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Jlastinapur is considered to be the most ancient capital city of India. This city has been the venue of all the politics related to the Mahabharat. In Hastinapur wars between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, virtue and vice, truth and falsehood had been fought. The soil of Hastinapur gave birth to a great soul like Bhishm Pitamah who conveyed the messages of politics and theology that lasted through the ages. The policies of Vidur were also framed on the soil of Hastinapur. Really. Hastinapur has been that part of India's history on whose surface the wheel of time has witnessed several ups and downs with selfimpartiality
The history of Hastinapur has been more ancient than even the aforesaid referred time. Hastinapur has had historical relation with Jainism's first Tirthankar Lord Aadinath. The conception. birth. ordaining and enlightenment of Lords Shantinath, Kunthunath and Arahnath had occurred at this very place. Needless to say, the place which has been connected with four Tirthankars, remains pulsating with holiness.
Beginning with Chakravarti Bharat, there have been altogether 12 Chakravartts out of which 6 Chakravartis were born here. This is the birth-place of Parashuram too.
According to scriptural reference, the first Tirthankar Shree Rishabhdev had performed the concluding rites of his one-year long penance giving the honour to king Shreyans Kumar here. Tirthankar Rishabh could not procure pure foodstuff for one year after embracing monkhood. For being ignorant of the ritual of 'Supatradaan (offering pure food to the deserving) the devotees wanted to offer him jewels, elephants, horses etc. But what was the need of all these to a monk ? Rishabhdev had to live without food for almsot 400 days. At last, king Shreyans made the Lord ceremoniously conclude his long fast by offering him sugarcane juice. This tap' (penance) is called "Varshitap' (penance for one full year or more). Since the Lord had ceremoniously concluded his 'Varshitap' in Hastinapur other people too began to perform the 'Parna (concluding rites) of their 'Varshitap' here. This day is considered to be a day of 'akshay' (undiminishing) virtue; therefore, it is called Akshay Tritiya.
Emperor Ashok's grandson Samprati had made 'Jinalayas' (temples of Jain Tirthankars i.e. divine teachers). Influential Acharyas like Shree Yakshdev Suri, Siddh Suri, Kakk Suri had visited this place along with 'Sangh' (religious entourage).
The reigning deity of the pilgrimage LORD SHREE SHANTINATH
The spires of the temples
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