One of the greatest kingdoms of the ancient times is Hastinapur, a city in the northern part of India in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The city is the center to the epic of Mahabharata that everyone knows of. The city is packed with history, art, beautiful architecture and let’s not forget the Hastinapur Wildlife sanctuary where you can see some of the most endangered species in the region. There are numerous things to do in Hastinapur; you can visit few of the many ancient temples that have intricate designs, you can go bird watching, camping, go on a boat ride on the Ganges and so much more. Let’s have a look at some of the activities you can indulge in, in this old city of Hastinapur.

Located at a distance of about 35 km from the center of Hastinapur city is Shastri Nagar, a haven for shopaholics. You can visit Begum Bridge, Abu Lane and other street shopping areas in Shastri Nagar to find a variety of products that are easily available and that too at a reasonable price. You can shop from various items like handicrafts, cloth that is manufactured there, carved idols of different deities and a lot more. You can take back any of these items as souvenirs for your friends and family. You may not find a lot of branded products, but you will definitely find authentic products from Hastinapur.

The Pandav Temple is one of the oldest temples in Hastinapur and exists from the era of the Mahabharata. This temple is located at a distance of 1 km from the Jambudeep Temple and inside the temple you will find various idols of deities from Hindi mythology. It is said that it is at this very temple that the Pandavas came everyday to offer their prayers and attain blessings from Lord Shiva. This temple was later on renovated by King Nain Singh in 1798 who also established idols of the five Pandava brothers inside the temple.

Part of the Jambudweep temple complex is another beautiful Jain temple by the name of Sumeru Parvat. Originally, Sumeru Parvat is a mountain in the Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand; taking inspiration from this mountain, the Jain community in Hastinapur constructed a similar structure in the Jambudweep temple complex. The Sumeru Parvat in Hastinapur is built in light pink marble and is placed right in the middle of the Jambudweep Rachna. This is a structure that you wouldn’t want to miss; if you are on your way to see the beautiful temples in the region, make sure you visit Jambudweep and have a look at the magnificent structure of Sumeru Parvat.

Another magnificent structure inside the Jambudweep complex is the Teen Lok Rachna that was modeled and structured taking inspiration from the shape of the universe. The structure consists of Adholok, meaning 7 hells, Madhyalok, meaning with islands and oceans and Urdhvalok, meaning 16 heavens. The building has an elevator that is ready to take you up, down or in the middle of the structure where you can see the structure of the universe. So, basically you can get a view of heavenly places, temples, deities, hellish beings, hell and a lot more. This is a great place to explore if you believe in afterlife.

If you are done looking the ancient temples in the city, head over to Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary to go on a nature camp. Rent a tent from the authorities at the sanctuary and set it up in the stipulated area to be close to nature. The surroundings are dotted with lush greenery, small hills and many waterfalls as well. You can find water bodies like ponds and rivers where animals come to quench their thirst and you have the chance of observing them in their natural habitat. In the night, you can enjoy stargazing from the tent and a lovely dinner cooked on bonfire.

Feeling a little adventurous? Hop on a jungle safari at Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary and have a look at some of the rarest species in India. The best time to go on a safari is during the winters when the climate is apt to go sightseeing and it is at this time that there is more wildlife activity. You can spot various creatures like leopard, cheetah, wild cat, hyena etc; you can also spot different species of migratory birds like kingfisher, minivet, barbet, jungle owlet and many more in this region. The sanctuary is one of the main attractions in the city and if you are a nature enthusiast, going on a jeep safari is something you must indulge in.

Hastinapur is a city full of ancient temples, the Hastinapur Sanctuary and a region that is dotted with so much history. The city is situated right by River Ganga which is considered to be very holy. Most of these temples in the city are built and established right by the river and one can take a boat ride to see these temples. If you are done seeing the temples in the city, simply enjoy a boat ride on the Ganges, where you can hear the sound of bells from the temples along with fragrance of burning incense sticks and humming of several prayers.

There are so many temples dedicated to Hindu Gods in Hastinapur and one of them has to be a Krishna Temple. The Jai Shree Krishna Temple in Hastinapur is one of the temples in the city that is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna was an important part in Mahabharata and to commemorate his teachings, this temple was built. The Jai Shree Krishna Temple in Hastinapur is taken care of by the ISKCON temple community. Inside the temple you can see a beautiful shrine of Lord Krishna long with different idols of Krishna all over the temple. Although during peak season there is a long queue of people waiting to see the shrine, you must still visit; the best time to visit this temple is during the morning aarti.

Located at a distance of 9.7 km from the center of Hastinapur city is a beautiful pond called Pakka Talab. This is a prominent tourist destination where you can enjoy the sport of fishing; you can find various fish in this pond and it is a good place for children as well. The surroundings of the talab makes is a great place to relax and spend an entire day. There is also a beautiful fountain right in the middle of the pond which is calming to watch. Even though the surrounding areas are still under construction, most of the area has ample amount of space for visitors and locals to sit and have a jolly time. You can even come here for a morning or evening walk and enjoy the beauty of the lake.

If you are a wildlife enthusiast and interested in observing animals and birds, then do visit the Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary. Along with various critters found in the area, there are also a lot of different kinds of birds, both migratory and native ones. The wetlands near the sanctuary are the ideal spot for migratory birds to come breed in the region and this is the best time to go see these birds in their natural habitat. The region has more than 150 species of migratory birds coming in from other regions and also has a lot of local birds that you are able to observe. Don’t forget to carry your binoculars so that you can observe the birds from a much closer view.