About Hastinapur

Country: India | State: Uttar Pradesh

Ideal Trip Duration: 1-2 Days

Nearest City to Hastinapur: Delhi City (129 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Hastinapur: October to March

Peak Season: November to February

At a distance of 41 km from Meerut, 56 km from Muzzafarnagar, 99 km from Ghaziabad, 105 km from Bulandshahr, 117 km from Saharanpur, 129 km from New Delhi, 132 km from Haridwar, 163 km from Dehradun, 221 km from Bareilly, 258 km from Mathura, 290 km from Agra, 447 km from Lucknow, and 523 km from Kanpur, Hastinapur is a historical city in the Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the popular places to visit in India, and among the must-include places in Uttar Pradesh tour packages.

Situated on the right bank of the holy Ganges near Meerut, Hastinapur is an ancient town that was the center of the glorious tales of the great Hindu epic Mahabharata. In Sanskrit, Hastinapura translates to 'the City of Elephants'. It was the legendary capital of Kauravas. Legend has it that the Great War of Mahabharata was fought between the Pandavas and Kauravas here. Many geographical, natural, scriptural, and physical proofs have been found to validate this belief that the Mahabharata war was fought here. After defeating Kauravas at the war, Pandavas ruled the city for over 36 years until the beginning of Kaliyug. The Archaeological Survey of India has been carrying out excavations in many parts of this town and has unearthed several temples and other ancient monuments.

Hastinapur is viewed as one of the holiest places by both Hindus and Jains alike. This ancient town is also the birthplace of three Jain Teerthankara, and it has become an important center of pilgrimage for the Jains. Also being the birthplace of Panch Pyare Bhai Dharam Singh, one of the five disciples of Guru Govind Singh Ji, Hastinapur is also a center for Sikh devotees, and the Gurdwara at Saifpur Karamchandpur is a center of great devotion and faith for Sikh religion. One can find many famous and historical places around and within the city to explore and gain a lot of information about the history of our country as part of Hastinapur tour packages.

Being an important part of the epic, every nook and corner of the city is adorned with ancient Hindu & Jain temples constructed by the great kings who ruled the city. Pandeshwar Temple, Karna Temple, Jambudweep Jain Temple, Shwetambar Jain Temple, Prachin Digambar Jain Temple, Ashtapad Jain Temple, Shri Kailash Parvat Jain Temple, and Bhai Dharam Singh Gurdwara are some of the major places to visit in Hastinapur. Apart from sacred and historical places, Hastinapur is also known for Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary located nearby which is full of Flora and Fauna. It is one of the best heritage sites near Delhi.

About 141 km from Hastinapur, Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi is the nearest airport which has well-connected flights from all the major cities of India and countries like Sri Lanka, Dubai, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, USA & Europe. About 41 km away from Hastinapur, Meerut City Railway Station is the nearest railway station that has well-connected trains from Allahabad, Chhattisgarh, Udhampur, Lucknow, Saharanpur, Amritsar, Mumbai, Ambala, Dehradun, Jalandhar, Ujjain, Kochuveli, Indore, Chandigarh, Rishikesh, and New Delhi. Hastinapur is well-connected by bus with Meerut, Ghaziabad, Muzaffarnagar, and Delhi. Meerut Bus Station is the nearest major bus stand that is well connected by buses with all the major cities of UP, Delhi, Lucknow, Noida, Haridwar, and Dehradun. From Meerut, one can hire a cab or auto to reach Hastinapur.

Lodging facilities are limited in Hastinapur. The Rest House of the department of forest and guest house of PWD with Jain Dharamshalas offers good lodging and food facilities there. Meerut is the best option to stay in and one can visit Hastinapur as a day trip.

The best time to visit Hastinapur is from October to March when the weather is pleasant and apt to go sightseeing. Summers in Hastinapur is scorching. Better to avoid visiting Hastinapur during monsoons as well as the city receives average to heavy rainfall in this season which might ruin your holiday.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Average
STD Code: 01233
Languages Spoken: Hindi, Urdu, Kari Boli
Major Festivals: Akshaya Tritiya, Das Lakshana, Kartik Mela, Holi, & Durga Puja
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Hastinapur

By Air

Nearest Airport: Delhi City - Indira Gandhi International Airport (141 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Meerut (41 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Hastinapur Bus Station (0 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Hastinapur

Pilgrimage

#1 of 12 Places to Visit in Hastinapur

At a distance of 2 km from Hastinapur Bus station, Shri Digambar Jain Prachin Bada Mandir is a Jain temple complex located in Hastinapur, Uttar Pradesh. Situated on the banks of the River Ganges, it is the oldest Jain temple in Hastinapur, and among the important places to visit as part of Hastinapur tour packages.

Situated on a 40 ft high hillock, Bada Digambar Jain Mandir in Hastinapur is built in 1801 under the aegis of Raja Harsukh Rai, the imperial treasurer of Emperor Shah Alam II. The temple is dedicated to Shri Shantinatha, the 16th Jain Tirthankara. Hastinapur is believed to be the birthplace of 16th, 17th, and 18th Jain Thirthankaras namely, Shantinatha, Kunthunatha, and Aranatha respectively. Also, it is believed that Hastinapur is the place where the first Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha ended his 13-month-long penance after receiving sugarcane juice from King Shreyans.

The temple complex encloses a centrally located .....

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Pilgrimage

#2 of 12 Places to Visit in Hastinapur

At a distance of 2 km from Hastinapur Bus Station, Jambudweep Jain Mandir is a Digambara Jain temple in Hastinapur, Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the most significant Jain places of pilgrimage in Uttar Pradesh, and among the prominent places to visit in Hastinapur.

Jambudweep Jain Mandir in Hastinapur was built under the blessings of Gyanmati Mataji, a renowned Jain Saadhvi. It is believed that the Saadhvi saw the vision of a grand Madhyalok (Middle Universe) along with thirteen islands (Terahdweep), while she was meditating below the sacred idol of Bhagwan Bahubali in the Vindhya Mountain in 1965. Discovering later that what she had seen perfectly matched the cosmographical details described in Jain scriptures, she decided to create a pilgrimage site to create a model of Jambudvipa. The foundation stone of the temple was laid in 1974 and was completed in 1985. Jambudweep Trilok Sodh Sansthan' has been .....

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Pilgrimage

#3 of 12 Places to Visit in Hastinapur

At a distance of 2 km from Hastinapur Bus Station, Ashtapad Teerth is a Shwetambar Jain temple situated in Hastinapur, Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the most significant Jain pilgrimage sites near Meerut, and among the must-visit places during your Hastinapur tour.

The Ashtapad Teerth was founded by the Shri Hastinapur Jain Shwetambar Tirth Trust in the year 1996. This temple is dedicated to Bhagwan Shri Adinath Ji. Ashtapad Teerth is considered to be the tallest brick structure in the Meerut district. Maha pratishtha (re-establishment) took place in 2009 by Gachhadipati Acharya Nityanand Surishwerji. According to a popular belief, Ashtapad exists in the high mountain range of the Himalayas, some 160 miles ahead of Badrinath. It is believed that it was here that the first Tirthankara, Bhagwan Rishabhdev attained his salvation. Maharaja Bharat Chakravarti, his son built a palace in Ashtapad Mountains and decorated it with diamonds. .....

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Pilgrimage

#4 of 12 Places to Visit in Hastinapur

At a distance of 2 km from Hastinapur Bus Station, Kailash Parvat is a Jain temple situated in Hastinapur, Uttar Pradesh. Located in the Bada Digambar Jain Temple Complex, it is one of the most significant Hastinapur places to visit.

Kailash Parvat in Hastinapur shares its name with the renowned snow-clad mountain in the Himalayas. It is believed by the Jain devotees that the first Tirthankar of the Jain religion, Bhagwan Rishabhdev attained salvation on the snow-clad mountain of the Himalayas. Since common devotees can't reach the actual Kailash Parvat, the Jain community decided to build its replica in Hastinapur, the birthplace of Bhagwan Rishabhdev, so that the pilgrims have an easily accessible alternative.

The Kailash Parvat in Hastinapur is an extension of the oldest Jain Temple known as Bada Jain Mandir. It is made up of a total of three stages. The middle-top 131 feet high temple houses .....

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Pilgrimage

#5 of 12 Places to Visit in Hastinapur

At a distance of 4 km from Hastinapur Bus Station, Bhai Dharam Singh Gurudwara is a sacred place located in Hastinapur, Uttar Pradesh. Situated at Saifpur village, it is regarded as one of the holiest pilgrim centers for the Sikh community in India, and among the top places to visit as part of Hastinapur packages.

Bhai Dharam Singh Gurudwara is dedicated to Bhai Dharam Singh, one of the five Sikhs of Panj Piare who created the first batch of Khalsa and received the Khanda di Pahul or the rites of the two-edged sword from Guru Gobind Singh. According to legend, it is believed that Bhai Dharam Singh had been a farmer when he answered a request of Guru Gobind Rai, which made him become one of the Panj Piare (the Five Beloved), the first five Sikhs to be initiated into the Khalsa. He died at Gurudwara Nanded Sahib in 1708 at the age of 42.

Bhai Dharam Singh Gurudwara is known for its beautiful architecture, spacious interiors, .....

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Heritage

#6 of 12 Places to Visit in Hastinapur

At a distance of 2.5 km from Hastinapur Bus Station, Pandeshwar Temple is an ancient shrine located in Hastinapur, Uttar Pradesh. Situated in the ruins of the old city of Hastinapur, it is one of the best tourist places in Hastinapur.

Pandeshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to legend, Yudhishthira had established the shivalinga at the Pandeshwar Mahadev temple before the war of Mahabharata and prayed to Shiva for a blessing to win the war. Yudhishthira is known to be the very personification of virtue, dharma, and kshama (forgiveness) performed tapa in such an exemplary manner that Lord Shiva became pleased and blessed him with success. It is that same belief that draws great crowds to have darshan of Lord Shiva here.

This temple is also believed to be the place where the Kauravas and Pandavas received an education. The Shiva Linga is placed right in the middle of the temple .....

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Wildlife

#7 of 12 Places to Visit in Hastinapur

At a distance of 4 km from Hastinapur Bus Station, Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in the Gangetic plains of Uttar Pradesh. Lies on the Northern tip of the River Ganga, it is one of the must-visit tourist destinations in Hastinapur.

Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1986 and covers 2,073 km2 across Meerut, Muzzafarnagar, Ghaziabad, Bijnor, Meerut, and Amroha districts. The sanctuary is named for the ancient city of Hastinapur, which lies on the west bank of the Boodhi Ganga. Also called Hastinapur National Park, the area has been declared a sanctuary to protect and conserve the ecology and biodiversity of the Ganga basin. The sanctuary has a variety of landforms and is a mixture of different habitats such as wetland, marshes, dry sand beds, and gently sloping ravines. The vegetation can be classified into tall wet grasslands, dry short grasslands, scrubs, and plantations.

The grassland of the sanctuary holds a variety of flora, avifauna, and .....

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Heritage | Pilgrimage

#8 of 12 Places to Visit in Hastinapur

At a distance of 2.5 km from Hastinapur Bus Station, Karan Temple is an ancient shrine located in Hastinapur, Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the best places to visit as part of Hastinapur holiday packages.

The Karan Temple is situated near Pandeshwar Temple on the bank of an old ravine of the Ganga. The temple dates back to about 4000 BC. The shivling inside the Karan Temple is said to have been established by Karna who is universally known to be the most generous person that ever lived. Karan was one of the greatest heroes of Mahabharata, who fought on the side of Kauravas. Locals say that Daanveer Karna would bathe in the Ganga that flowed next to the temple and then offer prayers to Lord Shiva.

Visitors can visit the temple to worship Lord Shiva. The ghat of Budhi Ganga is famous among the devotees. The local people worship daily in this temple as it has a historic influence on it. The festivals of Navratri, Shivratri, .....

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Heritage | City

#9 of 12 Places to Visit in Hastinapur

At a distance of 1,474 km from Mumbai, 1,462 km from Kolkata, 1,543 km from Hyderabad, 2,171 km from Chennai, 2,131 km from Bangalore, Delhi, also known as Dilli, is officially the National Capital Territory (NCT). New Delhi, the national capital of India, is one of the nine districts of the NCT of Delhi.

Located in northern part of India, Delhi is situated on the banks of River Yamuna at an elevation of 293 meters. It is bound by the states of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Delhi is India's second most populous city after Mumbai. With an area of 47.2 sq. km, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. The IT sector, handloom, fashion, textile and electronic industry contribute a lot to Delhi's economy.

Historically, the city was known as Indraprastha or Hastinapura, the renowned capital of the legendary Pandavas, which has overwhelming history and rich .....

Distance (From Hastinapur): 129 Kms
Trip Duration (From Hastinapur - Including Travel): Full Day
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Miscellaneous

#10 of 12 Places to Visit in Hastinapur

At a distance of 65 km from Noida, 85 km from Delhi, 110 km from Gurgaon, 68 km from Meerut, and 414 km from Lucknow, Bulandshahr is a town and headquarters of Bulandshahr district in Uttar Pradesh. It is part of the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR).

According to legend, this region is close to the capital of the Pandavas - Indraprastha and Hastinapur. After the decline of Hastinapur, Ahar, which is situated in the north-east part of Bulandshahr District, became an important place for the Pandavas. A Tomar king named Ahibaran, laid the foundation of a fort called Barn here and established his capital. The city was earlier called Barn city and since it was perched on a highland, it also came to be known as the High City. Subsequently, the city got the name Bulandshahr, which in Persian means High City.

The Barn kingdom was a great center for trade, commerce and arts, which existed for hundreds of years. In 1192 AD when Muhammad Ghauri conquered parts of India, his general .....

Distance (From Hastinapur): 105 Kms
Trip Duration (From Hastinapur - Including Travel): Full Day
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