Adinath of the Ikshvagu dynasty of Ayodhya used to visit this area many times. Later he came and meditated here on the Shatrunjay hill. He was the first Thirthangara and the main temple at the top of the hill is dedicated to him. Altogether there are more than 3000 temples in these hills and all are exquisitely carved in marbles.
There is a cluster of Jain temples on the Shatrunjay hill. These temples have been built in a period of 900 years by various Jains, that is from 11th century onwards. There are about 3,800 stone steps cut to facilitate climbing to the top of the hill from the ground.
The Jains have strict code for climbing these hills as they believe that the whole hill from the top to the bottom is sacred. They cannot eat anything while climbing the hills. They have to start descending the steps before evening as no one can stay the night in the sacred mountain.
There is a muslim shrine of Angan Pir, at the top of the hill. Childless couple visit the temple to offer miniature cradles to the Pir and seek the Pir's blessings to be blessed with children
How to reach Palitana
Palitana is located at about 50 kilometers from Bhavnagarin the state of Gujarat India.
Bhavnagar airport is the nearest one to go to Palitana and is about 36 kilometers away.
If you are travelling by rail Palitana has a small railway station and is about 5 kilometers from the hills of Palitana. This is connected to Bhavnagar and Songadh.
As for the bus services there are regular buses plying from Bhavnagar and the other neighbouring towns of Ahmedabad, Talaja, Una, and Diu.
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