Parasnath Hills

Parasnath Hills are a range of hills in northern Jharkhand. The highest peak is 1350 metres.

Understand
This range is one of the most important pilgrimage centres for Jains. They call it Sammed Sikharji. The hill is named after Parasnath, the 23rd Tirthankara. Twenty of the twenty-four Jain Tirthankaras attained salvation on this hill. According to some, nine Tirthakaras attained salvation on this hill. For each of them there is a shrine (gumti or tuk) on the hill. Some of the temples on the hill are believed to be more than 2,000 years old. However, although the place has been inhabited from ancient times, the temples may be of more recent origin.

About 50,000 Jain pilgrims visit Sammed Shikharji every year.

The Santhals call it Marang Buru, the hill of the deity. They celebrate a hunting festival on the full moon day in Baisakh (mid April).

Get in
Best time to visit is from October to March when the weather is pleasant.

By road
Parasnath Hill is on Grand Trunk Road NH 2.The nearby place for reaching Parasnath is Ranchi 190 km, Bokaro 40 km, Jhumri Tileya 80 km Dhanbad 60 km and Hazaribagh 80 km

By rail
Parashnath station on the Howrah-Delhi grand chord line is the base for a visit to Parashnath. The adjacent town is called Isri or Isri Bazar. It has got some Jain dharmashalas. There is a Dak Bungalow at Dumri about a mile from the station. There is small station at Nimiaghat from where also Parasnath Hill is accessible, but the said route is not the popular one, people only travel by this route once a year. Best is to take 36 seat bus/rental car from Isri Bazar for Madhuban and the metalled trek route of 9 km to Shikharji (Parashnath).

Almost all the major trains running on The Grand Chord line (Delhi to Kolkata) stop at Parasnath station. These include New Delhi - Kolkata Rajdhani Express, Puri - New Delhi Purushottam Express, Mumbai- Howrah Mail, Ahmedabad-Asansol Parasnath Express. In view of the tourist volume, Parasnath station has been built as a model station by Indian Railways.
 * Parasnath - one passenger train in the evening is available for Dhanbad.

Get around
The summit of Parasnath Hill can be reached either from the southern or the northern side. There are two recognized routes to Parasnath Hill.

The southern approach is from Isri Bazaar, to the top, is motorable for about 2 km, the rest being a climb of 8 km.

The northern approach is a 13 km route from Madhuban village on the Dumri-Giridih road. Madhuban is about 40 km from Giridih and about 10 km from Parasnath rail station/ Isri Bazaar/ Dumri, all on Grand Trunk Road (NH 2). Buses ply along this route from Dumri to Giridih and stop at Madhuban village. Hired cars or taxis are available at Isri Bazar, just outside the rail station. There are a number of Jain temples at Madhuban.

After 3.5 km from Madhuban there is a stream called Gandharva nala and further up there is another stream Sita nala. The Jains hold the portion from Gandharva nala up to the summit as very sacred. It is easier to reach Parasnath from its northern side.

Ponies and dandis for the climb can be arranged at short notice. Jeeps and such power-driven vehicles can be hired to carry visitors for a considerable distance up the hill. Thereafter they have to walk.

Area landmarks


Note: The attached map is slightly erroneous. Dumri is wrongly shown, so is the road from Dumri. Dumri is where the Forest Rest House is marked.

See
Parashnath Hill Top Partly up the hill At Hill Base (Madhuban)
 * Jain temples - Samosharan temple and Bhomiyaji Asthan
 * Jain temples - Samosharan temple and Bhomiyaji Asthan

Note: Enlarge (+) the attached map to view a particular area in more detail.

Do

 * Engage in religious activities.
 * Climb the hill. There is a road going up for some distance.
 * Panoramic views of the surrounding areas as one goes higher up the hill - Chandraprabhuji, Pushpnandanji, Goutamswamiji and Chaprakund.
 * Madhuban is a popular picnic spot. BUT IT IS A SACRED PLACE FOR JAINS ALL OVER THE WORLD, HENCE THERE IS RESTRICTION FOR NON VEG AND ALCOHOL

Eat
There are small eateries, where vegetarian food is available.

Drink
Alcohol is prohibited in this area.

At Madhuban
The Jains have provided rest houses at the foot of the hill at Madhuban. The food is strictly vegetarian at these places. Non-vegetarian food, even if brought from outside, is not allowed.

Go next

 * Giridih - about 46 km from Isri
 * Dhanbad - about 50 km from Isri
 * Topchanchi - about 15 km from Isri. See Dhanbad for details
 * Bodhgaya - about 150 km from Isri
 * Kolkata - about 320 km from Isri