Palitana is a major Śvetāmbara Jain pilgrimage site, and the Svetambara presence there has helped shape the town’s religious and social character. Because Svetāmbara Jains form the large majority, the city’s Jain ethics and practices—especially around non-violence, vegetarianism, and temple-centric life—have been very influential in local policy and daily life. A clear example is Palitana’s 2014 move to become officially vegetarian, prohibiting the sale and slaughter of meat in the city, which reflected the community’s strong Jain values and activism. ( bhavnagar.nic.in)

Key points:

• The Palitana temple complex on Shatrunjaya Hill is central to Śvetāmbara Jain worship, and the Svetambara tradition there has organized and sustained the temple network for centuries. This has reinforced the town’s reputation as a sacred Jain hub. ( bhavnagar.nic.in)
• In recent years, Svetambara leadership and lay groups played a pivotal role in social movements in Palitana, including protests and campaigns that led to the meat ban and the city’s vegetarian status. ( outlookindia.com)

You can read more about Palitana’s Jain temple complex and its Śvetāmbara significance here