Hastinapur : History, Sightseeing, How To Reach & Best Time To Visit

History
Places to visit
How to reach

Hastinapur is located in the Meerut city of Uttar Pradesh. Hastinapur finds its mention not just on the modern Indian Map but also in the ancient mythological texts. Hastinapur is a city that witnessed the great war of Mahabharata, a tale of rivalry between brothers who belonged to the same family, the eminence of Lord Krishna, and the advent of Kalyuga! Hastinapur is a popular tourist destination for spiritual and curious travelers as the proof of Mahabharata, in the form of structures, that are spread across the city for which people come here from across the country and abroad to experience them.

Best Time to Visit Hastinapur

Any time of the year is great to visit Hastinapur as it observes a similar climate, as of Delhi. If you wish to avoid traveling in a hot and humid environment then the months from September to March are great.

History of Hastinapur

Hastinapur is located on the banks of river Ganga and finds its mention in The Ramayana as well as the ancient texts related to the Mauryan Empire. As per the Hindu ancient text, Hastinapur was the capital of the Kuru Kingdom in ancient times, whose rulers were known as the Kauravas. The great war of Mahabharata happened for the much-coveted throne of Hastinapur. After the war was over, the Pandavas emerged victoriously and were considered the rightful heirs of the throne. The Pandavas then ruled Hastinapur for more than 35 years.

Although the history of Hastinapur is closely related to the Hindu religion, yet the place holds similar significance for the Jain community as well. Hastinapur is a pilgrimage center for Jains because of the popular Astapad, Lotus temple, and Digambar Jain temple that are located here.

Excavations conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India proved that a few structures, rocks, etc. are as old as the Mahabharata. Hastinapur is famous for many historical temples like Karna temple, Pandeshwar temple, Kailash Parvat, and its rich biodiversity that is observed in the famous Hastinapur National Park.

Major Attractions in and Around Hastinapur

1. Ashtapad

Ashtapad literally means eight steps and it is a sacred place where Bhagwan Rishabhdev attained salvation. The original place is located somewhere in the great Himalayas which is now in Chinese territory. The Ashtapad tirth in Hastinapura is a replica of the original, where people come to offer prayers.

2. Hastinapur Sanctuary

The national park of Hastinapur Sanctuary is a hub of the place’s rich diversity. The national park was founded in the year 1986 and is spread in an area of 2,073km square. Over 350 species of birds can be observed here. The place is a paradise for wildlife and nature enthusiasts and is worth visiting.

3. Digambar Jain Mandir

Located on a hill, this shrine has a statue of Bhagwan Shantinath. The temple is visited by Jain and non-Jain followers from across the country. People come here to offer prayers and witness the idol of Bhagwan in padmasan.

4. Karna Temple

Karna temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and it is believed that the temple was built during the Mahabharata. Although the temple is as small as a room it attracts thousands of visitors every month.

How to Reach Hastinapur

Hastinapur is an old town in Uttar Pradesh, that is visited by history buffs, Hindu and Jain devotees, and tourists alike majorly for its spiritual tourist destinations. Destinations that receive great footfall are Ashtapad, Baba Digambar Jain Mandir, and Jambudweep Jain Tirthankar. You too can witness the magnificence and mysticism of these places by arriving here via a good transportation network that connects the city with other nearby cities and states.

Hastinapur is approx. 132km, 1,500km, 1,500km, and 2,200km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru. Below mentioned are some of the best and economical transportation modes and routes that you may consider if planning a visit to this ancient city.

By Road

Making plans to visit Hastinapur by your personal car or bike, sounds adventurous and it surely is, courtesy of the motorable and beautiful national and state highways that lead you to the city. Arriving from the following nearby cities you can consider the below-listed route;

Meerut - 40 km via NH 34
Noida - 120 km via Mawana Kithaur Hapur Marg
Delhi - 136 km via NH 34
Moradabad - 128 km via NH 9
Kurukshetra - 178 km via NH 709 A
Haridwar - 121 km via Bijnor Haridwar Road

Apart from private transport one can also travel via govt run or private buses to Hastinapur from various metro cities.

By Air

Delhi’s IGI Airport is the nearest airport to Hastinapur. From the airport, one may take a tourist bus or a tourist taxi to cover another 136km to reach this holy ancient city of Hastinapur. To Delhi’s IGI airport there are direct flights from all the major metro cities of India.

Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Delhi

By Rail

Meerut city railway station, Muzaffarnagar, and Hapur are the nearest railway stations to reach Hastinapur. Although from all these stations one has to travel another 35km, 45km, and 50km respectively to reach Hastinapur. Listed below are the direct trains that you may consider to reach Meerut city railway station;