Palitana is a popular destination and consists of pilgrimage center for the people following the Jainism. There lies Adishwara temple which lies atop of the hill. It is a popular temple situated at the Shatrujaya summit. In the close proximity of this popular temple lies the shrine of Angar Pir. The shrine is quite significant for the people belonging to Muslim community. There are people from different faith and religions who also gather here to revere this shrine and feel glad while paying a visit to this holy shrine. Therefore, Angar Pir Shrine, of Palitana is regarded as a popular destination preferred by a large number of tourists in Palitana.

History and Importance

The town of Palitana had been an imperial Thana at the times of Mughal empire, which had grown up into the capital of Palitana State belonging to the princely Kathiawad. Several Muslims got settled in this region. The shrine of Palitana Angar Pir is an ancient monument which had been highly respected by the locals there. It dates back to ages. People have a belief that all the wishes are granted if asked at this complex of Angar Pir Shrine in Palitana.

Angar Pir was a Sufi saint who used to live here in the 14th century when this region was invaded by Allauddin Khilji, who had taken away the riches of the Shatrunjaya temple. Angar Pir believed in the sacredness of temples however he followed the different religion had turned up to their protection. It was with the help of his prayers, power and devotion that he hurled fire on the armies invading there and therefore protected the temples from demolition.

He was a man who believed in the sanctity of holy sites of others. The durgah of Angar Pir can be approached before the complex of first major temple where the path is said to fork, several people prefer to take the short cut on the left side bypassing the dargah, one should take care of opting the right path for leading the dargah, which is a small shrine having a green flag.

The blessings of Pir are invoked by the women who do not have children and when they pray there at durgah they believe to be blessed with children. There are small cradles offered to the Pir and the shrine remains spotted with these cradles.

Palitana feature over 863 temples built in the 11th and the 12th century and are carved in marbles. It is said all the Jain Tirthankars, excepting Neminath, had attained nirvana here. Some of these temples have a wonderful collection of jewels, which can be seen with special permission.

Indianholiday.com offers information about Angar Pir Shrine in Palitana and detail information about other holy places in Palitana.

How to Get There

The town consists of a great road and rail network connecting it to the different cities of Gujarat, specifically Bhavnagar.

By Road

The town of Bhavnagar lies 56 km distant while Ahmedabad is 215 kmaway from Palitana. There are private and State transport buses which run to Palitana from both of the cities along with a number of different cities in Gujarat and even the city remains connected to Mumbai.

By Rail

Palitana lies on the line of rail branch having trains which can be availed for Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar and other intermediate points.

By Air

The closest airport is at a distance of 56 km in Bhavnagar.