Ashtapad

About this place

Ashtpad means eight steps. According to Jain scriptures, there is an Ashpad spiritual centre somewhere in the snow clad Himalayan ranges. It is located approximately 168 miles in the north of Badrinath as one travels to Kailash Parbat. It is believed to be nearly seven miles from the fabulous Mansrovar Lake, now under Chinese possession. According to legends, Bhagwan Rishabhdev, the first Tirthankar attained salvation at this place. Maharaja Bharat Chakravarti, his son built a palace on Ashtpad Mountains and decorated it with diamonds. It is also believed that those who visit Ashatpad attain salvation. With this belief in view, the Jain community has built a replica of the Ashtpad in Hastinapur, the birth place of the first teerthankar.