Ashtapad, Hastinapur - Timings, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings
#3 of 12 Places to Visit in Hastinapur
Distance (From Hastinapur Bus Station): 2 Kms
Trip Duration (Including Travel): 30 Mins
Place Location: Near Bada Jain Mandir
Transportation Options: Cab / Auto
Travel Tips: None
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. It is also believed that those who visit Ashtapad attain salvation.
With this belief in view, the Jain community has built a replica of the Ashtapad in Hastinapur, the birthplace of the first Tirthankara. Ashtapad in Hastinapur is a 151 feet tall, 108 diameter palatial structure built over eight floors. It has eight padas or steps and each step is 108 feet in height. A grand beautiful temple has been built on top of the mountain in accordance with Jain scriptures and craftsmanship. The entire temple is built with pure white marble, which makes it very unique in the world, in terms of its craftsmanship.
In the lower part of the temple, four idols of Bhagwan Rishabhdev in convergence or a divine preaching hall (Samavasaran) have been established in all 4 directions. The entire family of Rishabhdev Bhagwan has been depicted in the form of idols in the divine preaching hall. On the outer periphery of the mountain, 501 idols each, have been installed on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th storeys respectively. Hence, a total of 1503 idols of sages (tapas) have been placed on the mountain.
Timings: 7 AM - 12 PM & 2 PM - 6 PM
Entry: Free