Pālitāna (India)

Palitana is a holy place off the beaten track, on the road between Ahmedabad and Diu. A long day will be long enough to visit it, the hill with 900 temples is the main attraction. A site relatively unknown among Westerners, it will seem like you have escaped from the hoards of tourists... in return the inhabitants are not used to accommodating them, so don't be frightened by the amenities, it's authentic!

Be aware that food and leather (yes, your shoes can be leather) are prohibited at the top of the hill, so check your bags before going up. However, there are lockers available at the top. No photographs either in the temples.

Climbing the steps is real workout, but the most fragile and portly can ask a porter to carry them to the top! The view is absolutely magnificent, be sure to climb on the roof for a better view. Between visiting the 900 temples interlocking one another, go to a ceremony and don't forget that the second hill which has the only mosque in the area.

We had the chance to meet a monk... He goes to Palitana at least once every six months with his two grandsons, perhaps you might bump into him?... He offered us a quick tour of the area, with a simultaneous English translation by one of the boys, a good tour of the temples, a lot of laughter, great lovingkindness and to conclude our adventure, a vegetarian meal – Palitana is the main vegetarian city in the world – in company of other pilgrims, a wonderful encounter!