Parasnath

Summary

Parasnath is an ancient mountain peak and 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 Marang Buru (lit.'great mountain', the supreme deity) by Santhals and other autochthonous of the region in religious context.[4][5][6]

Parasnath
Marang Buru
Parasnath Hill
Highest point
Elevation1,365 m (4,478 ft)
ListingList of Indian states and territories by highest point
Coordinates23°57′48″N 86°07′44″E / 23.9634°N 86.129°E / 23.9634; 86.129[1]
Geography
Parasnath is located in Jharkhand
Parasnath
Parasnath
Location of Parasnath peak in Jharkhand
LocationPirtand CD Block, Giridih, Jharkhand, India
Parent rangeParasnath Range
Climbing
Easiest routePilgrimage Treking

Geography edit

 
 
 
15km
10miles
 
B
I
H
A
R
Jharkhand
Dham
H
Mirzaganj
R
Lokainayanpur
R
Sakri River
Jamunia
River
Barakar
River
Telodih
CT
Sirsia
CT
Pertodih
CT
Paratdih
CT
Maheshmunda
CT
Jamtara
CT
Isri
CT
Dhanwar
CT
Dandidih
CT
Barki Saraiya
CT
Akdoni Khurd
CT
Giridih coalfield
Usri Falls
H
Kharagdiha
H
Madhuban
H
Pareshath Hill
HV
Shikharji
H
Giridih
M
Tisri
R
Taratanr
R
Suriya
R
Pirtand
R
Hirodih
R
Khukhra
R
Khori Mahua
R
Jamua
R
Hesla
R
Gawan
R
Gandey
R
Dumri
R
Deori
R
Birni
R
Bhelwaghati
R
Bengabad
R
Bagodar
R
Nimiaghat
R
Ahilyapur
R
  
Cities, towns and locations in the Giridih district in North Chotanagpur Division
M: municipality, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, H: historical/ religious/ tourist centre
Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly

Highest point in Jharkhand edit

At 1365 m Parasnath is the highest mountain peak in the state of Jharkhand, and is theoretically inter-visible (by direct line of sight on a perfectly clearIday) with Mount Everest over 450 km eyeteeth.[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 edit

 
Shwetambar temple of Lord Parshwanath at foothills of Parasnath hill

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 Jaina 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 held till date.

An Ancient idol of lord parasnath is located in valley at Palganj.The idol is believed to be 2500 year old.[11]

See also edit

References edit

  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. ^ India, Mining, Geological, and Metallurgical Institute of (1937). Transactions. p. 61.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "View from Mt. Everest looking south". ViewfinderPanoramas.org. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  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.