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Hansmukh Seth

Associate Curator at The City Palace Museum, Udaipur

Hastinapur

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Indian

During this lockdown period, people are enjoying the old episodes of epic tales of Ramayana and Mahabharata on Doordarshan. These serials brought alive my memorable visit to the historic city of Hastinapur. (Image 1).

It is in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh in North India, one of the most sacred place pilgrim for Jains. # Teerthankaras out of 24 or gods, names Shantinath, Arnath and Kunthunath were born here. They left society and became monks here and also achieved the Supreme Knowledge called Kevalya Gyan and became Omniscience. It is most famous for 16th Teerthanaka Shantinath. (Image 2).

We came here at night and stayed in a Jain guest house. Next morning after the worship, we went to visit the other temples around. When we reached here and realized that these were not only temple but also there were many places, which were built as Museums or galleries to explain the ideology of Jainism and also about the life of Teerthankars.(Image 3:Teen Lok Rachana)

Jain Universe is also designed here with these huge architecture architectures, called Jambu Dweep. This Tower is known as Sumeru Parvat, A mountain, where Indra, the King of Gods celebrates, with other gods, the Birth of Teerthankara.(Image 4 & 5)

Beautiful views of the entire place, which is well maintained. A week is also not enough to see the all places.(Image 6 & 7)

Apart from the temple there are four places nearby, called ‘Nishiya ji’, according to the jains, these are the actual places, where Teerthankaras came for the Meditation and others tasks. This beautiful ancient doorway is displayed here. (Image 8)

Archaeological mound of Hastinapur known as Ulta Khera Teela. This site was excavated by B.B. Lal in 1950-52. Before this excavation, there was a gap between decline of Harappans and Early Historic phase, known as Dark Age. The Painted Grey ware culture, discovered here, filled this gap.(image 7)

There are some old Hindu temples, connected to Mahabharata, but unfortunately couldn’t get chance to visit. Hope you had enjoyed the Trip

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