Overview
A temple city rather than a temple: roughly 900 marble shrines in nine walled clusters, called tuks, covering the summit of Shatrunjaya hill. With Shikharji, it is the holiest of Shvetambara tirthas. Sect: Shvetambara.
History
The earliest dated physical evidence is an image of Pundarika of 1006 CE, and a layperson's image of 1075 CE. The great majority of the standing shrines are later, and the hill was rebuilt repeatedly.
Spiritual Significance
Nothing else in Jainism looks like Shatrunjaya. The hill has been built on continuously for a thousand years, entirely in marble carried up on foot, and by custom nobody sleeps on the hill: the temples are for the deities, and pilgrims descend before nightfall. Tradition holds that Rishabhanatha delivered his first sermon here. It is one of the five Pancha Tirth of the Shvetambara tradition.
Pilgrimage Information
Getting there and getting in. The ascent is roughly 3,500 steps over about two kilometres, on foot. Palanquins are available for those who cannot climb. Start early: the heat on the bare hillside is serious, and the descent must be completed before dark. Jain temples of this rank commonly prohibit leather articles, restrict photography, and expect bathing before worship. Where this page does not state a restriction, it is because no source documented one for this particular site, not because none applies. Confirm on arrival.
Preservation
Protection status. Not established in the sources consulted.
Sources
- Shatrunjaya other
- Palitana temples other
About this page
Researched and written by YatraBeyond from published sources, and not yet confirmed by the temple. Facts here are cross-checked against at least two independent sources, never written from memory, and every source is listed above.
Last reviewed by us: 2026-09-17. Timings, entry rules and access can change without notice; treat anything time-sensitive as a starting point and confirm before you travel.
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