Parasnath is a mountain peak in the Parasnath hill range with an ancient history. 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 | |
| Elevation | 1,365 m (4,478 ft) |
| Listing | List of Indian states and territories by highest point |
| Coordinates | 23°57′48″N 86°07′44″E / 23.9634°N 86.129°E[1] |
| Geography | |
  Parasnath Location of Parasnath peak in Jharkhand | |
| Location | Pirtand CD Block, Giridih, Jharkhand, India |
| Parent range | Parasnath Range |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Pilgrimage Treking |
  
15km 10miles B I H
A
R H  H R R
Sakri River
Jamunia River
Barakar River C C C C C C
Isri C C C C C H H H H M R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R Cities, towns and locations in the Giridih district in North Chotanagpur Division. Key: M: municipality, C: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, H: historical/ religious/ tourist centre Owing to space constraints, the locations on click through to the larger map may vary slightly. | |
Geography
editHighest point in Jharkhand
editAt 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
editThis 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
edit-
Shwetambar temple of Lord Parshwanath at foothills of Parasnath hill -
charan paduka of lord parasnath -
"Swarna Bhadra Koot"Temple of lord parasnath on mountain peak -
Notice board on mountain -
waterfall on hill -
"Jal Mandir"A Jain temple over hill -
Temples in valley -
deity of lord pushpadant
References
edit- ^ Parasnath Hill
- ^ "Official website of the Giridih district". Retrieved 7 March 2012.
- ^ "Parasnath / Marang Buru | DISTRICT GIRIDIH, GOVERNMENT OF JHARKHAND | India".
- ^ Choudhury, Pranab Chandra Roy (1975). Bihar. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 60.
- ^ Indian Antiquary. Popular Prakashan. 1893. p. 295.
- ^ Transactions. India Mining, Geological, and Metallurgical Institute of. 1937. p. 61.
- ^ "View from Mt. Everest looking south". ViewfinderPanoramas.org. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ "Shri Sammed Shikharji - Encyclopedia of Jainism". 21 January 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ "Shikharji." Jain V. Herenow4u.net Accessed 26 May 2012
- ^ "Parasnath | DISTRICT GIRIDIH, GOVERNMENT OF JHARKHAND | India".
- ^ "The forgotten taleti of Shikharji - Palganj". 15 January 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
