima and Vaishakh Sud Trij. The course of Parlkrama is 18 kms long, travelers complete the Parlkrama either by walking independent or with a stick or in a ‘doll’. Overnight stay on the mountain is banished. Pilgrims are restricted for Parlkrama during the ‘Chaturumas’