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Bharat Chakravarti
Chakravarti King Bharat (son of Shri Rishabhadev) had built a palace of crystal and installed 24 idols of Shri Tirthankars carved out of gemstones at this place as a memorial to commemorate the nirvana of Bhagawan Shri Rishabhadev. The name "Ashtapad" is derived from the fact that there are eight (Ashta) steps (Pad) leading to the palace. Bharat was the eldest son of Rishabhadev. After his father renounced the throne, Bharat became the King. When King Bharat heard about Rishabhadev Bhagawan's nirvana, he went to Ashtapad to pay homage. There, Bharat not only constructed a gemstone-studded palace, but also installed the idols of the 24 Tirthankaras as Rishabhadev had described in his sermon.