Palitana Jain Temples

The Palitana temples, clustered densely atop the Shatrunjaya Hill near the city of Palitana in Gujarat's Bhavnagar district, represent one of the holiest and most extraordinary pilgrimage sites for Svetambara Jains. It is often referred to as a 'temple city' due to the sheer number and concentration of shrines – estimates range from over 800 to more than 3,000 structures if minor shrines are included, all built through religious merit-making over centuries. The sanctity of Shatrunjaya Hill dates back to antiquity in Jain tradition. It is believed that Adinatha (Rishabhanatha), the first Tirthankara, visited the hill multiple times and delivered his first sermon here, consecrating it. Many other Tirthankaras and countless Jain monks are also said to have attained liberation (moksha) on this hill, making it exceptionally sacred. While the site's holiness is ancient, the history of structural temple building began much later, possibly starting around the 11th century CE under the patronage of ministers and wealthy merchants during the Chalukya (Solanki) and Vaghela dynasties. Construction activity intensified over subsequent centuries, sponsored purely by the Jain community's devotion and philanthropy, as the hill itself is considered divine property where no one owns land. The temples suffered significant destruction during Muslim invasions in the 14th and 15th centuries but were resiliently rebuilt and expanded. Architecturally, the temples predominantly follow the Maru-Gurjara style, executed mainly in white marble, renowned for intricate carvings, ornate spires (shikharas), detailed ceilings, and multiple courtyards (tuks) enclosing clusters of shrines. Major temples include those dedicated to Adinatha, Kumarpal, Vimalshah, and Chaumukhji. A unique aspect of Palitana is the strict adherence to religious rules: no one, including the temple priests, is permitted to stay overnight on the sacred hill, emphasizing its status as purely a place of worship. Climbing the approximately 3,500 steps to reach the temples is considered an essential part of the pilgrimage. Palitana stands as an unparalleled monument to Jain faith, community solidarity, and architectural devotion spanning nearly a millennium.