Palitana
Palitana | |
|---|---|
Town | |
View of Palitana | |
| Coordinates: 21°31′N 71°50′E / 21.52°N 71.83°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Gujarat |
| District | Bhavnagar |
| Named after | Padliptpuram |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal |
| • Body | Palitana municipal corporation |
| Area | |
• Total | 83.2 km2 (32.1 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 66 m (217 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 64,497 |
| Demonym | Palitani |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| STD code | 02848 |
| Vehicle registration | GJ-04(Bhavnagar) |
Palitana is a city in the Bhavnagar district of the Indian state of Gujarat. It is one of the most significant pilgrimage destinations for followers of Jainism, renowned for the Shatrunjaya hill temples, a sprawling complex of over 900 marble temples considered among the holiest in Jainism. In 2014, Palitana became the first city in the world to be officially declared vegetarian, prohibiting the sale of meat, fish, and eggs, in alignment with its strong Jain ethical values. Located approximately 50 kilometres southwest of Bhavnagar, the city was historically a princely state during British rule.