The Meerut City
Hastinapur very closely linked with Mahabharata has lot of tales to tell from those times. Located on the edge of the River Ganga, Hastanipur is a birth ground of 3 Jain Teerthankara, and today Jain pilgrims come in galore to visit this place. It was ruled by the Pandavs after they won it from Kauravas when they won the battle of Mahabharta. The city has lived down the ages but at the same time has sustained the fortitude of mythology, active. Hastinapur was a significant portion of the epic and every corner of the town was a part of that major battle so all the localities have some incredible story to share.
The ancient shrine of Lord Shiva, Meerut’s Augharnath Temple is the most visited temple in the city. The Shiva Linga present in this temple is thought to be a Swayambhu or self-manifested, thus very popular with the worshippers of Shiva. The shrine is deeply associated with history as it played a major role in the freedom struggle of India. Despite the Shiva Linga you can also see the idols of Goddess Durga and Radha Krishna within the premises. People come in huge numbers on Purnima and Mahashivratri as it is chiefly a temple of Lord Shiva.
Shapir ki Dargah or Shahpeer Sahab ka Mazaar is a burial place of Shahpeer Saheb in Meerut. It was built in 1628 by queen, Noor Jahan during the Mughal era. It was constructed to honour the teacher of Emperor Jahangir, Hazrat Shahpeer who also was a consultant to the queen. The monument, the adjoining pillars and the lush green gardens all around makes Shapir, a must-visit destination in the city. The monument is built of bright red stones, which gives the monument an appealing facade under the sunset sky. Every year large number of people throngs this place during the Ramadan month as a religious fair is held over here. The city is one of the largest producers of sports goods, the largest producer of musical instruments in India, and one of Asia’s biggest gold markets. The city is also an education hub in western Uttar Pradesh, and is also known as the «Sports City Of India».