Palitana temples
| Shri Shatrunjaya Tirtha, Palitana | |
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| Siddhachal, Vimalgiri, Siddhagiri | |
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 Location of Palitana Temples in Gujarat
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| Basic information | |
| Location | Palitana, Bhavnagar district, Gujarat |
| Geographic coordinates | 21°28′58.8″N 71°47′38.4″E / 21.483000°N 71.794000°ECoordinates: 21°28′58.8″N 71°47′38.4″E / 21.483000°N 71.794000°E |
| Affiliation | Jainism |
| Deity | Rishabhanatha |
| Festivals | Mahavir Jayanti, Falgun Feri |
| Governing body | Anandji Kalyanji Trust |
| Specifications | |
| Temple(s) | 863 |
| Monument(s) | 2700 |
| Elevation | 603 m (1,978 ft)3600 |
The Palitana temples of Jainism are located on Shatrunjaya hill by the city of Palitana in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, India. The city of the same name, known previously as Padliptapur, has been dubbed "City of Temples". Shatrunjaya means a "place of victory against inner enemies" or "which conquers inner enemies".
This site on Shatrunjaya hill is considered sacred by Svetambara Jains. It is said that 23 of 24 Jain Tirthankaras, except Neminatha, sanctified the hill by their visits. There are approximately 863 marble-carved temples on the hills spread mostly in nine clusters, some being vast temple complexes, while most small in size. The main temple is dedicated to Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankara; it is the holiest shrine for the Svetambara Murtipujaka sect. The main temple is reached by stepping up 3500 steps. Along with Shikharji in the state of Jharkhand, the two sites are considered the holiest of all pilgrimage places by the Jain community. Jains believe that a visit to this group of temples is essential as a once in a life time chance to achieve nirvana or salvation.
Of note, Digambara Jains have only one temple here on the hills.
Interestingly, Hingraj Ambikadevi (known as Hinglaj Mata is considered as the presiding deity of the hill, who is a Hindu Goddess worshiped mostly in Baluchistan province of Pakistan, Sindh province, Kucth and Saurashtra provinces of Gujarat state, and near by regions.
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