Shatrunjaya Hill, Palitana - Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

About Shatrunjaya Hill

At a distance of 9 Km from the Palitana Railway Station, Shatrunjaya Hill is a sacred hill situated at Palitana town in the Bhavnagar district of Gujarat. It is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for the Jains and among the must-visit places as part of the Palitana tour packages. This impressive hill is home to more than 900 intricately carved Jain temples, serving as a focal point for religious tourism in Palitana. According to tradition, these numerous temples were constructed by devotees over a span of 900 years. The main temple is dedicated to Rishabha, the first tirthankara; it is the holiest shrine for the Svetambara Murtipujaka sect. Digambara Jains have only one temple here. Like Chandragiri, Mount Abu, and Girnar, Shatrunjaya is also regarded as one of the most sacred locations for the Jain community.

History of Shatrunjaya Hill

The Shatrunjaya Hill complex comprises more than 900 temples that have been built over a span of 900 years, with the oldest dating back to the 11th century CE. This dense array of nearly 900 small shrines and larger temples has earned Palitana the title of the 'city of temples.' These temples were built in two phases. The first phase being from the 11th to 12th century AD as a part of the resurgence of temple building all over India. They were destroyed by Turkish Muslim invaders in 1311 AD. Most of the temples which are now present belonged to the 16th century CE. No one person can be attributed to the construction of these magnificent temples rather it was the effort of the wealthy businessmen who were followers of Jainism. The temples were brought under the control of the Anandji Kalyanji Trust in 1730. In recent decades, the Gujarat government, along with various Jain organizations, has undertaken initiatives to enhance facilities and improve accessibility for visitors.

Mythology of Shatrunjaya Hill

Shatrunjaya means a 'place of victory against inner enemies' or 'which conquers inner enemies'. This site on Shatrunjaya hill is considered sacred by Swetambara Jains. According to the Shatrunjaya Mahatmya, the first Tirthankara Rishabhanatha sanctified the hill where he delivered his first sermon. It was his grandson Pundarika who attained Nirvana at Shatrunjaya, hence the hill was originally known as 'Pundarikgiri'. Bharata Chakravartin, the father of Pundarik, also credited with building a temple here in honor of his father Rishabhanatha. Legendarily it is also associated with many other Tirthankaras. Jains believe that a visit to this group of temples is essential once in a life to achieve nirvana or salvation.

Things to do in Shatrunjaya Hill

There are more than 900 Jain temples on the hills spread mostly in nine clusters, some being vast temple complexes, while most small in size. This is considered the world's largest Temple Complex, and among the prime places to visit in Palitana. The Adinath Temple, dedicated to Rishabhanatha, is the main temple in the complex and is the grandest. The prayer halls of this temple are decorated with ornamental friezes of dragons. The Adinath temple houses 7 feet tall marble idol of Lord Adinath in the Padmasana posture. There are three pradakshina routes, followed in a clockwise direction, which are associated with this temple. The first is circular and includes the Sahasrakuta temple, the temple of feet of Ganadhar, and the temple of Simandhar Swami. The second passage passes the new Bhagawan Adishwar temple, Mt. Meru, the temple of Samavasaran, and Sammet Shikhar temple. The third passage passes the Ashtapada temple, the Chaumukh temple.

Built in 1616 CE, the Chaumukha Temple is a humbling sight with its imposing gateway and sprawling confines. The carvings on the marble within the temple are spellbinding. It has a four-faced Adinatha image sanctified on a white pedestal. Kumarpal Temple, Vimalshah Temple, Sampriti Raja Temple, Saraswati Devi temple, and Narsinh Kesharji temple, are the other notable structures on the hill. 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. One can also visit a Muslim shrine of Angar Pir atop the hill, which is visited by couples who are facing difficulties in having a child. The followers seek blessings at the shrine in a hope to fulfil their dream of having their children.

Festivals of Shatrunjaya Hill

Shatrunjaya Hill in Palitana is the site of several important festivals, linked to Jain traditions. Among the most prominent are Mahavir Jayanti and the Chha Gau Teerth Yatra. Mahavir Jayanti celebrates the birth of Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankara, and includes elaborate processions and religious observances. The Chha Gau Teerth Yatra, an auspicious event occurring in February or March, involves devotees circumambulating Shatrunjaya Hill, covering a total distance of 216 kilometers. Additionally, significant festivals such as Fagun Sud and Kartik Purnima, which falls on the full moon day of the Kartik month (October-November), are also celebrated at Shatrunjaya Hill.

Shatrunjaya Hill Dress Code & Other Restrictions

Shatrunjaya Hill in Palitana mandates a formal dress code, advising visitors to don modest attire that sufficiently covers the upper arms and legs as a mark of respect. Men are suggested to wear a dhoti or pajama with an upper garment, or alternatively, formal trousers and shirts. Women may choose to wear a saree, half saree, or chudidhars. It is recommended to avoid modern clothing such as mini-skirts, ripped jeans, shorts, and sleeveless tops when visiting the temple. For a comfortable ascent, wearing appropriate hiking shoes, hats, and applying sunscreen is advisable.

Non-Hindus are typically permitted on Shatrunjaya Hill, a prominent pilgrimage destination for Jains. The hill and its temples welcome visitors from all faiths, although specific attire may be necessary for temple access.

Shatrunjaya Hill Timings

Monday: 6 AM - 6 PM, Closed from June - September
Tuesday: 6 AM - 6 PM, Closed from June - September
Wednesday: 6 AM - 6 PM, Closed from June - September
Thursday: 6 AM - 6 PM, Closed from June - September
Friday: 6 AM - 6 PM, Closed from June - September
Saturday: 6 AM - 6 PM, Closed from June - September
Sunday: 6 AM - 6 PM, Closed from June - September

Shatrunjaya Hill Entry Fee

Entry is Free
Doli is available for Rs. 2500 for 2 People & Rs. 5000 for 4 People

Best Time to Visit Shatrunjaya Hill

The optimal period for visiting Shatrunjaya Hill in Palitana, Gujarat, is during the winter months from November to February. This timeframe offers relatively cool and pleasant weather, making it ideal for climbing the hill and appreciating the stunning temple complex without the hindrance of extreme heat. Furthermore, this winter season aligns with various local celebrations and festivals, providing visitors with a distinctive cultural experience. It is important to note that the temples are closed to devotees during the monsoon months from June to September. The summer months, from March to May, are marked by high temperatures, which may result in heat exhaustion during the challenging ascent. Regardless of the season, it is advisable to visit during the cooler parts of the day, either in the early morning or late afternoon.

How to Reach Shatrunjaya Hill

Bhavnagar Airport is the nearest airport which is about 58 Km from Palitana. It has well-connected direct flights from Mumbai. Palitana Railway Station has well rail connectivity with Mumbai and Bhavnagar. However, Bhavnagar Railway Station is the nearest major railhead. One can take a bus or hire a cab to reach the Palitana from Bhavnagar. Palitana is well connected by bus with Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Bhuj, Junagadh, Vadodara, and Surat. To reach the base of Shatrunjaya Hill, visitors can take a bus or hire an auto-rickshaw or taxi from anywhere in the town. The main temple is accessible by climbing 3,500 steps, which is a challenging journey that typically takes between 2 to 3 hours to complete the 3.5-kilometer ascent. For those unable to climb the stairs, sling-chairs or dolis are available for hire at a reasonable price.