Palitana, Guarat, India

The moon is high, as darkness still covers the sky in the early hours of the morning.  Silence fills the hillside as hundreds of bodies move in rows toward the top.  The Sadhvis (nun’s) white coverings glow off the reflection of the moon.  The 3800 stone steps assist us on the 2.5-mile hike to the top, but are cold under the bare foot.  With no light yet, I make my way toward the top like the rest going unnoticed as someone different, a tourist perhaps – in their heads.  About fifteen minutes into the hike, sounds of drums break the silence as the first procession of the day has begun.  I continue my efforts to toward the top.

Palitana.  It is considered to be one of the holiest sites for Janas and every devout Jain makes it a life mission to complete this pilgrimage at least once…