From afar, the temple complex looks like a cluster of pure white and pale brown castles cascading down the green hill. But the way I see it, that is not the only thing that makes this site beautiful. Its real beauty lies in its upholding of universal brotherhood. Perched atop the Shatrunjaya hills is the Jain community’s holy pilgrimage site–the Palitana temple. Few places of worship look beyond the mundaneness of manmade constructs like belief systems, race, sex, caste and creed, as the Palitana tirth does. It stands out for the peaceful co-existence of a dargah (Muslim place of worship) and temples within the same complex.
Located in Bhavnagar district in the state of Gujarat, the Palitana Jain temple is the world’s largest temple complex. It is said to be dedicated to the 24 Tirthankaras (spiritual teachers of dharma, the righteous path) of the Jain community. Jains believe that the Tirthankaras blessed the Palitana tirth, making it a must-visit pilgrimage for the Jain community. It is a belief among Jains that a visit to Palitana temple once in their lifetime will help them attain nirvana (liberation from the cycle of life and death).
Built over a period of 900 years, the Palitana jain temple is an architectural marvel, and I could easily see why. When the sun rays fall on this huge temple complex, it looks as if it is carved out of ivory, making it a majestic sight to behold. The Palitana tirth is a cluster of 863 temples with towers, columns and openings. The cluster is further divided into nine wings that have a central shrine surrounded by smaller shrines, and together with their walls of marble, they look like a canopy on the hills.
Legend has it that the Pir lived on the hills of Shatrunjaya during the 14th century. When Khilji dynasty ruler Alauddin Khilji plundered the temple for riches, the Sufi saint is said to have protected the Palitana with the sheer power of prayer and devotion.
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