Shetrunjay Yatra

Understand

Most of the temples were built in and after the 11th century. The temples are spread mostly in nine clusters along the various ridges of the hill tops; some being vast temple complexes, while most are small in size. These clusters are known as Tunks. The main temple is dedicated to Rishabhanatha/Adinatha, the first Tirthankara of Jainism. These temples are constructed from marble and stones. More than 400,000 Jain pilgrims visit these temples every year. Every devout Jain aspires to climb to the top of the mountain at least once in their lifetime in efforts to attain karmic liberation, due to its sanctity. The steps for the trek starts in the southern part of the Palitana city, where there a number of monasteries, rest houses, shops and small temples. The stone-concrete stairs gently wind along the hill, climbing up into the fort and to the summit with temples. Along this climb, are small temples, rest stops with drinking water for the pilgrims and visitors to sit and rest before resuming their trek. Near the fort, the steps fork into two. The eastern side typically is the entrance for a traditional clockwise circumambulation of the temples, while the other the exit. The trek involves climbing along a 2.5 mile-long hilly trail of about 3745 steps taking one 1800 feet above sea level. Some elderly pilgrims hire palanquin (doli) to be manually carried from the town at the base of the hills to the temples on the hilltop.

Prepare

The code for the pilgrims is stringent, in keeping with the rigours of the Jainism. Food must neither be eaten nor carried on the way. The descent must begin before it is evening, for no one can remain atop the sacred hill during the night. The religious practice also involves pilgrimage by fasting throughout the journey to and from the shrines. Silence and prayers are the order of the day when one is climbing up the hills on pilgrimage. Fasting continues until they have returned to the auditorium of Anandji Kalyanji Trust at the foothill. The temples are not visited by the pilgrims during the monsoon season (from Ashadh Sud 14 to Kartik Sud 15 according to local Jain calendar).

1 Anandji Kalyanji Trust Office (Anandji Kalyanji ni Pedhi). (updated Jul 2023)

See

Phase-I On the foothill, the group of shrine with the large open portico is known as 1 Jay Taleti. . The face of the hill is worshiped here by pilgrims. The pilgrims who could not climb the hill worship here and consider it equivalent to the pilgrimage. 2 Kavad Yaksha shrine. on the right is dedicated to presiding Yaksha deity of the hill. There are few more shrines here dedicated to Gautamswami, Adinath and Ajitnath. The trek of the hill starts on the right. There are several large temples here. 3 Govindji Khonanu Mandir. is on the left. It is followed by large temple known as 4 Babu nu Derasar (Ghan Vasahi). It was dedicated in Samvat 1949. In a compound next to the temple, there are large 5 Kausaggiya Adinath statues. Next to it is the 6 Jal Mandir (Pavapuri Mandir). which built in similar fashion to that in Bihar. The temple is surrounded by a water tank. Climbing few steps, there is a large open compound with the multi-storey temple known as the 7 108 Parshwanath Samavasaran Temple. This modern temple was built at the base of the hills . It has a small museum at the lower level. Near the gate, there is a small footpath leading to 8 Saraswati shrine. This cave like shrine is dedicated to the Goddess of knowledge. The trek goes from here until the 2 rest. After climbing few more steps, the 9 Kirti Stambh (Chaturmukh Rishabh Jin Prasad). , the newest of the temples, is reached. This four-sided tower-like temple is dedicated to Adinatha. After few steps, there are 10 footprints of Bharat Chakravarti. which was installed in Samvat 1685 near the 3 rest. Climbing further, one reaches 4 rest and waterbooth near Ichchha Kund. The kund well was built in Samvat 1681. There is a 11 Shrine with footprints of Rishabhdev; Neminath and his Ganadhara Vardatt. near it. After passing by 5 rest. , and another 6 rest and waterbooth called Lili Parab. , one can see the 12 shrine with footprints of Adinatha. on high platform. The next stop is 13 Kumar Kund rest and waterbooth. . After some steep climb, one reaches the 14 Hinglajno Hado (Hinglaj Mata shrine). Goddess Hinglaj, a form of Goddess Ambika, is worshiped here in a shrine. After climbing few steps of windi