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The pilgrimage site of Kangra holds great historical significance, tracing back to the time of Lord Neminath, the 22nd Teerthankara of Jainism. According to legend, King Susharm Chandra embarked on a fast until he could have a divine vision of Lord Aadinath at Shatrunjay tirth in Gujarat. In response to the king's devotion, Ambika Devi, the divine deity of the kingdom, manifested a temple dedicated to Lord Aadinath within the king's fort, saving him from starvation.
The Kangra fort still houses the ancient and majestic idol of Lord Aadinath in a small shrine. Over time, this once glorious pilgrimage site fell into obscurity, possibly due to natural calamities like the devastating earthquake in 1905. The place remained neglected under government possession until Acharya Vijay Vallabh Suri Ji Maharaj of the Shwetambar Moortipujak sector rediscovered it based on the scriptures of Vigyapti Triveni. Through the dedicated efforts of Sadhvi Mrigavati Shri Ji Maharaj, the Jain community regained possession of the site from the government. Now, Jains are allowed to perform Puja/Aarti of Lord Aadinath, while the idol itself is under the care of the Archaeological Department.
To accommodate pilgrims, the Jain community acquired a new piece of land at the foothill of the fort and established facilities for boarding and lodging. A new temple was constructed to house a newly acquired idol of Lord Aadinath from Ranakpur. Surrounded by the tranquility and natural beauty of its surroundings, the site offers a serene atmosphere for meditation and introspection. Since its development, it has attracted numerous visitors from distant places and has earned the nickname "Shatrunjay of the North."
Kangra is located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, approximately 100 kilometers from Hoshiarpur in Punjab. The site is easily accessible by road, with the nearest airports being in Dharamsala (10 kilometers) and Pathankot (97 kilometers).
