Hastinapur: The lost capital of the Mahabharat

A sacred city that echoes with the voices of gods and kings

Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, is steeped in spiritual heritage. It is home to some of Hinduism’s most sacred cities Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram; Varanasi, the city of Lord Shiva and Mathura and Vrindavan, associated with the early life of Lord Krishna. Amid these well-known centres lies Hastinapur, a lesser-known yet historically rich city. Once the capital of the Kauravas and later the Pandavas, it was a key setting in the Mahabharat and today also stands as an important centre of Jain faith.

“As Draupadi’s clothes were being pulled, she cried out to Krishna, Govinda, Kesava, Lord of Dwaraka and Vraja, for help, pleading to be saved from humiliation by the Kauravas. Distressed but still radiant, she called on him as Vishnu, Hari, and the soul of the universe. Moved by her cries, Krishna rose and came on foot. As she called out, unseen Dharma protected her, each garment removed was instantly replaced by another of the same kind.”

This powerful scene from the Mahabharata, penned by Ved Vyas, marks a turning point in the epic’s narrative. After the Pandavas lost Draupadi in a rigged game of dice, she was dragged into the royal court by Dushsasan and humiliated before the gathered assembly. As her cries for justice were met with silence, she turned to her only hope, Lord Krishna. Answering her desperate call, Lord Krishna intervened in a divine act, endlessly extending her garment. That moment of faith and divine rescue did not just save Draupadi’s dignity, it lit the spark that would ignite the great war of Kurukshetra.

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This fire was lit in the ancient city of Hastinapur, a silent witness to the most defining moments of the epic. It was here that Duryodhan refused Lord Krishna’s plea for five villages, where the Pandavas were sent to Varnavat and nearly perished in the Lakshagrah. It was from here that the echoes of the Kurukshetra war shook the very foundation of dharma. Hastinapur has seen it all, deceit, survival, divine appeal, and the turning of fate itself.

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Hastinapur, once the grand capital of the Kuru dynasty, is now a small town in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state. Located 37 km from Meerut, according to the legend, it was founded by King Hasti, a descendant of Emperor Bharat. Just as Ayodhya is intrinsically linked to the Ramayana, Hastinapur’s identity remains closely tied to the Mahabharata, as the legendary home of the Pandavas and Kauravas.

Hastinapur: The ancient heart of the Mahabharat

Nestled on the banks of the Ganga River, Hastinapur is a sacred site for both Hindus and Jains. Unlike Ayodhya, Varanasi, Mathura, or even Vrindavan, it remains a quieter spiritual destination, where devotees come to offer prayers and reflect on its ancient legacy.

Once a grand city during the time of Ved Vyas, Hastinapur’s prominence is believed to have faded due to a catastrophic flood during the reign of King Nichakshu. According to the legend, a massive surge in the Ganga forced the king and his people to abandon the city and relocate to Kaushambi.

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About 2.5 km from Hastinapur’s bus station, in the old part of the city, stands the Pandeshwar Temple, an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to the legend, the Shiva Linga in this temple was placed by Yudhishthir, the eldest of the Pandavas, to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings before the great war of Kurukshetra.

 

This orange-coloured temple is also believed to be where both the Pandavas and Kauravas studied the scriptures, Vedas and Puranas. The most special part of the temple is the Shiva Linga, which sits in the centre of the complex, surrounded by domes. Over the years, the Linga has diminished in size, now almost half its original due to the continuous Jal Abhishek, the ritual of pouring water over it every day.

On the banks of the Budhi Ganga, called the old stream of the Ganges, lies a set of simple stone steps known as Draupadi Ghat. According to legend, this is where Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas, bathed and performed her daily prayers. Today, it remains a sacred spot where people come to take ritual baths. Close to the ghat stands a unique Draupadi Temple, believed to be the only temple where Lord Krishna is shown protecting Draupadi during the Cheerharan (disrobing). Locals say that no devotee leaves this temple empty-handed. An ancient Peepal tree nearby further reflects the temple’s deep historical roots, making it a truly rare and revered site.

Not far from the Pandeshwar Temple is Karna Ghat, dedicated to the great warrior Karna, Arjun’s rival and a symbol of generosity and devotion. According to local tradition, Karna would bathe at this ghat, pray at the nearby temple, and then offer gold in charity. To this day, the ghat remains a sacred site, especially during Kartika Poornima, when devotees gather to take holy dips and honour his legacy of selfless giving.

Spiritual haven for Jains

But Hastinapur is not sacred only to Hindus. It is also a deeply revered site for Jains. The Bada Digambar Jain Mandir, located atop a 40-metre-high hill, houses the idol of Shantinath in Padmasan posture. Built in 1801 by Raja Harsukh Rai, Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II’s imperial treasurer, this temple is modelled after Mount Kailash with 75 shrines and 2,100 steps.

The complex includes altars dedicated to all 24 Tirthankaras, making it a major Jain pilgrimage site.

Another remarkable site is the Jambudweep Jain Mandir. Established under the guidance of Jain Saadhvi Gyanmati Mata, this temple, officially called Digambar Jain Institute of Cosmographic Research, aims to raise awareness about Jain cosmology and philosophy.

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Built with white and coloured marble, this structure represents the Jain universe. At its heart stands the 31-m high Mount Sumeru, carved from pink marble, believed to be the centre of the universe.

Within the Jambudweep complex lies another serene Jain shrine Kamal Mandir. Built in 1975, this temple symbolising purity and spiritual awakening is designed in the shape of a lotus. Known for its peaceful atmosphere, it draws generous donations from devotees. In keeping with its tranquil spirit, the temple lights traditional earthen lamps and offers golden umbrellas as a symbolic gesture to fulfill the wishes of the faithful.

 

Today, Hastinapur may be a quiet town, but its legacy runs deep. From the divine intervention that saved Draupadi’s honour to the sacred rituals of Karna and the cosmic vision of Jain temples, it remains a living link between mythology, history, and faith. As the silent witness to dharma, devotion, and transformation, the city continues to inspire all who walk its ancient paths.