Parasnath Hills

 

These are range of hills located in Giridih district of Jharkhand state. The highest peak is situated at an altitude of 1350m and is the highest peak south of the Himalayas. This site is an important pilgrimage centre for the Jains who call it “Sammet Sikhar”. The peak is named after Parasnath, the 23 rd Tirthankara of the Jains. It is believed that twenty of the twenty four Tirthankaras attained salvation on this hill. However, another version says that nine Tirthankaras attained salvation here. There is a shrine (Gumti or Tuk) on the hill dedicated in memory of each Tirthankaras. Parasnath is also known as Marang Buru or hill deity of the Santhal tribes of Hazaribagh, Manbhum, Bankura and Santhal Parganas.

The pilgrimage to Shikharji is a round trip of 30 kilometres through the Madhuban forest. The section from Gandharva Nala stream to the summit is the most sacred to Jains. The pilgrimage is made on foot or by a litter or doli carried by a doliwallah along a concrete paved track. Along the track are shrines to each of the twenty four tirthankaras.  There is an option for parikrama of the entire Parasnath Hill, a pilgrimage of 54 kilometres (34 mi). The parikrama path is through the forest and is walking only.

Recently, the site was declared a wild life sanctuary. Forest officials are trying to dissuade the tribals from conducting the religious hunt.

Source:

http://parasnath.nic.in/parasnath.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shikharji

 

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