History of Shatrunjay Tirth

The Satrunjay Mahatirth, Palitana temples are considered the most sacred pilgrimage place (tirtha) by the Jain community. There are more than1300 temples located on the Shatrunjaya hills, exquisitely carved in marble. The main temple on top of the hill, is dedicated to 1st tirthankar lordAdinath (Rishabdeva).

PRESIDING DEITY AND LOCATION :
Sri Adishwar Bhagwan in serene quietude of beauty, of white color, seated in a lotus posture and of height 2.16 meters located in a mountain shrine, 6 Kms away from the town of Palitana (ancient name of Padaliptapur) on the bank of river Shetrunji. The ascent to the top of the mountain where the shrines are located is about 4 Kms (Shve).

FULL INFORMATION

Steps – 3364
Height-2000 ft…7.5 mile
Pratima – 27007
Jinmandir-3507
Pagla-1500 

In context of reverence and art, Palitana is the topmost pilgrimage of Jainism. There are auspicious pilgrimages in every state of the country but every pilgrimage points towards Palitana. Countless saints, great souls and asceties have attained the supreme salvation here.

In every particle of this pilgrimage there is the radiance of transcendence and omniscience. Each and every ‘Kankar’ (pebble) of this place is Shankar (Lord Shiva). Every particle of the soil of this pilgrimage is in itself a holiest temple. Besmearing the forehead with the soil of this place is the basic process of destroying the sins of cycles of reincarnation.

It is said that even the gods pine for anointing their heads with the soil of Palitana. Not only humans but also the gods become blessed on getting a chance to go on a pilgrimage to Palitana. In fact Palitana is that pilgrimage where the divinity of the gods can be seen in every direction. However worried one may be, Palitana is that sacred land where the devotee becomes free from every worry.

It is believed that if anyone, has not travelled to the two pilgrimages – Palitana and Sammet Shikhar – his birth in a Jain family has become worthless. Being the topmost pilgrimage of Jainism, it is always overcrowded with pilgrims. The account of the divinity and magnificence of this pilgrimage has reached every nation of the world.