Mount Shatrunjaya

Shatrunjaya
Climbing the stairs of Shatrunjaya Maha Tirth
Highest point
Elevation	580 m (1,900 ft) archaeological survey of india
Coordinates	21°28′6″N 71°48′0″E / 21.46833°N 71.80000°E / 21.46833; 71.80000Coordinates: 21°28′6″N 71°48′0″E / 21.46833°N 71.80000°E / 21.46833; 71.80000
Geography
Shatrunjaya Location in Gujarat
Location	Palitana, Bhavnagar district, Gujarat

Shatrunjaya ("place of victory against inner enemies") originally Pundarikgiri), also spelt Shetrunjaya are hills located by the city of Palitana, in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, India. They are situated on the banks of the Shetrunji River at an elevation 164 feet (50 m) above sea level. These hills have similarities to other hills where Jain temples have been built in Bihar, Gwalior, Mount Abu and Girnar.

The Jain's sacred site of Shatrunjaya contains hundreds of Palitana temples. The hills were sanctified when Rishabha, the first tirthankara of Jainism, gave his first sermon in the temple on the hill top. The ancient history of the hills is also traced to Pundarika Swami, a chief Ganadhara and grandson of Rishabha, who attained salvation here. His shrine located opposite to the main Adinath temple, built by his son Bharata, is also worshiped by pilgrims.

There are several alternate spellings, including Śatruñjaya, Satrunjaya, Shetrunja, and Shetrunjo. Shatrunjaya was also known as Pundarikgiri as Pundarik was said to have attained nirvana on this mountain. Alternate names include Siddhakshetra or Siddhanchal as many thirtankaras are stated to have received enlightenment here.

Jains refer to their temples as derasaras. Shatrunjaya, the name for Mount Shatrunjaya where it is located, means a "place of victory" or "which conquers enemies".

The Gulf of Khambhat is to the south of the Shatrunjaya Hills, Bhavnagar town is to its north, and a river flows between the two hills. Legend states that the hill is a part of the Himalayas. A path along the ridge leads down to the Adipur valley, a distance of 13 kilometres (8.1 mi). Palitana town is at the base of the foothills, 56 kilometres (35 mi) from Bhavanagar. The topography is rugged while the landscape is drought-affected.