Travel Agent for Palitana
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Located in the Saurashtra region, which is famous for its spectacular temple sites, cities, beautiful beaches, and wildlife. Apart from the temples, Palitana is also famous as an important center for horse breeding, diamond cutting and manufacturing of harmoniums and weighing scales. We are a leading travel agent for India and offer complete travel and tour services to Palitana
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Some of the important tourist sites in Palitana are:
The quiet little town of Palitana, in the western Indian state of Gujarat, is the gateway to the 863 Jain temples perched on the summit of the 603-m-high Shatrunjaya Hill. Palitana serves as a base for the devotees wishing to climb the 3,950 stone steps up the hill to reach the exquisite temples that are as much holy shrines as architectural marvels.
Scaling the 3 km distance uphill to the tolling of temple bells and chanting of devotees, one is treated to a perfect blend of architectural brilliance, absolute devotion and above all human enterprise. The sight of the temples resplendent with an array of sculptures and carvings is well worth the two-hour trek up the hill. From the peak, the entire town of Palitana and the Shatrunjaya River nearby seem to bask in the presence of these unique temples. One of the most important pilgrimages of the Swatambara sect of Jainism, making a pilgrimage to this place is believed to be a means of attaining salvation.
Built over a period of 900 years, and one of the holiest sites for the Jains, most of the temples at Palitana are dedicated to Rishabhdev, the first Jain Tirthankar, called Adinath or Adishwar. The place is also called the Siddhakshetra, as all the Jain Tirthankars except Neminath are believed to have attained nirvana (enlightenment) here.
Of the 863 shrines, the most important is the Chaumukh temple, which is open on all four sides, and houses a four-faced idol of Adinath placed on a marble pedestal.
The Vimalshah temple is, architecturally, one of the most impressive. It is planned as a large square subdivided into smaller squares, each structure topped by a dome.
However, the most profusely decorated is the Adiswara temple, which has the motif of dragons, carved intricately into its ornate pillars and roofs. Other temples worth architectural mention are the Sampriti Raja and Kumarpal.
Bounded by strong walls, the temples are divided into nine tuks (enclosures) where each major temple has several minor ones clustered around it. The structure and style of the temples are essentially medieval comprising an entrance porch, hallway, assembly hall, sanctum sanctorum, and circumambulatory. The smaller temples are simpler, sometimes with a small assembly hall outside the sanctum or with just the sanctorum. The temple ceremonies are unique experiences and must not be missed. Also worth seeing are the jewels that adorn the idols on special occasions.
On a knoll on the same hill is the tomb of a Muslim saint, Angar Pir. It is believed that the saint saved the temples on the hill from being looted by Afghan marauders. Today, childless couples offer tiny cradles at the shrine in the hope of being blessed with a child by the Pir.
So all set for the trip to Palitana? As an experienced travel agent for Palitana we can take care of your entire trip from tour planning, air booking, railway reservation to car rentals and hotel bookings.
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