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SHRI SHATRUNJAYA - PALITANA TIRTHA
SHRI ADESHWAR BHAGAVAN
ॐ
MAMM
DOOR
Tre
22 1121
This Tirtha is situated at a distance of 48 kms. from Bhavnagar and 29 kms. from Sihor in Saurashtra, is generally looked upon as a Tirtha of all times. The first ever Tirthankara of Jains dharma and the for most of persons to give rise to human civilization, Shri Rishabhadeva Bhagavan visited this sacred place ninety nine times. All the twenty three Tirthankaras, except Shri Neminath Bhagavan, delivered to all humanity the auspicious, message of Jaina dharma. Being a great city of temples, Shatrunjaya Tirtha is Siddhakshetra of all times as defined and approved by the Agamas. The central figure in this complex is Shri Adeshvara Bhagavan with his white and pure complexion, seated on a lotus-shaped SEAT. The mountain consists of a height of 1640 feet and the expanse of the castle over it is spread over twenty acres. It has nine hill-tops and consists of 108 large temples and 872 small shrines, with some 7000 images of Shri Jina. In the whole world, you will not come across such a vast number of images, all atone place, or, just at one place and this height; temples, consisting of such lovely architecture in such a vast number. In ancient times it is said, that Pundarikaswami, the Ganadhara of Bhagavan Rishabhadeva renounced the world to attain to emancipation at this holy place. The mountain is therefore named as Pundarikagiri after him. In theAvasarpini period this great Tirthaconsisting of 108 names, was repaired as many as sixteen times. A pilgrimage to this Tirtha is said to be an equivalent to 100 pilgrimages. Every year to-day, more than 4 lakhs of pilgrims, observing six restraints in form of Sanghas pay a visit to this unique tirtha for pilgrimage. The road leading to the top from the valley is 21/4 miles in length and has 3750 steps. Perhaps, we can look upon this tirtha as unparallelled in the whole world as created by a keen spirit of religion without state patronage and of course without forced labour.
