| Hastinapur | |
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| Country |  India |
| State | Uttar Pradesh |
| District(s) | Meerut |
| Population | 21,248 (2001[update]) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area • Elevation |
• 202 m (663 ft) |
Hastinapur (Hindi: हस्तिनापुर) (Hastinapura in Sanskrit) is a town and a nagar panchayat in Meerut district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
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History
Hastinapura was the capital of the kingdom of the Kauravas, belonging to the Kuru dynasty of kings. The throne of this city was the prize over which the Kurukshetra War of the epic Mahabharata was fought. All incidents in the epic Mahabharata have taken place in this city of Hastinapura. The first reference to Hastinapur in Hindu mythology comes as the capital of Emperor Bharata.
Present day location
In the present day Hastinapura is a small town in the Doab region of Uttar Pradesh, called Hastinapur, 37 km from Meerut and 110 km from Delhi. Geographical Details: Situated at 29 degree 09'31.50 degree North & 77 degree 59'19.46" East. Hastinapur is 120 KM North-East of Delhi on Delhi-Meerut-Bijnore Highway. You need to take a turn to Bijnore highway from Meerut from where Hastinapur is approx 39 KM away. Road is good & clean (average speed is 50 KM/hour) & green with trees and agricultural farms both sides. Hastinapur is a small town. Population is approx. 20,000. Regular buses are available from 7 AM to 9 PM from Meerut which is the nearest Railway station (42km). Nearest Airport: New Delhi. (120 km).
Brief history
Historical Details: Hastinapura = Hastin (elephant) + pura (city) = city named after the elephants. History of this place begins from the period of Mahabharata. It is also described as Gajpur, Hastinapur, Nagpur, Asandivat, Brahmasthal, Shanti Nagar and Kunjarpur etc. in Shashtras. Grandson of Samrat Ashok, king Samprati has built many temples here during his empire. The ancient temple & the stoops are not present today since this city has come across through many ups & downs like the Mughal Invasion which destroyed and devastated most of the Hindu religious places. Hastinapur city was located on the earlier course of the of holy river Ganga.
Excavation at Hastinapur was carried out in early 1950s, by B.B. Lal, of the Archaeological Survey of India. Although the main aim of this excavation, mentioned by Lal himself, "was to find out the stratigraphic position of the Painted Grey Ware with reference to other known ceramic industries of the early historical period"1, Lal could not resist attempting a correlation between Mahabharata, the text, and the material remains that he uncovered at Hastinapur. This exercise led him to historicize some of the traditions mentioned in the text, as well as link the appearance of the Painted Grey Ware with the arrival of the "Aryans" in upper Ganga basin areas.
Geography
Hastinapur is located at 29.17° N 78.02° E[1]. It has an average elevation of 202 metres (662 feet).
Demographics
As of 2001[update] India census[2], Hastinapur had a population of 21,248. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Hastinapur has an average literacy rate of 68%, above than the national average of 59.5%. In Hastinapur, 15% of the population is under 10 years of age.
Places to visit
Temples Digambar Jain Bada Mandir and Old Pandeshwer temple are the main and famous Temples in Hastinapur which were renovated by Gurjar king Nain Singh.
HINDU TEMPLES:
Old Pandeshwer Temple: Its an old temple of Lord Shiva, situated in the ruins of old Hastinapur. A statue of "Kali Mata" (Goddess Kali) is situated on hillock of ruins. You can behold scenic beauty of forests and agricultural fields around from here.
Karan Temple: It is an old temple of lord Shiva, lies on the bank of old river of Ganga. Shivlinga inside it said to be established by Karan, one of the main characters in the epic of Mahabharata.
JAIN TEMPLES:
Hastinapur is considered to be one of the most beautiful Jain pilgrimage sites in India. There are more then a dozan Jain temples in Hastinapur. The simplicity in architecture may remind one that Jainism has always encouraged honesty and frugality. The Jains built some beautiful temples here, some people believe that none come close to Jain temples in India in terms of architectural perfection.
Bada Mandir: Acharya (teacher) of Kharatargatchh Shri Jinchandrasuriji has described 4 stoops (pillars) at the time of his visit in VS 1627. Muni Shri Soubhagya Vijayji has visited this place in 18th century of VS and described about three stoops (pillars). The Shwetambar temple is renovated recently & the re-establishment (pratishtha) took place on Margshirsh Shukla 10 of VS 2021. Re-establishment (pratishtha) of Digambar temple took place in VS 1863.
Most of the temples in the area are designed according to ancient Vedic texts known as the Sthapatya-Shastra, it features a blend of architecutral styles from across India. Within the monument, under the central dome, there is an image of Bhagwan. Other temples are constructed from Rajasthani pink sandstone and white marble with steel and concrete. For the people who come to perform puja here, there are facilities to bathe and get ready. No guide is available, but people here are helpful if you approach them. You might see occasional monkeys looking for food outside and inside the temple area.
Jambudweep: Jambudweep is about 24 meter tall structure amidest the group of temples.
Lotus temple: Lotus temple is a beautiful small temple in the courtyard of Jambudweep. It is a House of Worship, popularly known as the Lotus Temple, is a Jain's House of Worship and also a prominent attraction in Hastinapur. It was completed in 1989.
Kailash Parwat: The main building at the centre of the complex is a 141-foot (43 m)-high monument. Its height and location on the banks of the ravine of once flowing river Ganga makes its presence felt from afar, and its ornamental detail spreading over the minutely carved ceilings, doorways, pillars and panels is simply marvellous. Some part of it is under construction.
Ashtapad: Ashtapad is the tallest structure of district Meerut, it is under contruction. It is to be 151 feet tall temmple.
Nishiaji: Nishiaji are basically the ashram of great sages in Jain religion.
Other Cultural Programs: There are other cultural program held time to time in Hastinapur. Maa Durga puja, kartik Purnima fair and other organised by different NGO's and tourism department.
References
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Hastinapur
- ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
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