Jain temples on top of Shantrujaya hill, Palitana, Gujarat
© Aliaksandr Mazurkevich/Alamy Stock Phot
The sacred hills of Shatrunjaya
Today, for Mahavir Jayanti, we take you to the sacred (Jain) hills of Shatrunjaya (originally known as Pundarikgiri) in Gujarat. Shantrunjaya literally means ‘place of victory over inner enemies.’ Located near Palitana city, the hill hosts 865 Jain temples. Why is this hill so important to Jains? It is here that the first tirthankara of Jainism, Rishabha, gave his first sermon. The place also holds significance as Rishabha’s son made a shrine here, and grandson Pundarika Swami is believed to have attained moksha here. Today, the hill stands as a symbol of Jain heritage.
Related Images
The stone chariot inside the Vittala Temple complex at Hampi in Karnataka, India
Mangrove forest in Phang Nga Bay, Andaman Sea, Thailand
Lavender fields on the Valensole Plateau in Provence, France
Amer Fort in Rajasthan, India
Stari Most in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Yasuní National Park in Amazonian Ecuador
Ganga river, Lakshman Jhula, and Tera Manzil Temple in Rishikesh, India
Balsamroot wildflowers bloom below the Teton Mountains in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Today on Bing
Hairpin bends in Kolli Hills in Tamil Nadu, India
Apr 06, 2022
Garlands of red and yellow flowers, on Ugadi
Apr 06, 2019
