The
Myth....
Lord Rishabhdeve, the first'Tirthanka'
of Jain religion and the ancient pioneer of human
culture graced this place of Pilgrimage for 99 Parva
times (a parva = 84 lakh x 84 lakh). From among the 24
Tirthankars of Jain religion, 23 Trithankars, except
Neminath, gave the message of Jainism from the soil of
this holy place.
Situated on the bank of river
shetrunji in the district of Bhavnagar, Palitana is a
1200 years old place of pilgrimage. Its a world renowned
place. The name Palitana is derived from Padaliptpur -
Palittanak Acharya Pradaliptasuri's disciple Nagarjuna
built the village and gave it the name Padliptapur. The
holy place is located at the height of 1800 ft. on
mounteein Shetrunjya. After climbing 3475 step, one can
reach to the Derasarof Shri Adishwar Bhagavan. It is
said that Vastupal and Tejpal prepared a path by
arranging stones so that the devotees can reach to the
holy place. The entire hill fort area Is spread across
20 acres of land and houses 108 big 'Derasars' and 872 'Deris'.
Apart from this, there are about seven thousand Jain
idols here. In terms of exquisite stone carving and
sculpting, the place is unmatched in the world. In the
ancient time, Pundarik swami, the 'Ganadhar' of Bhagavan
Rishabhdeve, came here to achieve 'Moksha' and therefore
It Is also known as "Pundarikgirr. The first temple on
the Shri Glriraj, the ShetrunJya, was built by king
Bharat and the original temple of Adishwar Bhagavan was
built by King Vikram. Apart from this, there are many
other historical temples and holy places here including
a temple built by Kumarpal, the Bhavani lake built by
Pruthvlraj Chauhan, a stone temple built by Uda Maheta.
All these places are worth a sight. The holy place was
renovated by Shresthi Javadasha one thousand years ago.
This place of pilgrimage has undergone renovation as
many as 16 times. Each temple here has a history of Its
own. Every year, more than four lac pilgrims come here
In the form of sangh. During the entire pilgrimage, they
observe very hard and rigorous rules. From the foot of
the mountain, they have to climb 3745 steps stretching
up to three and a half kms. to reach to the peak. From
the peak of mountain ShetrungJya, the landscape of river
ShetrunJi flowing In the south provides a beautiful
sight. Here the sculpture and architecture of the temple
of Adinath Bhagvan, the first Tirthnkar of Jainism is
very artistic. Other major temples are those of Kumalpal,
Vimal shah and Chaumukhl. Lacs of Jain pilgrims flock
this holy place for "Parlkrama" on Fagan Sud Teras,
Chaitri Purnima and Vaishakh Sud Trlj. The route of
Parlkrama is 18 kms. long, pilgrims complete the
parlkrama either on foot unaided or with a stick or In a
'doll'. Overnight stay on the mountain is proscribed. No
Pilgrims are allowed for Parlkrama during the 'Chaturumas'
The Idols In the temples adorn
precious Jewelry and therefore prior sanction of the
firm of Kalyanaji Anandji is required to have a glimpse
of these Jewelry.
Palitana
is accessible by road from:
Vadodara - 310 kms
Surat - 432 kms.
Bhavnagar - 50 kms
Gandhlnagar - 231 kms.
Nearest railway station - Bhavnagar and Palitana
Nearest Airport - Bhavnagar
Contact Details
Collector Bhavanagar & Member Secretary,
Palltana Vikas Samitl
Phone No.: (O) +91 278
2428822
Phone
No.: (R) +91 278 2568866
Phone
No.: (F) +91 278 2427941
Phone
No.: (M) +91 9825049315
Ch. Commissioner, MlrJapur Road,
Ahmedabad
Phone No.: (O) +91 79 25507514
Phone No.:
(F) +91 79 25509244
General
Manager AanandaJl KalyanJl Pedhi,
Palltana.
Phone No.: (O) +91 2848 252148
Phone
No.: (R) +91 2848 253253
Phone No.:
(F) +91 2848 2433489
Joint
Commissioner, Vadodara
Phone No.: (O) +91
265 2433449
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