Hastinapur
| Hastinapur | |||
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| Coordinates | 29°10′N 78°01′E / 29.17°N 78.02°ECoordinates: 29°10′N 78°01′E / 29.17°N 78.02°E | ||
| Country | India | ||
| State | Uttar Pradesh | ||
| District(s) | Meerut | ||
| Population | 21,248 (2001[update]) | ||
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) | ||
| Area |
• 202 metres (663 ft) |
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Hastinapur (Hindi: हस्तिनापुर, Sanskrit:हस्तिनापुरम् Hastināpuram) is a town and a nagar panchayat in Meerut district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
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[edit] History
Hastinapur was the capital of the Kuru dynasty of kings. All incidents in the epic Mahabharata have taken place in this city of Hastinapura. The first reference to Hastinapur in Hindu history comes as the capital of Emperor Bharata.
Hastinapur was attacked by Mughal ruler Babur when invading Hindustan, and cannons were bombarded on temples there. During Mughal times areas Hastinapur was ruled by the Gujjar Raja Nain Singh Nagar. He built many temples in and around Hastinapur.
[edit] Present day location
In the present day Hastinapur is a town in the Doab region of Uttar Pradesh, called Hastinapur, around 37 km from Meerut and 110 km from Delhi. It is situated at 29 degree 09'31.50 degree north & 77 degree 59'19.46" east. Hastinapur is 106 km north-east of Delhi on Delhi-Meerut-Pauri (Garhwal) national highway no 119. The road to Hastinapur is very green with and sugarcane farms both sides. It is a small township reestablished by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru on February 6, 1949. it has a population of approximately 33,000 people.
[edit] 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 Shastras. Grandson of the emperor Asoka, king Samprati has built many temples here during his empire. The ancient temple & the stoops are not present today. Hastinapur city was located on the earlier course of the of holy river Ganges.
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 Ganges basin areas.
[edit] Geography
Hastinapur is located at 29°10′N 78°01′E / 29.17°N 78.02°E.[1] It has an average elevation of 202 metres (662 feet).
[edit] 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.
[edit] Places of interest
Digambar Jain Bada Mandir, Jambudweep, Kailash Parvat, Old Pandeshwer temple are the main and famous temples in Hastinapur. Historical Gurudwara is present in the nearby village Saifpur.
[edit] Hindu temples
Old Pandeshwer Temple: is 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.
Karan Temple is an old temple of Lord Shiva. It lies on the bank of old river of Ganges. Shivlinga inside it is said to be established by Karna, one of the main characters in the epic of Mahabharata.
[edit] Jain temples
Hastinapur is considered to be one of the most holiest pilgrimage site for Jains in India. It is believed to be birthplace of 3 Jain Tirthankaras. There are many beautiful Jain temples in Hastinapur. Most of them are recently built.
Digamber Jain Bada Mandir: Acharya (teacher) of Kharatargatchh Shri Jinchandrasuriji has described four stoops (pillars) at the time of his visit in VS 1627. Muni Shri Soubhagya Vijayji has visited this place in the VS 18th century and described about three stoops. The Shwetambar temple is renovated recently and the re-establishment (pratishtha) took place on Margshirsh Shukla 10 of VS 2021. Re-establishment (pratishtha) of Digambar Jain 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 architectural 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 the precious work from gold and glass. For the people who come to perform puja here, there are facilities to bathe and get ready. There are excellent lodging faciliy for the pilgrims. Pure vegetarian food is also available for Jain pilgrims. In its huge premise there are lots of other places like Jal-Mandir, Jain library, Gurukul, Vradhashram, Acharya Vidynand Museum, Kailash Parvat, and 4 Nishiyaji also comes under the aegis of Bada Mandir Committee.
Digamber Jain Jambudweep Mandir The marvellous Jain sculpture showing the structure of Jain Geography has been designed here under the guidance of Supreme Jain Sadhvi Param Pujya 105 Ganini Pramukh Aryika Shiromani Shri Gyanmati Mataji. The campus has various Jain Mandir which includes Jambudweep, Lotus Temple, Teen Murti Mandir, Dhyan Kendra
Jambudweep: It is about 24 meter tall structure amidst the group of temples.
Lotus temple: It is a small temple in the courtyard of Jambudweep. It is a House of Worship, popularly known as the Lotus Temple, is a Jain House of Worship and also a prominent attraction in Hastinapur. It was completed in 1989.
Kailash Parvat: Its main building at the centre of the complex is a 131 ft (40 m)-high monument. There are 3 stages and 72 temples in this structue, 24 in each stage, representing the Tirthankaras of past, present, and future. Its height and location on the banks of the ravine of the once flowing Ganges River makes its presence felt from afar, and has ornamental detail spreading over the minutely carved ceilings, doorways, pillars, and panels. Many other new temples in its premises are still under construction.
Ashtapad: It is the tallest (151 ft (46 m))brick structure in district Meerut. Maha pratishtha (re-establishment) took place on 2 December 2009 under nishra of Gachhadipati Acharya Nityanand Surishwerji. It has stone carvings and marble cutting on the topmost temple.
Nishiaji: These are the Ashrams where footprints of Jain Tirthankaras are inscribed on marbel stones.
Cultural programs are held time to time in Hastinapur like Akshay Tritiya Parv, Dus-Lakshan pooja, Kartik Purnima, and Holi fair. Maa Durga Pooja and some other programs are organised by NGOs and the tourism department time-to-time. Maha-yagya is held in March every year.
[edit] Bhai Dharam Singh Gurudwara
This is a beautiful and huge Gurudwara located in a village: Saifpur, some 2.5 km (1.6 mi) away from Hastinapur. The Panj Piare (Punjabi: ਪੰਜ ਪਿਆਰੇ), name given to the five Sikhs, Bhai Daya Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, Bhai Mohkam Singh and Bhai Sahib Singh, who were so designated by Guru Gobind Singh at the historic divan at Anandpur Sahib on 30 March 1699 and who formed the nucleus of the Khalsa as the first batch to receive at his hands khanda di Pahul, i.e. rites of the two-edged sword. .
[edit] References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hastinapur |
- ^ 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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