Palitana Footware

hfot2

When climbing Shatrunjaya Hill at Palitana, is it acceptable to wear shoes, so long as they contain no leather?

If shoes are not allowed, are socks OK?

I’m worried because I have feet given to plantar fasciitis, and it’s best to protect them with the support of shoes or at least the cushioning of thick socks. I got up Sravanabelagola all right in padded socks, but Shatrunjaya looks to be several orders of magnitude more difficult.

fsg

Socks are OK. I was a little worried as there was some leather on my camera bag, but that was fine.

Start as early in the morning as possible, it is not an onerous climb, just a long one.

It is well worth the effort as the whole complex is magical.

I took one look at the Girnar route, and decided to stay at the bottom!!!!!!!

It is[or was] only in the temple compound there was a no shoe policy, as is universal in all temples

hfot2

So, are shoes OK or not OK for the climb up Shatrunjaya Hill at Palitana to the temples?

Thanks for getting back to us, but we are still unsure about what you are saying.

shahronakm

Generally Jains prefer to climb without any footwear. But now a days wearing footwear is common while climbing. You may wear canvas shoes or slippers (which are available in the Palitana market). But as said earlier footwear not allowed inside temple complex but you can wear socks if you wish.

You are right Palitana will be tougher than Sravanabelogala. But easy if you start early morning to avoid heat. Some of the Jains even do 2 - 3 Jatras a day for 1.1/2 month continous. After coming down do taste the Palitana Bhel / Limbu Sherbet (Lime Juice) / Sugarcane Juice.

Ronak.

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edwardseco

The inserts could be worn inside socks. A friend wears them inside tennis shoes, not optimal but better than nothing for PF..

Brisso

I don't recall any concerns - I was wearing leather hiking boots.

I did leave them at the entrance if I recall correctly. You could of course be carried up by bearers - 400-500 rupees (?), otherwise put aside 2-3 hours. Coming down surprisingly is also rough on the legs.

hfot2

That's exactly what we have done in the past - we call them our "temple socks."

I have use oversized cushioned hiking socks, a hgh end orthotic footbed [made by SUPERfeet - sells for about USD30] and a 3/4 length heel and arch cushion. distaff half just uses a regular Merrell footbed in her socks.

T'ain't perfect but it got us up Sravanabelagola and through any number of gigantic temples. But if we can wear leatherfree shoes for the 2 hour climb up the hill it would be a very good thing for our old feet.

hfot2

The entrance to what? You mean you wore leather on the climb???

It's not at all surprising that down is as tough as up - actually we find it rougher.

Brisso

exactly - wore boots up, but removed them at the temple complex.

fsg

If you had done a quick Google it will tell you that Sravanabelagola is 614 steps to the top.

Palitana varies between 3500-3900, there is absolutely no comaprison between the two places

At Sravanabelagola there are the chains to help, whereas Palitana is a long slog, not all steps, but some not too steep inclines.

I second brisso that coming down is worse than going up, and there are no bathtubs to relax in, nor even a cold beer

hfot2

I did do a Google search [and also checked Footprints, Lonely Planet, DK Eyewitness...] which is why I said:

I agree, a beer would be great.

Thanks for the advice.

Now what about toilets?

fsg

To my mind Sravenagola is much steeper than Palitana, sorry I dont have a contour ref to show. It is much more of a long climb, about 2 hours, you can rest and watch the locals almost running up with the goods to sell on their stalls , and of course the dooly men with ailing occupants,[ or rich].

Girnar near Junagadh looked to like a 1 in 3..... well almost.

You could always visit Diu first, get the beer.
Im sure that was your plan.

As to toilets my mother had a fixation about public toilets so from a young age, I was trained to avoid, so did not notice them at all, but being very familiar with the urinary habits of S Indian men who cant walk 1 km without relieving themselves, I guess they will be there, perhaps near the shoe stall at the entrance.

There are scrubby bushes, but being a holy hill I would not dare.

It totally turns me off the see Western youngsters imitating S I men urinating in the gutter.


I remember starting as early as possible to arrive at the complex gate for opening time which I think was 8am, photography after that is well nigh useless, unless you use the light creatively. I was a little more than annoyed when I got the permit in the town to be given a later time.

The officials come up from the town every day as no one stays there overnight.

Brisso

Hard to get a beer in Gujurat - there is an autorickshaw blackmarket though - "Whiskey? 800 rupees!"