Parasnath
Parasnath is a mountain peak in the Parasnath Range. It is located towards the eastern end of the Chota Nagpur Plateau in the Giridih district of the Indian state of Jharkhand, India.[2]. The hill is named after Lord Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara.[3]
Parasnath | |
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पारसनाथ | |
View of the mountain peak from the road towards Parasnath railway station. | |
Highest point | |
Elevation | 1,370 m (4,490 ft) |
Listing | List of Indian states and territories by highest point |
Coordinates | 23°57′48″N 86°07′44″E [1] |
Geography | |
Location of Parasnath peak in Jharkhand | |
Location | Giridih, Jharkhand, India |
Parent range | Parasnath Range |
Climbing | |
Easiest route | Hike |
Highest point in Jharkhand
At 1365 m Parasnath is the highest mountain peak in the state of Jharkhand, and is theoretically intervisible (by direct line of sight on a perfectly clear day) with Mount Everest over 450 km to the north[4]. 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 Thirthankaras of Jains, 20 got nirvana on Parshvnatha Hills.
On the mountain, there are the Shikharji Jain temples, an important tirthakshetra or Jain pilgrimage site.[5]. For each Tirthankara there is a shrine (gumti or Tonk) on the hill.[6]
Some of the temples on the hill are believed to be more than 2,000 years old. However, although the place is habited from ancient times, the temples may be of more recent origin.[7]
It is of cultural importance for the Santhals too. The call it Marang Buru, the hill of the deity. They celebrate a hunting festival on the full moon day in Vaisakh (mid-April).[7]
References
- Parasnath Hill
- "Official website of the Giridih district". Retrieved 7 March 2012.
- https://giridih.nic.in/tourist-place/parasnath/
- "View from Mt. Everest looking south". ViewfinderPanoramas.org. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
- "Shikharji." Jain V. Herenow4u.net Accessed 26 May 2012
- https://giridih.nic.in/tourist-place/parasnath/
- "Parasnath | DISTRICT GIRIDIH, GOVERNMENT OF JHARKHAND | India". Retrieved 11 May 2020.