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 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 town was an imperial Thana during the Mughal era, which grew into the capital of Palitana State of the princely Kathiawad. The feuds and the rivalries culminating into the battles during the reign of Rajput king Unadji reminds us of the sacrificial chivalry of that age. Taking advantage of the occupation of Bhavnagar army with Maratha forces, Unadji had attacked Sihor. In retaliation Gohil Wakhatsinhji, the then ruler of Bhavnagar, laid siege on Palitana. Unadji's stubborn resistance, which compelled the Bhavnagar forces to retire, is even today, many generations later remembered by the residents of this temple town.

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; imparting sacredness and earning an epithet of Siddhakshetra. The summit is divided into two peaks, but the valley between has been partly built with masonry by a wealthy Jain merchant Motishah. The entire summit is covered with temples among which the most famous are those of Adinath, Kumarpal, Vimalshah, Samprati Raja and the Chomukh, which is the highest and can be distinguished from a distance. 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.

Visitors naturally wonder how such a mammoth task of covering the entire summit with temples has been achieved. The answer is simple. Generations after generation of Jain devotees have spent money on some construction or the other on the Shatrunjaya. This is aptly described in Ras Mala thus: There is hardly a city in India, through its length and breadth, that has not supplied at one time or other, contributions of wealth to the edifices which crown the hill of Palitana.

Because of its sanctity, every devout Jain aspires to climb to the top of the mountain at least once in his lifetime. 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 and Gods are to be left alone. Such is the mystique of Palitana, the summit of Shatrunjaya.

While atop one can also visit a Muslim shrine of Angar Pir. The Pir's blessings are invoked by the childless women for to be blessed with children. They offer miniature cradles to the Pir and the shrine is strewn with such cradles.

Visitors with special interest in temple ornament can contact Hill Inspector or The Manager, Anandji Kalyanji Trust, for viewing the jewellery that adorn the deities on ceremonial occasions.

How to Reach

Palitana is on the Western Railway metre gauge line and is well connected to Ahmedabad, 277 kms. by rail and 215 kms. by road.Nearest airport at Bhavnagar is 62 kms.S.T. & luxury buses ply regularly.