Shri Hastinapur Tirth
Mulnayak
Nearly 90 cm. high, Golden colored idol of Bhagawan Shantinath in the Padmasana posture (A Svetambar Temple).
Tirth
It is in the town of Hastinapur.
Historicity
Of modern and ancient tirth of today, this is the chief great tirth. The ancient history of this place belongs to the times of Bhagawan Adishvar. Gajpur, Nagpur, Kunjarpur, Shantinagar, Brahmasthal, Asandvat etc. are mentioned as ancient names of this place. Shreyansakumar, the younger brother of Somaysh broke the fast (celebrated Parna) of Bhagawan Adinath here. There is a mention that in memory of the Parna, Shreyasakumar built a stupa and installed the foot - idols of Bhagawan Adinath. All the four Kalyanakas of Bhagawan Shantinath, Kunthunath, Arnath subsequent to Bhagawan Adinath were celebrated here. There are mentions that stupas were built here. All these temples and staupas are not there today, But many ancient remains are found from the subterranean ground and they, remained of their antiquity. On the tenth day of the bright half of the mouth of Magasar in the year 2021 of the Vikram era, the last renovation of this Svetambar temple was accomplished and the installation was celebrated. This was the land of construction of samavasaran of Bhagawan Mallinath. This was the capital of the Kauravas and the Pandvas in the times of the Mahabharat. This was the birthplace of six of the twelve Chakravartis beginning with Bharat - Chakravarty. This is also the birth place of Parashuram of the times of the Ramayana words fail to describe the grandeur of this place which is made holy by the birth, the Kalyanakas and touch of feet of great men. According to the Digambar sect, the great tradition of Rakshahandhan or Shravani Poonam started here. Thus according to the Jain traditions and history, many Tirthankaras, Chakravaratis, Great Sadhus, the Omniscient souls, ascetics, Shravakas and Shravikas are associated with to this ancient land. Jain Agams, life stories, story sutra scriptures and other Jain works condition reference and indications of Hastinapur. On the fifteenth day of the bright half of the mouth of Kartak and on the third day of the bright half of the month of Vaishakh, Splendid fair is held here every year. The Parna ceremony of Varsitapa has a special significance here. People come here from far, far away to celebrate the Parma ceremony with sugarcane juice.
Other Temples
besides, there is a Digambar temple. Besides there are samasanas at the place of the Kalyanakas of the three Tirthankaras, the small temple of wooden sandals of Paramatma, the small temple of Foot - idols of Bhagawan Adinath which is regarded to be the place of Parma of Bhagawan and where the procession of Svetambars sets out to go round of the third day of the bright half of the moth of Vaishakh. Besides there is a splendid temple of four - mouthed Bhagwan Shantinath.
Works of art and Sculpture
Since this is an ancient place, many ancient idols, coins, inscriptions, ruins and other remains are found here from the hollow of the ground. The ancient idols in these temples are really spectacular. The archaeological department has special attractions towards this ancient place. Since the times of the Mahabharata war, this place is controversial and very important. The remains found here determine its antrqurity. At present, the archaeological department of the Govt. of India, is making research here. The plan of building a new city of Hastinapur has made this place, a center of attraction.
Guidelines
The nearest railway station of Merath is at a distance of nearly 37 kilometers and Delhi is at a distance of nearly 120 kilometers. Bus service and private vehicles are available. There are very good Boarding and lodging provisions. Besides, there are a Balashram, a students’ house, a Pathshala, a Janabhandar, an Upashraya, an Ayambilshala, and a Dadawadi.
Trust
Shri Hastinapur Jain Svetambar Tirth Samiti, Hastinapur (Merath) State : Uttar Pradesh : 250404, India. Phone: 01233-280140