Ashtapad
Also known as: Ashtapada · Astapada
Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankara of this cycle, attained nirvana on Ashtapad — which makes it one of the most significant places in Jain tradition and one you cannot visit. Its location is not established. It is widely associated with Mount Kailash, and expeditions have searched that region, but no identification is accepted across the traditions.
- Both traditions
- Tradition
- Not a place you can visit
- Kind of kshetra
- Not listed
- Staying there
Why this place
Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankara of this cycle, attained nirvana on Ashtapad — which makes it one of the most significant places in Jain tradition and one you cannot visit. Its location is not established. It is widely associated with Mount Kailash, and expeditions have searched that region, but no identification is accepted across the traditions.
Associated with
- Rishabhanatha (Adinath)
The climb, and what to expect
There is nowhere to go. Ashtapad is included here because it belongs on any list of the great tirths, and because leaving it out invites someone to go looking for a travel plan that does not exist. Representations of Ashtapad exist at several tirths, including Hastinapur and Palitana, and those are what pilgrims visit.
Sources
Every entry says where its facts came from. Community directories are often the only place a dharamshala or a landline is written down, so we keep them — and label them.
- Wikipedia — AshtapadWikipedia