Nestled in the Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, India, Palitana stands as a remarkable blend of spiritual devotion, architectural splendour and ethical living. It is a major pilgrimage centre for the Jain community. In 2014 it officially declared the world’s first vegetarian city.
Here is a well-rounded look at Palitana—from its hill of temples to its unique vegetarian ethos, and Jain significance.
The Vegetarian City: Ethical Living in Practice
Palitana, World’s First Vegetarian City
What sets Palitana apart from most cities in the world is its legally enforced vegetarian status. Here’s how that came about and what it means:
- In 2014, following protests by around 200 Jain monks who went on a hunger strike, the city officially banned the sale, purchase and consumption of meat and eggs, and also animal slaughter.
- The ban reflects the Jain principle of non-violence (ahimsa) — not only avoiding harm to humans but to all living beings.
- Dairy products remain permitted in Palitana, since the ban focuses on meat and eggs.
- The vegetarian identity impacts dining, tourism and the character of the city, making Palitana unique even among religious destinations.
Why Palitana is Sacred for Jains
Palitana In Gujrat, World’s First Vegetarian City
The hill known as Shatrunjaya Hills (also spelled Shetrunjaya) rises above Palitana and hosts one of the most important temple complexes for the Jain faith.
- The temples are carved from marble and built over centuries. Some sources count about 863 temples on the hill.
- The hill’s name means “place of victory against inner enemies” — symbolising the Jain aim of conquering inner passions.
- Traditions hold that the first Tirthankara, Adinatha (also known as Rishabha), visited or sanctified this site.
- Pilgrims ascend roughly 3,500 stone steps to reach the summit temples—a spiritual journey in itself.
These elements make Palitana more than a tourist destination; it is a Maha Tirtha (great pilgrimage site) for Jains, signifying a path to liberation and spiritual merit.
Architecture, Art & Experience
Palitana, World’s First Vegetarian City
Visiting the Palitana temples is not just about religious observance; it’s an immersive experience of architecture, heritage and nature.
- The temple complex is spread across ridges of the hill, with each cluster (“tonk”) containing a main temple flanked by smaller shrines.
- Many temples were built over 900 years ago, and have been renovated across centuries.
- The visual appeal: white marble, ornate carvings, pillared halls and shimmering domes against the green hill landscape.
- Visitors often start pre-dawn to climb the steps in cooler light, with panoramic views of the surrounding region as reward.
