Image: Palitana, Shatrunjaya, Adishwar Temple (9721034826)

Description: Palitana, Shatrunjaya, Adishwar Temple Palitana (formerly known as Padliptapur) is a city in the state of Gujarat, India. It is a major pilgrimage centre for Jains, and has been nicknamed "City of Temples". The Palitana temples of Jainism are located on the Shatrunjaya Hill. Along with Shikharji in the state of Jharkhand, the two sites are considered the holiest of all pilgrimage places by the Jain community. As the temple-city was built to be an abode for the divine, no one is allowed to stay overnight, including the priests. Every Jain believes that a visit to this group of temples is essential as a once in a life time chance to achieve nirvana or salvation. This site on Shatrunjaya hill is considered sacred by Jains. There are approximately 863 marble-carved temples on the hills.The main temple is reached by stepping up 3500 steps. It is said that 23 tirthankaras (a human being who helps in achieving liberation and enlightenment), except Neminatha (a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma), sanctified the hill by their visits. The main temple is dedicated to Rishabha, the first tirthankara; it is the holiest shrine for the Svetambara Murtipujaka sect. Digambara Jain have only one temple here. The Adishvara Temple, dated to the 16th century, has an ornamented spire; its main image is that of Rishabha. (source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palitana_temples)
Title: Palitana, Shatrunjaya, Adishwar Temple (9721034826)
Credit: Palitana, Shatrunjaya, Adishwar Temple
Author: Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium
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