Religious Practices
It is inferred that the temples are built in clusters known as tunks, as Jains undertake pilgrimage mostly on foot and hence they would like to reduce the distance of travel on foot to the minimum. As a religious practice they cover their mouth while offering puja to the thirthankaras at the temples so that they don't hurt any insects by swallowing them with an open mouth. Also, for this reason they do not offer open lighted lamps but offer aarti with covered lanterns. The religious practice also involves pilgrimage by fasting throughout the journey to and from the shrines. They also build their temples in white marble to demonstrate purity. Silence and prayers are the order of the day when one is climbing up the hills on pilgrimage. Fasting continues until they gave returned to the auditorium of Anandji Kalyanji Trust at the foothill. Only the elderly and children can take the curd which can be purchased at the top of the hill.
- Renovations
There have been frequent renovations and many of them are dated to the 16th century. New temples continue to be built here. Renovations occurred at least 16 times during the avasarpinikala (the descending half of the wheel of time):
| Renovation | Renovator | Times | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Chakravarti Bharat | Adinath | son of Adinath |
| 2nd | King Dandavirya | interim period between Adinath and Ajitnath | – |
| 3rd | Ishaneshvar | Indra of Upper World | |
| 4th | Mahendra | Indra of fourth upper world (dev-lok) | |
| 5th | Brahmendra | Indra of fifth upper world (dev-lok) | |
| 6th | Chamarendra | Indra of Bhavanapatis | |
| 7th | Sagar Chakravarti | Ajitnath | second Chakravarti |
| 8th | Vyantarendra | Abhinandannath | – |
| 9th | King Chandrayasha | Chandraprabha | – |
| 10th | Chakrayuddha | Shantinath | son of Shantinath |
| 11th | Ram and Lakshaman | Munisuvrata | Ramayana Kings |
| 12th | 5 Pandava | Neminatha | Mahabharta Kings |
| 13th | Javed Shah of Mahuva | Vikram Samvat 108 | He spent a million gold coins. |
| 14th | advisor Bahud | Vikram Samvat 1213 | Times of Kumarpal |
| 15th | Samara Shah Oswal | Vikram Samvat 1371 | spent 2770000 |
| 16th | Karama Shah of Chitod | Vikram Samvat 1587 | on 6th day of the dark half of Vaisakh |
It is believed that Vimalvahan shall do the 17th renovation during the period of Duppasahsuri in future.
Read more about this topic: Palitana Temples
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