At a distance of 25 km from Palitana, Hastagiri Jain Tirth is a famous Jain temple located near Palitana in Gujarat. Situated on a hill on the bank of the Shetrunjaya River, it is one of the popular Jain pilgrimage places in Gujarat and among the must-visit places in Palitana.
Hastagiri Jain Tirth is dedicated to Bhagwan Rishabhdev or Shri Adishwar Bhagwan. This hilly land is also known as Hastisengiri. According to the history of the temple, the place is regarded as a sacred place of the times of Bhagawan Adishwar. The sacred place was established by Bharat Chakravartin, the eldest son of Bhagawan Adishwar. Even today one can see the foot images of Bhagawan in a small temple on the very ancient hill. Bharat Chakravartin had attained salvation here. He had observed fast unto death and attained moksha here. The elephant of the King also followed him, thus the teerth is called as Shri Hastagiri Tirth.
Now, there is a large and massive temple on this mount, which was built and consecrated in 1979. Spread over an area of 9 acres, the Hastagiri Jain Tirth is an octagonal shaped Jain temple, and among the major places to visit as part of Palitana tour. The main sanctum of the temple houses four idols of Vrishabhdev facing to four cardinal directions. The dome near the sanctum sanctorum has intricate carvings, similar to the carved domes of Dilwara temples of Mount Abu in beauty. Outside, there are minor Jinalayas for the 72 Tirthankars. This shrine is also part of the 38 km circumambulatory pilgrimage of Mt. Shatrunjaya.
Hastagiri is atop a mountain which can be accessed by road as well as through climbing. From the top of the mountain, the sight of the Mt. Shatrunjay temples on one side and of Mt. Kadamgiri on the other side presents a beautiful sight to the eyes. The scenic beauty that surrounds the place is very appealing.
There are dharmashalas and bhojanalas for the pilgrims in the vicinity of the temple.
This is regarded to be a sacred place of the times of Bhagawan Adishvar and peak of Mt. Shatrunjaya. This hilly land is also known as Hastisengiri. This sacred place was established by Bhagawan Adishvar’s son Bharat Chakravati. Even today there are foot-idols of bhagawan in a small temple on the very ancient hill. Bharat Chakravati, the eldest son of Bhagwan Adishvar, attained salvation here under instructions of the Acharya Vijayramachandrasurisavarji Maharaj Saheb and Mahatungasurisvarji Maharaj Saheb, this splendid, four – mouthed, octagonal Jain temple with 72 devkulikas, with three hill – forts and a lecture – hall, was set up here. Today, this temple is taller even than the tallest Jain temple of Taranga. It was formally installed on the sixth day of the bright half of the Vikram era. Late Shri Kantibhai Manibhai of Bombay, an original native of Patan devoutly took hard pains for building this temple.
