For the Jain communities all around the world, this has to be one of the most hallowed places of worship. Palitana Temple Cluster is a collection of 863 temples devoted to the Jain gods located atop the Shatrunjaya Hills. No of the size, all of these places of worship are pristine and sumptuous, and the peak can be reached after trekking up roughly 3,000 steps from the foothills. The major temple on top is dedicated to St Tirthankara, and the construction of these sacred doors of religion dates back to the 10th century and is thought to have taken over 900 years to complete. The current structures have been refurbished multiple times, yet the authenticity and spirituality of the site have not been tampered with.

Temple Architecture
Palitana's temples have beautiful architecture and are ornately and lavishly carved and adorned. The temple architecture's magnificence comes from the fact that it was built in such a unique way that the sunshine changes the marble buildings into an ivory shield. The temple of Adishwar is the holiest of the 863 temples. This Tirth Sthal for Jains is mostly composed of marbles and features towering, hefty pillars with multiple apertures, similar to a conventional Hindu temple. Geometric lace designs, artistically carved ceilings, and clustered shapes of canopies adorn the interiors, which are very delicately and finely crafted.

History
In the hearts of faithful Jains, the hill remains a particularly special and religious place. The sanctity of the Palitana temples stems from the fact that according to the ancient Jain writings Shatrunjaya Mahatmya, the 1st Tirthankara, Rishabh, preached his first sermon here and successfully sanctified the hills. Pundarika, his grandson, is supposed to have gained nirvana here in the Shatrunjaya hills (the current Shatrunjaya hills were formerly known as Pundarikgiri). Bharata Chakravartin, Pundarik's father and Baahubali's half-brother, is claimed to have visited the hills multiple times. He constructed a temple to commemorate his father Rishabh's life.

Religious Practice
Tunks are the temples that are gathered here, and it is vital for Jains to do this pilgrimage yatra at least once in their lives, similar to the Char Dham Yatra for Hindus. The majority of the pilgrims walk the entire way barefoot, and they cover their mouths when giving puja to the Tirthankaras inside the temple, as is customary, to ensure that no insects are accidentally consumed. This is also one of the reasons why they don't use lanterns, and the aarti is really performed using a covered lantern. Some people even undertake this pilgrimage while fasting. It is indeed considered a sin to eat anything while on the hill. People are expected to protect the sacredness of this area by being silent and praying as they climb the stairs. Fasting continues until the pilgrims return to the Anandji Kalyanji Trust auditorium on the foothill.

Festivals
The 6 Gaon or Chha Gau Teerth Yatra, which takes place between February and March, is a pilgrimage undertaken by thousands of Jain followers in order to achieve salvation or nirvana. Three times as many Jain devotees attend this temple complex during this time. Another notable celebration that takes place here is the Purnima or full moon day when the Jains flock here in huge numbers because this is also the day that the temple complex gates reopen after being shut for four months during the monsoon season. Pilgrims walk the 21.6-kilometer circumambulation of the Shatrunjaya hill and pray to Lord Adinath, whose shrine is located on top of the hill. Another important celebration in Palitana is Mahavir Jayanti, or Lord Mahavira's birthday. Fasting and almsgiving to the less fortunate are part of the ceremonies, as is offering devotion to the large procession bringing the images of Tirthankara in huge painted chariots.

Things to Do
Bhavnagar — located 51 kilometers from Palitana, Bhavnagar offers a variety of family-friendly attractions such as Victoria Park, Khodiya Mandir, and Nishkalank Mahadev temple.
Vallabhipur - This tourist site is located in Palitana's northern district, and it was originally the capital of Palitana. Here you may see the ruins as well as a very educational museum.
Lothal - The location of the prehistoric Indus valley civilization is connected by a good network of roadways. Lothal is one of the most important remains that reflect the life and times of a bygone age, and visiting it will make you feel as if you've stepped back in time.
How to Reach:
By Air — The closest airport to Palitana is Bhavnagar, which is around 51 kilometers away. The airport receives a high number of flights from all of India's major and minor cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad, among others. Palitana cab services are available here.
By Train — The nearest railhead is likewise in Bhavnagar, around 55–56 kilometers away. It is well connected to Ahmedabad by several trains, and several trains traveling in Gujarat make stops here.
By Road — The road leading to the temple complex is well-maintained and well-connected. State-run transportation is available from Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Una, and Talaja, among other places.

Best Time to Visit:
The weather here is nice all year due to its location in a wide-open space on high terrain. If you don't mind the heat, summertime, when the daytime temperature can reach 40 degrees Celsius, is a fantastic time to come. During the monsoon season, the compound is closed to Darshan. Winter, which lasts from October to February and sees temperatures ranging from 10 to 24 degrees Celsius, is perhaps one of the greatest times to visit. Apart from the weather clearing, the surrounding attractiveness is enhanced even more by the luxuriant foliage at this time.