Palitana Jain Temples facts for kids
The Palitana temples, also known as Shri Shatrunjaya Tirtha, are a very special and holy place for Jains. They are located in the city of Palitana, in the Indian state of Gujarat. This city is often called the "City of Temples" because it has so many beautiful temples. The name Shatrunjaya means "a place where you can win against your inner struggles."
Jains believe that visiting these temples is a once-in-a-lifetime journey. It helps them find spiritual peace and freedom, which is a very important goal in their faith. Because this place is considered so sacred, no one, not even the priests, is allowed to stay overnight on the temple hill. It's truly a place meant only for the divine.
A Sacred Hilltop Journey
The Palitana temples are built on a hill called Shatrunjaya Hill. To reach the main temples, visitors must climb over 3,500 steps! This climb is seen as a spiritual journey itself. It helps people focus on their faith and devotion. The hill is covered with hundreds of temples, making it look like a city of temples from afar.
What Makes Palitana Special?
Palitana is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Jains, especially for the Svetambara branch of Jainism. There are more than 800 temples on the hill, each with its own unique beauty. The main temple is dedicated to Adinath, who was the first Jain Tirthankara (a spiritual teacher).
The temples are made of white marble, and they shine brightly in the sun. Many of them have amazing carvings and detailed designs. These carvings tell stories from Jain history and beliefs.
A Place for Everyone
Interestingly, there is also a small shrine on the hilltop dedicated to a Muslim saint named Angar Pir. It is believed that he helped protect the temples from invaders a long time ago, in the early 1300s. This shows how different faiths can respect and protect each other's holy places.
Images for kids
-
The idol of Rishabhanatha inside main temple
-
An 1866 sketch of Palitana temples
-
An archive photo of one tonk of the Palitana temples (1860)
-
Floor plan of the Adinatha Chaumukh temple, Palitana
-
Chaumukh temple on the northern ridge, Palitana
-
The deep reliefs on the outer walls of one of the Palitana temples
-
The entrance to the temples
-
View of the temples at the summit of Shatrunjaya hill
-
Shiva temple
-
Adishwar Temple
-
A temple in Palitana temples complex
-
Palitana Temples distant view
-
Temple Inside Chaumukhji Tonk
-
Samovsaran Mandir, a modern temple and museum at the base of the hills (Tapa Gaccha subtradition of Jains)
-
Torana before the Samovsaran Mandir Palitana
-
Adinath temple depicted on 1949 Indian postage stamp
.jpg)
