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 Excrusions - 4

Guys, there are several other small temples which contain feet-images of Chakravarty Bharat, Lord Neminath's Ganadhar Vardatt, Lord Aadinath, Parshwanath and the images of Varikhill, Naarad, Ram, Bharat, Shuk Paribrajak, Thawachcha Putra, Selak, Suri, Jail, Mayali and other gods and goddesses. Midway, we came across Kumarpal-kund and Sala-kund as well. Near Sala-Kund lies Jinendra Toonk, in which are the idols of the gurus and the gods. Among these idols, the images of Mother Padamavati Devis is very beautiful from the art point of view.

Image Source: Google

On proceeding a little further we find the road bifurcated one leads to Nine Toonks and the other to the main Toonk of Lord Aadinath. On going towards the main Toonk, first of all Ram Pal and Goadhan Pol are seen. Further, while entering Haathi Pol, Sooraj Kund, Bheem Kund and Ishwar Kund are seen.

On the road to nine Toonks the first Toonk is that of Seth Narshi Keshav who got this Toonk built in Somvat 1921. The idol of Trithankar Shanitinath adornks this beautiful Jinalaya.

Second is the Kharatarwasahi Toonk. This is also called Chaumukhji's Toonk. This temple is built on the northern summit of the hill. This is the highest Toonk among all the Toonks built on the Shatrunjay Hill. The lafty top fo this temple can be seen from for away. The renovation of this very lafty Jinalaya was done in Samvat 1675 by Seth Sadasomji. Four huge idols of Lord Aadinath adorn this temple as the Chaumukhji facing four sides of Lord Aadinath. In this very Toonk, the temple of Tirthankar Rishabhdev's mother Marudevi is also built. At the rear portion of this temple are the idols of five Pandavas, mother Kunti and Draupadi.

The third Toonk was built by Cheepa brother; therefore it is called Cheepawasahi Toonk. Tirthankar Rishabhadev adrorns, as the principal deity, this temple which was built in Samvat 1791.
The fourth Toonk is Saakarwasahi. In this Toonk built by Seth Saakarchanad Premchand, there are teh idols of four immortal Jineshwars Rishbhanan, Chandranan, Varishen and Vardhamaan.

The sixth Toonk, Heemwasahi, was built by Heema Bhai in Samvat 1886. Here the principal deity is Lord Shree Aadinath.

The seventh is Premwasahi Toonk. Built by Modi Shree Premchandra Lavjee, the principal deity of this temple is Trithankar Shree Rishbhdev.

The eight one is Balawasahi Toon. This temple was renovated in Samvat 1193 by Bala Bhai. The principal deity of this temple is Lord Aadinath.

The ninth is Motishah Toonk. This is the biggest temple had been built by Seth Motishaha, and his worthy son Khemchand had got it consecrated on Samvat 1893. This temple is in itself a cluster of some big and some small temples. The principal deity of this temple is Lord Shree Aadinath.

A special temple has been built near Premwasahi Toonk. An 18-feet high idol of Tirthankar Aadinath in Padmasan (lotus posture) adorn this temple. This idol is also identified as "Adbhut Baba".

The idol of Tirthankar Rishabhdev adorns the main Toonk of Shatrunjay hill. This white-colored holy image is 2.19 meters high. People pine for seeing and worshipping this extremely holy idol. Just on viewing this idol, a sea of devotion surges on. It is due to the holiness of the hill and this idol that it has been said, " He who hasn't visited Shatrunjay pilgrimage is living in womb".

On the rear portion of the temple is the Ravan Tree, which is very ancient. It is said that Tirthankar Aadinath had practiced a long penance under this very tree. Huge image of foot-prints of Tirthankar Aadinath measuring 47 x 25 inches adorn this place. Besides the hill in Palitana, at the fool-hill are Somawasaran Temple, Aagam Temple, Jamboo Dweep, Sprawling Museum, etc. which are worth a visit. The Journey to this great pilgrimage is really the most fortunate moment of life.

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.

India : Gujrat : The Temple clad Summit of Shatrunjaya : Palitana Temples - 1

Image Source: Palitana Temples by Google

Guys, let us move with me towards GUJARAT.

Fringed by the Arabian Sea, with a hint of the desert and with a sea coast 1650 kms long is Gujarat - the home state of Mahatma Gandhi. It is renowned for its beaches, temple towns and historic capitals. Added attractions are wildlife sanctuaries, hill resorts, and natural grandeur. Sculpture, handicrafts, arts also make the state rich. Gujarat is also among the most technologically advanced, housing the largest petrochemical complex in the country.

Gujarat has always been a major center for the Jains, and some of its most interesting sights are Jain Temple centers like those at Palitana and at Girnar Hill, near Junagadh.

Apart from its Jain temples, Gujarat's major attractions include the only habitant of the Asiatic Lions in India (In the Gir Forest) and the fascinating Indo-Saracenic architecture of Ahmedabad. The colourful tribal villages of Kutch make a visit to this barren land worth it.

Commanding a special place on the Gujarat traveler's map, Palitana is a "MUST VISIT" destination for those who would like to see what the subtle combination fo human enterprise, architectural skills, philanthropy and channelized religious fevor can achieve. The entire summit of the majestic moun Shantrunjaya is crowned with about 900 temples, each rivaling the other for beauty and magnificence, presenting on awe-inspiring spectacle to devotees and visitors.

Map Source : Gujarat Tourist Map by Google

Originally the town was an imperial thana which later grew into the capital of Palitana State of princely Kathiawad (Kathiawar). The feuds and rivalries culminating into battles during the region of the Rajput King Unadji reminds us of the sacrificial chivalry of an age that has passed into history. Taking advantage of the occupation of the Bhavnagar army with Maratha forces, Unadji had attacked Sihor. In retaliation Gohil Wakhatsinhji, the then ruler of Bhavnagar, laid siege on Palitana. Unadji's stubborn resistance which compelled the Bhavnagar forces to retire is even today, many generations later, remembered by the natives of this templetown.