Built in the Edwardian style, the design and execution of this palace was carried out by an Indian contractor in the 1930s. The Gohil kins of Palitana, a sub-branch of the Bhavnagar Gohils, drew a large part of their revenue by levying taxes on Jain pilgrims visiting the ancient hill temples of Palitana.
Vijay Vilas Palace – Palitana, Across Mandvi Beach, Bhavnagar:
Vijay Vilas Palace is located on the banks of Rukmavati river, 8 kms away from Mandvi. This Palace is turned to a remarkable Heritage Hotel build by Yuvraj Vijay Sinhji of Palitana. Build in 1920 A.D. by architects and craftsmen from Jaipur, it has elements of Rajput architecture with central high dome on the pillars, colored window panes, carved stone ‘jalis’, domed bastions at the corners, extended porch and other exquisite stone carved marvels. It has Bengal domes on the sides. The Palace stands unique with grandeur with its own private beach which offer air conditioned tented accommodation. A popular tourist destination, the Vijay Vilas Palace is filmed in Bollywood.
About Palitana
Palitana is a religious Jain city, Bhavnagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is located 50 km South-West of Bhavnagar city and is a major pilgrimage centre for Jains. Palitana is the place where millions and millions of Jain sadhu and muni got salvation.
Jain Temples
The Palitana temples are considered the most sacred pilgrimage place (tirtha) by the Jain community. There are more than 1300 temples located on the Shatrunjaya hills, exquisitely carved in marble. The main temple on top of the hill, is dedicated to 1st tirthankar lord Adinath (Rishabdeva). On the top the Shatrunjai Hill is a cluster of Jain temples, built by generations of Jains over a period of 900 years, from the 11th century onwards. The temples are managed by the Anandji Kalyanji Trust of the Kasturbai Lalbhai group. From the foot of the hill to the top there are 3,800 and odd stone steps cut to facilitate climbing
