Palitana
Tags : Town
Time Required : October - February
Palitana, Bhavnagar Overview
Palitana, in Bhavnagar district, is built around Shatrunjaya Hill, one of Jainism's most important pilgrimage sites and home to more than 800 marble temples built over roughly nine centuries. Reaching the temple complex means climbing upward of 3,800 stone steps cut into the hillside, a climb pilgrims traditionally begin before sunrise and often complete barefoot as an act of devotion. The temples are grouped into walled enclosures called tuks, each built by a different Jain community or patron, with the most revered dedicated to Adinatha, the first Jain Tirthankara. At the base of the hill, the town itself has banned the sale of meat, fish and eggs and outlawed animal slaughter by municipal law, one of very few places in the world to enforce vegetarianism this way.
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Ticket Fee for Visiting Temples in Palitana
Visitors can enter the temples without paying any entrance fees. However, there is also a facility of Palki for older people who can’t climb the 3950 steps stretched across a distance of approximately 4 km. This facility has specific charges attached to it. Commonly referred to as Doli, (a carriage or sling-chair), if you are willing to go in a Doli without chairs, it costs around INR 2500 for two people, and if you are looking for a Doli with Chairs, the cost comes around INR 5000 for four people. During the peak season, the rates might often go up, however, in the offseason, it might be slashed to half of the mentioned cost.
Best Time to Visit Palitana
How to Reach Palitana
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Roadways- The frequency of buses running from Bhavnagar to Palitana makes travelling easy for those who are looking at transport medium at affordable rates. These buses are available every hour. Another route that one can choose to go by road is to board a bus from Diu, Ahmedabad, Talaja and Una. The roads are well-maintained, and hence, from Diu or Una, the journey to Palitana takes approximately 6 hours. The bus stand in Palitana is located at merely 800 meters away from the town's railway station. One can also hire a private taxi from any of the cities such as Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar and Vadodara.
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Railways- The trains that start from Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad run till Sihor from where one can proceed to Palitana via roadways. However, the railway station at Palitana is connected to Bhavnagar and Songadh via train.
Airways- If you wish to reach Palitana by airways then the nearest airport is in Bhavnagar. The other option is to fly till Ahmedabad, 215 km away from Palitana, after which you can travel the remaining distance by road. Ahmedabad International airport is connected to all the important cities such as Surat and Mumbai which gives tourists from faraway places to reach Palitana comfortably. However, considering the growing tourism in the region, the Gujarat government has undertaken the project of constructing an airport in Palitana. The project is still in its early stages.
Palitana, a part of the Saurashtra region is known for its spectacular beauty which envelopes the place and makes it an exciting tourist destination. The pilgrimage sites, beaches, wildlife and the scenic beauty in Palitana offers something for everyone whether the visitors are interested in completing the pilgrimage known for its sanctity or the tourist who are visiting to unwind in a serene atmosphere. So, everything is set for you to start planning your trip to the holy site of Palitana. The journey to the top of the hill requires the visitors to abide by some strict rules such as food can't be consumed on the way or carried by the visitors. Hence, tourists should prepare accordingly to have a smooth and memorable trip to Palitana.
Attractions in and around Palitana
The temples flaunt exquisite craftsmanship with the intricate marble carving and the creative motifs. All the temples have been clubbed under nine different temple complexes or tunks; each of these houses several smaller temples which have been built around the central temple. The Chaumukh Temple is among the most important of all the temples here, characterised with the holy deity of Adinath who has four-faces, carved on marble and placed in a temple which is open on all sides. The architecture of the Chaumukh temple, built at the beginning of the 17th century, is unique and inspired by the five sacred hills worshipped by the followers of Jainism.
Adishwar temple, another must-visit site is an architectural marvel with its beautifully carved pillars and roofs. You can see the talent of the artisans in their brilliant dragon-shaped carving inside. There is also a Muslim shrine nearby, Angar Pir, 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.
Museum & History Sites
The city of Bhavnagar is known to have a rich history of its rulers and thus, attracts tourists every year. The city also has the nearest airport to Palitana, and hence, is a popular choice among tourists. If you are a history buff, then you should know that 143 km away on the road to Ahmedabad, you can stop by to see a historical site named Lothal from the Indus Valley Civilization. A museum nearby the site showcases all the important discoveries from the excavation project.
