Historical Geography of Ancient India c9.213

c9.213

*Śatruñjaya* or *Siddhācala*.—It is the holiest among the five hills in Kathiawar according to the Jains. To the east of it stands the city of Palitana, 70 miles north-west of Surat. The Śatruñjaya temple was repaired by Bāghbhaṭṭadeva, an officer of king Kumārapāla in Gujarat. Of all Jaina temples situated on the top of the Śatruñjaya hill, Caumukha temple is the highest. Some inscriptions were found in the Jaina temples situated on the Śatruñjaya hill (*E.I.*, II, 34ff.). Śatruñjaya, also known as Siddhakṣetra, was visited by a large number of accomplished sages, such as Ṛṣabhasena. Many saints and kings attained the bliss of perfection. Here the five Pāṇḍavas with Kuntī also attained perfection. This sacred place of the Jains is adorned with five summits (kūṭas). The cave lying to north of Śrimad-Ṛṣabha, set up by the Pāṇḍavas, still exists. Close to the Ajita-caitya lies the Anupama lake. Near Marudevī stands the magnificent caitya of Śānti. King Meghaghoṣa built two temples here. Śatruñjaya was under his rule and that of his father, Dharmadatta. For further details vide Law, *Some Jaina Canonical Sūtras*, pp. 179-180.