Parasnath is a mountain peak 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 Sammet Shikhar (lit.'great mountain', the supreme deity) by other autochthonous of the region in religious contexts.[4][5][6]

Historically

Historically parasnath or sammed shikharji is an ancient Jain pilgrimage site it is a place were the 23rd tirthankara Parshwanath(also known as Parasnath) attained salvation here in 772 BCE. It is noteworthy that the name of the parasnath hill derived from the Jain Tirthankar Parshvanath who is also known as Parasnath or Parsva who attained salvation here during the 8th century BCE. After preaching for 70 years, Parshvanath attained moksha at Shikharji on Parasnath hill.Some jain texts call the place as Mount Sammeta.[7] It is revered in Jainism because 20 of its 24 tirthankars are believed to have attained moksha there.[8][9][10] at the age of 100 on Shravana Shukla Saptami according to Lunar Calendar.[11] His moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death) in Jain tradition[12] is celebrated as Moksha Saptami. This day is celebrated on large scale at Parasnath tonk of the mountain, in northern Jharkhand, part of the Parasnath Range[13] by offering Nirvana Laddu (Sugar balls) and reciting of Nirvana Kanda. Parshvanatha has been called purisādāṇīya (beloved of the people) by Jains.[14][15][16]

Highest point in Jharkhand

At 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.[17]

There is a beautiful Jain temple on the mountain peak known as "Svarna Bhadra koot " ("cottage of golden grace").[18] 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

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.[19] For each Tirthankara there is a shrine (gumti or Tonk) on the hill.[20]

The Jain temple is believed to be constructed either by the Magadha King Bimbisara or by the Kalinga King Avakinnayo Karakandu.

An ancient idol of Lord Parasnath is located in the valley at Palganj. The idol is believed to be 2500 years old.[21]

See also

References

  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. ^ Transactions. India Mining, Geological, and Metallurgical Institute of. 1937. p. 61.
  7. ^ Jacobi 1964, p. 275.
  8. ^ Cort 2010, pp. 130–133.
  9. ^ Wiley 2009, p. 148.
  10. ^ Dundas 2002, p. 221.
  11. ^ Dundas 2002, p. 30.
  12. ^ Sangave 2001, p. 104.
  13. ^ Kailash Chand Jain 1991, p. 13.
  14. ^ Jacobi 1964, p. 271 with footnote 1.
  15. ^ Kailash Chand Jain 1991, pp. 12–13.
  16. ^ Schubring 1964, p. 220.
  17. ^ "View from Mt. Everest looking south". ViewfinderPanoramas.org. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  18. ^ "Shri Sammed Shikharji - Encyclopedia of Jainism". 21 January 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  19. ^ "Shikharji." Jain V. Herenow4u.net Accessed 26 May 2012
  20. ^ "Parasnath | DISTRICT GIRIDIH, GOVERNMENT OF JHARKHAND | India".
  21. ^ "The forgotten taleti of Shikharji - Palganj". 15 January 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
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