India : Gujarat : Attractions & Excursions and Important Information - 5

Guys, here is the last chapter on Gujarat. I just elaborated some good and important information about Gujarat which help you to sort out your problems if raised during your visit at Gujarat.

Angar Pir:

Near the Adishwar temple is the Muslim shrine of Angar Pir. Childless couples make offerings of miniature cradles at this shrine in the hope of being blessed with children.

Jain Museum:

Palitana has 2 trust run Jain museums. the Shri Vishal Jain Kala Sansthan and the Stapitya Kala graha, with cloth paintings, manuscripts, palm leaf books, book covers, ivory sculpture and paintings on ivory and figurines.

Bhavnagar:

It is a rich princely city around 62 kms away from Palitana. The place is also a base for the tourists visiting Palitana.

Lothal:

A famous site of the Indus Valley Civilization, it is around 143 kms away from here on the way of Ahmedabad.

Valbhipur:

It is located at North of Palitana and was once the capital of this region. Extensive ruins have been located and archaeological finds are exhibited in a museum nearby.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS:

Four special fairs are organised at the Palitana pilgrimage every year - Kartik Purnima, Falgun Shukla Trayodashi, Chaitra Poornima and Baishakhi Shukla Tritiya. Another fair is held on Baishakh Krishna six. In fact, this day is the day of consecration of Lord Aadinath in the main Toonk by Mantri (minister) Karma Saha. On Falgun Trayodashi more than one lakh people walk in procession for over 10 kilometers.

SHOPPING:

Palitana is a good place to shop for textiles related handicrafts and has a Jain Kala Sanstha. Visitors with special interest in temple ornaments an contact the Hill Inspector or The Manager, Anandji Kalyanji Trust, for viewing the jewellery that adorn the dieties on ceremonial occasions.

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTERS:

TCGL (Gujarat Tourism),: 079 - 26589683

Tourist Information Center, Palitana,: 252327

MONEY CHANGERS:
State Bank of Sauharashtra : 252118

Indian Overseas Bank : 252262

IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS:

Police Station : 243301/03

Railway Enquiry :252708

Government Hospital :252175

Indian Airline Office, Bhavnagar, :0278-2439168

Guys have a memorable visit at Gujarat!!

India : Gujarat : Attractions and Excursions - 3

Image Source: Palitana Temple

Palitana is actually the modified present name of Padlipatapur. Being unvanquished by the enemies, it is also called "Shatrunjaya" (vanquisher of enemies). the path winds through 3950 steps for a trying 3.5 km up the scrub covered Shatrunjaya Hills. Much of the track is unshaded and the higher you climb the more the heat haze skimmers across the plains for below. And then, after two hours and quarter, Palitana spreads white and crenelated above you. Camelot must have been like this, rising above the plains, wrapped in its own mystique. Some of the 900 temples of Palitana were built in the 11th century. Construction activity, however, spanned 900 years. As successive worshipers of the non-violent and trading Jain community designed their own temples, they cleared the crest of the hill, leveled it into terraces, walled and fortified most of them.

Visitors naturally wonder how such a mammoth task of covering the entire summit with temples has been achieved. The answer is simple. Generations after generations of Jain devotees have spent money on some construction or the other on the Shatrunjaya. This is aptly described in Ras Mala thus: There is hardly a city in India, through its length and breadth, that has not supplied at one time or other, contributions of wealth to the edifices which crown the hill of Palitana.

Because of its sanctity, every devout Jain aspires to climb to the top of the mountain at least once in his lifetime. The journey is arduous. The walk up the stone stairway hewn into the mountain face takes about an hour and a half. For those unable or unaccustomed to the strain. sling-chairs are available at a bargain. The code for the climbers stringent, in keeping with the rigours of the Jain faith. Food must neither be eaten nor carried on the way.

The descent must begin before it is evening, for no soul can remain atop the sacred mountain during the right and Gods are to be left alone. Such is the mystique of Palitana, the summit of Shatrunjaya.

The mount Shatrunjaya lies hardly a kilometer away from the town, the way which is now dotted on both she sides by sarais and minor temple. The mountain is associated with Rishabhdev, the first Tirthankar, also known as Aadinath. This great journey performed by the first Tirthankar Shri Raishabhdev, is in itself an inspiration for the followers of Jainism. Even today thousands of devotees visit the pilgrimage 99 times which is called "Navanu Yatra". Due to special connection with Lord Aadinath the solemnization of the "Varshee-tap" (penance performed for full one year) is also done by people here on "Akshay Tritiya" or "Aakkhateej". Every year thousands of "Varshee-tap" observers visit the pilgrimage and perform final rituals of this "top" (Penance) here.

"Top" is the main feature of Jainism. "Varshee-Tap" (one full year of penance) is considered to be the longest and the hardest. But, thousands of Jains every year observe this "tap". In this "tap" fasting is observed on one day and food is taken on the next day. This sequence continues for full one year. The "parna" (concluding ritual of this "tap") is considered to be auspiciously important both at Hastinapur and Palitana.

The journey to Palitana Pilgrimage begins with a dip in the Shatrunjaya river. On the pathway first comes the "Baawan Jinalaya" temple which stands at the foothill. It was built in Samvat 1950 by Shresthi Dhanpat Singh Lakshmipat Singh. There are fifty-two ("Baawan") cells in this temple.