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Palitana (Shatrunjaya)

Palitana (Shatrunjaya)

pilgrimage site · Gujarat

State
Gujarat
Type
Pilgrimage Site
Best season
Winter
Things to do
1+

Palitana, in Gujarat's Saurashtra, is one of Jainism's most sacred sites — the Shatrunjaya hill is crowned by an astonishing cluster of over 800 intricately carved marble temples. Pilgrims climb roughly 3,800 steps to reach the summit, where the temple-city gleams in white marble. No one, not even priests, may stay overnight on the sacred hill.

When to go

Best visited October to March, though hill shrines may open only May-October.

Why visit

Some three and a half thousand steps up to around nine hundred temples, and nobody sleeps on the hill at all — the priests come down at dusk and it is left to the gods. Start before six; there is no shade going up. Killing animals is banned by law in the town below.

Cultural notes

Shatrunjaya is among the holiest Svetambara Jain tirthas, built and rebuilt over 900 years, and the town of Palitana is the world's first entirely vegetarian-by-law city.

How to reach

Nearest airport Bhavnagar (~55 km); Palitana has a railway station. The climb begins from Palitana town.

Palitana (Shatrunjaya) in 1 day

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1 day in Palitana (Shatrunjaya)

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Shatrunjaya HillDay 1

Day 1

Shatrunjaya Hill

Shatrunjaya Hill rises above the Shatrunjaya River near Palitana town in Bhavnagar district, and no other mountain in the world carries anything like what stands on top of it: a fortified complex of more than 860 carved marble temples, built over the course of a millennium. The Jain community holds the whole hill to be sacred ground, and no vehicle goes past the base — pilgrims and travellers climb roughly 3,500 stone steps to reach the temples at the summit.

Day 1

Adishwar Temple complex

Adishwar Temple complex

Day 1

Chaumukha Temple

Chaumukha Temple

Day 1

Panoramic views of the Shetrunji River valley

Panoramic views of the Shetrunji River valley

Palitana (Shatrunjaya) guide & itineraries

Palitana (Shatrunjaya) is perfect for

pilgrimageheritagearchitecture

Things to do

How to spend your time in Palitana (Shatrunjaya).

Marvel at the Marble Architecture of Shatrunjaya

Marvel at the Marble Architecture of Shatrunjaya

Explore a sacred hilltop city consisting of over 800 carved marble Jain temples built over several centuries.

Frequently asked questions

Can you stay overnight on top of Shatrunjaya Hill?

No, overnight stays are strictly forbidden on the hill. All visitors, including priests and pilgrims, must descend the mountain before sunset.

Are there any dietary restrictions to keep in mind when visiting Palitana?

Palitana is a deeply holy Jain town. Non-vegetarian food and eggs are legally banned throughout the township, and visitors are expected to respect these traditions.

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