Old Jain Mandir

Centre of Hansi's Jain community since medieval times; site of a major 1982 hoard of ancient bronzes

Hansi has been a Jain centre for at least 1,500 years, and the old Jain mandir near the bazaar is the focus of the community today. The current building is a modern reconstruction over an older shrine, with the usual Jain plan β€” central altar with marble Tirthankara images, lateral chapels, and a small assembly hall.

The real archaeological interest of Jain Hansi lives in museums in Kurukshetra and Delhi, but the temple still functions and pilgrims do visit. Stone Tirthankara figures from the medieval period are also displayed outside Asigarh Fort.

things to do sight
A story
In 1982, workers digging in the old Jain quarter uncovered a hoard of 57 bronze Tirthankara and related figures, some dating to the Gupta period (4th–6th century CE) β€” apparently buried for safekeeping before a medieval invasion and never recovered. Most are now in the Sri Krishna Museum at Kurukshetra.