palitana
Location: Palitana, Gujarat.
Main Temples: Shri Adishwara Temple, Chaumukh Temple.
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 channeled religious fervor 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.
There are many temples at Palitana, which are revered by Hindus and some are prominent Jain pilgrim centers.
Shri Adishwara Temple: dedicated to Rishabhdev, stands on the apex of the northern ridge. Rebuilt by the minister Vagbhatta in AD 1157, it is one of the most magnificent temples and the most sacred on Shatrunjaya. The temple is ornately carved with a frieze of dragons along the walls of its prayer halls.
Chaumukh Temple: or four- faced shrine, the highest of the shrines is visible from a distance of 40 km. erected in the early 17th century, it houses a quadruple image of the apostle Adinath, who gazes in the four directions. Other notable temples are Kumarpal, Vimalsha, and Shahastrakuta bearing the distinctive aura of the Jain temples.
Another important temple is that of the first Teerthankara, though, in its overall plan it is simpler than the Choumukh. Other notable temples are those of Kumarpal, Vimal Shah and Sampti Raja. Kumarpal Solanki, a great Jain patron, probably built the earliest temple. The temple has a fabulous collection of jewels, which can be seen with special permission.
Adjacent to the Shri Adishwara Temple is the Muslim shrine of Angar Peer where childless women make votive offerings of miniature cradles to the saint to bless them with children.
The Temple town of Palitana has some interesting handicrafts and 2 museums of Jain art - the Stapiya Kala Sangrah and the Shri Vishal Jain Kala Sansthan.
GETTING THERE
Air: Nearest airport at Bhavnagar is 62 kms away.
Rail: Palitana is on the Western Railway meter gauges line and is well connected to Ahmedabad, 277 kms. By rail and 215 kms. By road.
Road: State Transport & luxury buses ply regularly. |
