Hastgiri (Hastagiri) tirth – simple details and importance

1. Location & basic info

• Hastagiri tirth is near Palitana (Gujarat), about 20–25 km away.
• It is on a small hill on the bank of river Shetrunjaya.
• The place is also called Hastisengiri.

You can read more here

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2. Spiritual history of Hastgiri

• This place is from the time of Bhagwan Rishabhdev (Adinath / Adeshwar).
• Bharat Chakravarti, eldest son of Bhagwan Rishabhdev,

- established this tirth, - did sallekhana (fast unto death) here, - and attained moksha here along with a very large number of munis.

• Even Bharat Chakravarti’s elephant did fast and died here in a pure state, so the hill is called “Hast-giri” (elephant–mountain).

On the hill there is also a small shrine with the charan (footprints) of Bhagwan Rishabhdev.

You can also see the story in very simple language here

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3. Importance of the derasar (main temple)

• The present big temple was rebuilt / consecrated in 1979.
• The temple is octagonal (8–side) and very artistic.
• Around the main temple there are 72 small Jinalayas/devkulikas.
• This tirth is also part of the 38 km Shatrunjaya parikrama.

Why this derasar is spiritually important

• It is a kalyanak-bhoomi connected with

- Bhagwan Rishabhdev, and - Bharat Chakravarti’s moksha.

• The atmosphere is very peaceful and suitable for

- pratikraman, - jaap, - swadhyay, and - austerities (tap).

• Doing darshan, pooja, chaitya-vandan, prabhu-bhakti here is believed (in Jain tradition) to give strong vairagya (detachment) and purusharth shakti (inner strength for spiritual efforts).

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4. Moolnayak Bhagwan (Mudnayakji / Moolnayakji)

Who is Moolnayak here?

• The Moolnayak (main deity) of Hastgiri is

Bhagwan Rishabhdev (Adinath / Adeshwar), usually in chaumukhi (four–faced) form.

• Four idols of Rishabhdev face the four directions, showing that

dharma and samyak-darshan are for all living beings in all directions.

Spiritual importance of Rishabhdev Moolnayak here

• Bhagwan Rishabhdev is 1st Tirthankar of this era –

the “adi-guru” of Jain Dharma.

• At Hastgiri, His Moolnayak form reminds us of:

- Tyag (renunciation) – leaving kingdom, wealth and pride. - Tap (austerity) – long, deep penance. - Vitrāgta – state without attachment and hatred.

Doing darshan of Moolnayak Rishabhdev at Hastgiri with

• shraddha,
• vinay (deep respect) and
• pratikraman for our faults,

is traditionally said to help in:

• reducing kashāy (anger, pride, deceit, greed),
• increasing samyak-darshan bhavna,
• and supporting our moksha–marg.

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5. How to do bhakti there (in simple way)

If you visit Hastgiri tirth, you can:

1. Do darshan of Moolnayak

- Stand quietly, fold hands, and think: “You became vitrāgi; may I also walk on the same path.”

1. Namokar Mantra / Rishabhdev’s jaap

- Chant slowly with full awareness, not in hurry.

1. See Bhagwan’s charan (footprints)

- Remember the qualities, not just the stone: - aparigraha (non‑possessiveness), - ahimsa, - complete forgiveness.

1. Do parikrama of the temple and hill

- Walk slowly, with bhavna of humility and maṅgal for all souls.

1. Do small tap

- e.g. ekasana, biyasana, upvaas, or even moun (silence) for some time, according to your capacity and with right understanding.

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In summary:

• Hastgiri tirth is a very ancient and powerful Jain pilgrimage place linked to

Bhagwan Rishabhdev and Bharat Chakravarti’s moksha.

• The derasar is architecturally beautiful and spiritually very uplifting.
• The Moolnayak Rishabhdev Bhagwan here is worshipped as the source of right path for the whole world in all directions.