Falgun Suthr festival in palithana, gujarat
Falgun Sud Teras (Fagun Sud Teras) is a famous Jain festival observed at Palitana, Gujarat. It is popularly called the “6 Gaon Jatra” or Chh Gaon Jatra and centers on the Shatrunjay Mahatirth in Palitana.
- When: Falgun (Phalguna) Sud Teras, i.e., the 13th day of the bright half of Falgun, which falls in Feb–Mar each year. In Palitana this day marks a major pilgrimage with large crowds.
- Significance: Devotees undertake a yatra around the Shatrunjay hill, visiting six nearby villages in a ritual devotional circuit, culminating in darshan at the derasar complex. The day is associated with the belief that many souls find moksha or spiritual upliftment through earnest worship, fasting, and penance as part of the palitana pilgrimage tradition.
- Observance: Pilgrims often travel on foot through the six villages, observe bhakti and pratikraman-like practices, and perform darshan at key tirths on the circuit. The event is a deep expression of Jain ahimsa, devotion to Tirthankar Adinath (Rishabhdev) and the sanctity of Shatrunjay Mahatirth.