To know more such amazing stories from Indian history, click the bell icon and subscribe to live history in India. In a city known for its traders, it is not surprising that this popular landmark, the Hattiesing Gen Temple was built by a prominent Gen trader. Ahmedabad in Gujarat is one of the fastest growing cities in India today, but fused within its urban infrastructure are monuments which are centuries old. Ahmedabad is a perfect blend of the traditional and modern and this has earned it the Tag of India's first heritage city, as inscribed by UNESCO in 2017. It has many cultural treasures that mark the harmonious existence of Hinduism, Genism and Islam for centuries here. The magnificent Hattiesing Temple is a great example of Gen Art. The construction of this temple was initiated by the Hattiesing case-reasing of Weldy Banker. He was the leader of Ahmedabad's trade guild and an influential personality in the city. It is said that he wanted to build the temple to provide employment to hundreds of skilled workers who had been affected by a recent famine in Gujarat. But as soon as Hattiesing had finalized the layout and plan of the temple and was in the process of arranging finances and engaging craftsmen, he passed away at the age of 49 in 1845. The task of bringing Hattiesing's pious dream to tradition fell upon his wife, Satani Harqwari Bhai and their sons. Harqwari Bhai supervised the construction of the temple which was finally completed in 1848. The Hattiesing Temple is dedicated to Dharmanaath Swami, the 15th Jain Tirthankar and is built in the traditional way using stone without cement, steel or mortar. It is richly ornamented with intricate and beautiful carvings and is now regarded as one of the architectural marvels of Ahmedabad. The two-story temple has 57 shikkhas or spires and 9 domes. As soon as you enter the main gateway decorated with torrents, you can see a paved courtyard which is lined by 52 Devakulikas or subsidiary shrines. Each of these shrines contain an idol of one of the Tirthankars or those of Jain saints. A first glance of the temple makes it look like a Havily with domestic architectural elements like Jharokhas and Chajjas. The temple also has hundreds of stone screens with beautiful latticework in geometrical and floral patterns. Apart from its rich design, the temple is also known for its re-enwater harvesting system which is operational even today. There are two underground tanks which supply the stored water to the temple. Opposite the temple stands a Manasthamber or a column of honor about 60 feet high. It was built in 2003 to celebrate the 2500 birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira. It was modeled after the 12th century Kirti's Tham at the Chittar fort in Rajasthan. The Manasthamber's exterior wall contains the figures of Vikpalas or the Gartians of the eight directions. The Hattising temple on the Shahibar groan in Ahmedabad offers peace and tranquility from the busy markets that surround it. The complex acts as a respite from the city's chaotic traffic and is a reminder of Gujarat's rich cultural history.