History:

is one of the most sacred sites in India. The Palitana temples comprises of 863 marble-clad Jain temples that are beautifully decorated with intricate carvings and 4800 steps that lead up to the temples. These temples were constructed over a period of 900 years, making it one of the oldest and most sacred pilgrimage sites for the Jain community. It is believed to offer salvation and enlightenment to Jain devotees who follow it and also houses the image of Shantinath, the 16th Tirthankar in the Jain faith. In addition to being a popular holy site, Palitana Temples is considered a world heritage site by UNESCO. It is one of the best temple in Gujarat which you must visit.

Facts:

1. Palitana temples are located in Palitana, Gujarat, India. 2. The cluster of Palitana temples is considered one of the most magnificent temple complexes in India. 3. The cluster of temples was built between the 11th and 13th centuries as Jainism began to flower in Gujarat. 4. The main temple, Shatrunjaya Hill, is dedicated to Adinath, the first of the 24 Jain Tirthankaras. 5. The cluster consists of 863 marble temples, many of which are exquisitely carved in gold. 6. The temples are spread over an area of 3.5 kilometers on the Shatrunjaya Hill. 7. Climbing the 4,550 steps to reach the top of the temple complex is an arduous but rewarding journey. 8. The hill is dotted with ancient trees and shrines. 9. The Palitana temple complex was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2019. 10. Palitana is also home to the Jain Derasar, a 16th century temple complex dedicated to the gods Rishabhanatha and Shantinath. Here are some facts about the Gujarat temple.These facts will help you understand why it is oldest temple list of the best temples in Gujarat

Worship Method:

The Palitana temples, located in the town of Shatrunjaya in Gujarat, India, follow a unique worship method. Every morning, at dawn, the priests offer pooja, a ritual offering of prayer and food, to the many deities housed in the temples. The offerings usually consist of a coconut, fruit, flowers, said (a type of holy water), and hervra or prasad (offerings of sweets). After pooja, the devotees perform the arti, a form of ritual offering, with lamps, incense, and camphor. Later in the day, the devotees visit the temple for darshan, the viewing of the deities, after completing certain steps, such as washing their feet and offering obeisance. They can offer coins, fruits, flowers, and other items to the deities. In the evening, devotees perform the aarti, a ritual offering of lamps, music, and prayer which is believed to bring blessings from the deity. The rituals and offerings of each temple may differ, and some temples may not even follow pooja and aarti. Irrespective of the method, devotees believe that a visit to the Palitana temples can bring about mental peace, contentment, and inner growth. This most visited temple in Gujarat

Opening Timing:

The Palitana Temples in Gujarat are open from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day. top temples in Gujarat

How to reach:

By Train The nearest railway station to reach the Palitana temples is Bhavnagar, which is well-connected to major cities like Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara. From Bhavnagar, you can hire a taxi (or rickshaw) to visit the temples. By Air The nearest airport is Bhavnagar Airport, which is located around 80 km from Palitana. Bhavnagar Airport is connected to major cities like Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Indore, Surat and Vadodara. You can either hire a cab or take a bus from the airport to reach Palitana. By Bus Palitana has its own bus station, which is well-connected to cities like Surat, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and other towns of Gujarat. You can easily take a direct bus from these cities to Palitana. famous temples in Gujarat