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1JAIN CULTURAL CENTRES IN UTTAR PRADESH
during calamity. There was also a temple in the base ground of the hill (Taleti) which was perished on account of falling of slabs on breakdown of the hill in the year 2457 post Nirvana of Lord Mahavir. However its images could be saved. River Yamuna is flowing beneath this hillock.
KOSHAMBI
Koshambi city is located on the upper bank of river Yamuna and is 60 km away from Allahabad on South west direction. According to a reference made in seventh century B.C. there were 16 population blocks (Region) in ancient (India) Bharat.
According to a reference made in Seventh century B.C., there were 16 population blocks (Region) in ancient (India) Bharat / Among them Capital city of Vatsa Region (State) was Koshambi. In this very city the conception & Birth event (holy spiritual celebration) i.e. "Kalyanak" of 6th Tirthankar 'Padmaprabha' of Jain Tradition took place. Therefore, this city is famous in the form of well known Jain Tirth. According to historical evidences (witnesses), one Nemichandra of Chandravanshi linage made, this city of Koshambi as capital of his Kingdom i.e. Vatsa. 22 successive kings ruled over this Kingdom. All these kings were observer of Jain Tradition and as such contributed in propagating Jainism around. By Archeological Department of Government, an excavation work was undertaken and here, thousands of Artistic images and other related material were found. These are safely preserved in a Museum of Prayag. According to historical evidence, even prior to 2500 years, Koshambi city was the capital of King Shatanik and it was situated surrounded by a fort having circumference of 4 miles i.e. 6.7 kms. In Koshambi, very ancient relics in the form of footsteps of Jain traditions were found. These are being worshipped as footsteps of Lord Padmaprabha, 6th Tirthankar of Jain tradition.
Besides these two cities, in this area three more cities viz. 'Indrapuri, Chandrapuri and Prayag are popular as Jain cities. Here, there too many Jain images (idols) and temples and other Architectural and Antiquities have been found.
HASTINAPUR
After Ayodhya, one more famous city of Uttar Pradesh is Hastinapur. The location of Hastinapur is believed to be at a distance of 30 kms from Meerut, in the North East direction. It is also said that this ancient city was at the bank of river Ganges. Just because of abundance of Elephants, the other names of this city were "Hastipur", 'Nagpur' and 'Gajapur' also. The Hastinapur happens to be abbreviated name of these cities. The Archeologists have discovered population at this place as early as upto 100 years B.C. (Tenth century B.C. & before). According to Jain Tradition, First holy alms in the form of edible Sugarcane Juice was offered / performed by king Shreyans, the Grandson of 1st Tirthankar Lord Rishabhdev. Therefore, it is familiar as "Daan Tirth" in Jain Tradition. It has been given due importance to this place as such. The day of this ceremony was known as "Akshaya Trutiya" and it is observed as one of the Jain Parva / Festival. This was commenced from this place only as a historical event. According to Jain belief, at the very place Monk Vishnukumar had protected Akampanacharya Saint and his 700 disciples (Monks) from the astrocities of wicked ministers viz. Prahlad, Bali, Namuchi, Brihaspati, etc. Hence the festival of Rakshabandhan was commenced from here and spread elsewhere in due
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