Explore Jain Famous Temples in India
Explore Jain Famous Temples in India
PALITANA JAIN TEMPLE
History
Palitana is associated with Jain Famous Temples in India, legends and history. Adinath, the first of the Jain Tirtankars, is said to have meditated on the Shatrunjaya hill, where the Palitana temples
were later constructed.
The Palitana state was a Princely state, founded in 1194. It was one of the major states in Saurashtr, covering 777 km².
In
1921 it had 58,000 inhabitants in 91 villages, generating a 744,416 Rs revenue.
Explore Jain Famous Temples in India
Jain Famous Palitana temples in India
Explore Jain Famous Palitana Temple is the world's
only mountain that has more than 900 temples.
The Famous Jain Palitana temples and whole
mountain are considered the most sacred pilgrimage
place by the Jain community, and is the world's largest
Temple Complex.
There are more than 3000 temples located on
the Shatrunjaya hills, exquisitely carved in marble.
The main temple on top of the hill, is dedicated to the
first Tirtankara Rishabhnata (Rishabhadeva).
The temples were built by generations of Jains over
a period of 900 years, from the 11th century onwards.
The temples are managed by the Anandji Kalyanji
Trust associated with the Kasturbhai Lalbhai group.
From the foot of the hill to the top there are about
3,800 stone steps to facilitate climbing.
The temples are exquisitely carved in marble,
veritable prayers in stone. To an observer,
these appear to be ivory miniatures when
seen from a distance. Created by master
craftsmen, the most important temple is that
of the first Teerthankara, ShriAdishwar.
It has ornate architectural motifs, though in
its overall plan it is simpler than the Choumukh.
Other notable temples are those of Kumarpal,
Vimalshah and Sampriti Raja. Kumarpal Solanki,
a great Jain patron, probably built the earliest temple.
The temple has a fabulous collection of jewels,
and these can be seen with special permission.
The temples date from 11th to the 20th century.
From 1865 to 1910 it was ruled by King Dhanpat.
Belief
Every devout Jain aspires to climb to the top of
the mountain at least once in his lifetime,
because of its sanctity. Not just the temples on
the Hill are sacred, but as per Jain Scriptures
entire Hill is sacred right from top to bottom.
The journey is arduous. The walk up the stone
stairway hew 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 rig-ours 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.
Vegetarianism
In 2014, Jain Famous Palitana Temples became
the first city in the world to be legally Vegetarian.
It has outlawed, or made illegal, the buying and
selling of meat, fish and eggs, and also related
jobs or work, such as fishing and penning
'food animals'.
Other aspects of
Palitana
Jain Famous Temple Palitana located 51 km south
west of Bhavnagar is known for being the largest
cluster of Jain temples. There are in total 863
temples from base to the peak of the Shatrunjaya
hill, where the Palitana temples are located.
The path is climbed through 3950 steps spanning
3.5 km up the Shatrunjaya Hills.
The construction of temples of Jain Famous Temple
Palitana spanned over a period of 900 years
and was structured in two phases. From the
11th to 12th centuries AD as a part of the resurgence
of temple building all over India, the first phase
of temple architecture was constructed.
The second phase followed later, from the
16th century AD onwards. Muslim invaders destroyed
some of the earliest temples built in the 11th century
AD, during the 14th and 15th centuries AD.
No one person can be attributed for the construction
of these magnificent temples rather it was the effort
of the wealthy businessmen who were followers of Jainism.
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