Parasnath

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Parasnath
Shikhar Ji
Shikharji Parasnath Giridih.jpg
Parasnath Hill
Highest point
Elevation 1,365 m (4,478 ft)
Prominence 1,017 m (3,337 ft)
Listing List of Indian states and territories by highest point, Ribu
Coordinates 23°57′48″N86°07′44″E / 23.9634°N 86.129°E / 23.9634; 86.129 [1]
Naming
Native nameSarak bhumi (Sanskrit)
Geography
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Parasnath
Location of Parasnath peak in Jharkhand
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15km
10miles
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Pareshnath Hill
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Parasnath Hill and other locations in the Giridih district in North Chotanagpur Division. Key:
M: municipality, C: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, H: historical/ religious/ tourist centre
Click or prolonged tap on icons for detail. Owing to space constraints, the locations on click through to the larger map may vary slightly.
Location of Parasnath peak in Jharkhand
Location Pirtand CD Block, Giridih, Jharkhand, India
Parent range Parasnath Range
Climbing
Easiest route Pilgrimage Treking

Parasnath is a mountain peak in the Parasnath hill range. It is located towards the eastern end of the Chota Nagpur Plateau in the Giridih district (Hazaribagh district in British India) of the Indian state of Jharkhand, India. [2] The hill is named after Parshvanatha, the 23rd Jain Tirthankara who got salvation here. [3] In this connection, there is Jain pilgrimage Shikharji on the top of hill. The hill is also known as Sammet Shikhar (lit.'great mountain', the supreme deity) by other autochthonous of the region in religious contexts. [4] [5] [6]

Contents

Geography

Highest point in Jharkhand

At 1,365 m (4,478 ft) Parasnath is the highest mountain peak in the state of Jharkhand, and is theoretically inter-visible (by direct line of sight on a perfectly clear day) with Mount Everest over 450 km (280 mi) away. [7]

There is a beautiful Jain temple on the mountain peak known as "Svarna Bhadra koot " ("cottage of golden grace"). [8] The temple is made of marble.There is another marble jain temple on hill known as Jal Mandir.

It is easily accessible from Parasnath railway station.

Jain Heritage

This is one of the most holy and revered sites for the Jain community. They call it Sammed Sikhar. It is a major pilgrimage site. Out of 24 Tirthankaras of Jains, 20 got nirvana on Parshvnatha Hills.

On the mountain, there are the Shikharji Jain temples, an important tirthakshetra or Jain pilgrimage site. [9] For each Tirthankara there is a shrine (gumti or Tonk) on the hill. [10]

The Jain temple is believed to be constructed by Magadha King Bimbisara. Cunningham noted stone structures in the village, which he describes as a remnant of a Buddhist stupa datable to the 2nd century BCE. Although the site was noted by Cunningham, no excavation has occurred to date.

An ancient idol of Lord Parasnath is located in the valley at Palganj. The idol is believed to be 2500 years old. [11]

See also

Related Research Articles

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Shikharji Movement comprises series of protests, rallies and fasting to death organised by Jain community to protest against state and central government of India's intervention on the sacred hill of Shikharji Non-violent protests & nationwide rallies have been organised & two Jain monks have died while fasting to death to protest any tourism activity on the hill. The movement was initiated by Shwetambara Jain monks against recent infrastructure development initiated by the existing Government's actions, which Jains believe, has severely affected the sanctity of the Shikharji Hill. This Movement is unitedly led by Jains of all sects.

References

  1. Parasnath Hill
  2. "Official website of the Giridih district" . Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  3. "Parasnath / Marang Buru | DISTRICT GIRIDIH, GOVERNMENT OF JHARKHAND | India".
  4. Choudhury, Pranab Chandra Roy (1975). Bihar. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 60.
  5. Indian Antiquary. Popular Prakashan. 1893. p. 295.
  6. Transactions. India Mining, Geological, and Metallurgical Institute of. 1937. p. 61.
  7. "View from Mt. Everest looking south". ViewfinderPanoramas.org. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  8. "Shri Sammed Shikharji - Encyclopedia of Jainism". 21 January 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  9. "Shikharji." Jain V. Herenow4u.net Accessed 26 May 2012
  10. "Parasnath | DISTRICT GIRIDIH, GOVERNMENT OF JHARKHAND | India".
  11. "The forgotten taleti of Shikharji - Palganj". 15 January 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2023.