The construction of this temple was done by Babu Shri Pratapchand ji Parsan, the son of Shri Gulabchand ji Parsan, resident of Calcutta, with his personal wealth, which was completed during Vikram Samvat 1929 (around 1872-73).
‘Punjab Kesari’ Jainacharya Shrimadh Vijay Vallabh Surishwar Ji Maharaj, had visited Hastinapur on a pilgrimage, accompanied by the various members of “Shri Sangha” (Jain devotees). Here, he saw the existing Shwetambar Jain temple in a dilapidated state. He was pained to see such condition of a great shrine, which could be regarded as a parallel to “Shatrunjay Mahatirth” in North India. He thus inspired the managing committee – “Shri Hastinapur Jain Shwetambar Tirth Samiti” to resurrect and renovate the Shantinath temple. After visiting Hastinapur, he reached Palitana (Gujarat), and gave a message to the Jain societies across India.
"There is no doubt that this land has been sanctified by the presence of the supreme-worshipable, revered, Tarnahar, Trilokinath Shri Jain Tirthankara Gods and other sages-maharishis. It is everlasting in its soil, and is absolutely necessary to renovate this supremely sacred shrine"
After this, Shri Hastinapur Jain Shwetambar Tirth Samiti started the efforts to renovate the old temple.
Head of the managing committee, Sh. Vinodbhai N. Dalal started correspondence with Seth Anandji Kalyanji Pedhi (Trust) on this subject. Seth Shri Kasturbhai Lalbhai (Ahmedabad), President of Pedhi (trust), sent Sh. Amrit Lal Mulshankar Trivedi, Chief Architect of Pedhi (trust), to Hastinapur, to inspect the old temple.
Due to the prevailing circumstances while the construction of the old Jain temple, there was lack of proper use of Jain art and crafts knowledge. Compared to the sanctum sanctorum of Shri Shantinath Bhagwan, the sanctum sanctorum of Shri Kunthunath Bhagwan and Shri Arnath Bhagwan were at a lower level. The pillar in front of the sanctum sanctorum was one foot below, and the pillars in its front were seven inches further down. The main entrance and that of the temple, were one and a half feet below the sanctum sanctorum. Even the seats of the idols of “Moolnayak” (main idol) Shri Shantinath Bhagwan, Shri Kunthunath Bhagwan and Shri Arnath Bhagwan and their eyesight were inappropriate.
The “Drishti” (eyesight) of Shri Shantinath Bhagwan was one quarter inches higher, while the other two main statues were eight and seven and a half inches lower, respectively. Temple was located at the centre of a Dharamshala. However, the temple had its back to the main entrance of the Dharamshala as well as the village settlement. There was a complete lack of “Mandap” (pavilion decoration) in the temple. The Shikhar (temple peak) was also not built as per the traditional Jain architecture standards.
Therefore, keeping all the statues (idols), foot marks (“charan”) etc. intact and safeguarded, the temple was to be renovated in such a way that the craftsmanship and classical jain traditions should be completely implemented and incorporated.
It was decided unanimously, that to implement this massive renovation work, a map of the temple should be made with the advice of master craftsman Shri Amrit Lal Bhai, Shri Vijayodaya Surishwar Ji Maharaj, and Seth Shri Kasturbhai Lalbhai, (Ahmedabad). This renovation work was then presided under the able and expert guidance of the Sh. Vinodbhai N. Dalal (Delhi), who was the head of tirth samiti.
Under the inspiration of Punjab Kesari, Acharya Srimadh Vijay Vallabh Surishwar Ji Maharaj, the renovation work commenced on 22.06.1962, in the “Shubh Muhurta” (auspicious time). The first stone was laid by Sh. Ganesh Das ji, son of a divine Guru disciple Sh. Lala Pyarelal ji Barad (Ambala). Upon completion of the newly renovated temple, the “Pratishtha” ceremony (auspicious formal opening) was done on “Vikram Samvat 2021, Margashirsha Sudi Dasami” (14.12.1964) in the divine presence of “Shantmurti Jinshasan Ratna”, Acharya Shrimadh Vijay Samudra Surishwar Ji Maharaj. This massive renovation work was successfully completed with the immense and active contributions of Sh. Vinodbhai N. Dalal and other trustees.
Hastinapur has been famous for five stupas of five different Jain tirthankaras. First Tirthankara Shri Rishabhdev, 16th Tirthankar Shri Shantinath, 17th Tirthankar Shri Kunthunath, 18th Tirthankar Sri Aranath, 19th Tirthankar Sri Mallinath - Descriptions of five stupas built in memory of these five Tirthankaras, have been documented in the books, memoirs of the traveller associations (pilgrims) visiting here. These five stupas have known to exist till the 17th century. However, today, only one of those ancient stupas exist here, which is located in the Nishiya Ji Temple of Shwetambara Jains. It is believed that Shri Rishabhdev Bhagwan had performed his “Varshitap Parana” at this very sacred place.
