Shatrunjay Giriraj Darshan in Sculptures and Architecture

Author(s): Kanchansagarsuri
Publisher: Aagamoddharak Granthmala

Page 55

There are four kinds of 'Tirthas''Naam' 'Sthapana', 'Dravya' and 'Bhaava'. There cannot be an easy liberation without 'Tirtha'. Shri Shatrunjay is unique in which it includes all the four kinds of 'Tirthas'. The First Tirthankar, Shri Aadishwar, blessed Shatrunjay. The first temple was erected by Bharat Chakravarti.
Shri Shatrunjay Giriraj Darshan
One can reach Palitana by train, bus, etc. There is a lot of temples and caravansarais in Palitana. Most of the pilgrims start on Giriraj from Jay Taleti. The Giriraj has over a 1,000 temples.
CHAPTER 5
YATRA (PILGRIMAGE)
PHASE 1
There is a Babu temple on Jay Taleti. The 'Yatra' has approx. 3,745 ladder steps, spreading over two miles. Its height is 1,800 ft above MSL.
PHASE 2
Climbing up one passes through Pagla-Deri, 'Kunds' and resting places (Visama). At Hingalaj Hada the slope is steep. There is a scenic view of Palitana from here. Proceeding further comes Hanuman Dhara, where the way bifurcates one going to Dada's Toonk and the other towards Nav Toonk.
In the direction of Dada's Toonk there comes Ramapole.
At present, the Giriraj has a fort around all Toonks and each Toonk has a security wall. The main gate to the fort is of Ramapole, whereas the other two gates are for Nav Toonk and Ghety's Baari.
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Through Ramapole one goes to Vaghanpole via Sagalpole. One can see a beautiful series of temples on both the sides from the gate of Vaghanpole. There is a Nemnath temple which has a 'Ranga Mandap (porch) containing partly prepared structures for wedding ceremony (Chori'). Proceeding further, there comes Paap-Punya Baari (Gates of