Parasnath

This article is about the mountain. For the Jain holy site, see Shikharji. For the tirthankara, see Parshvanatha.

Not to be confused with Pareshnath.

Parasnath
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
Geography
Location of Parasnath peak in Jharkhand
Location	Pirtand CD Block, Giridih, Jharkhand, India
Parent range	Parasnath Range
Climbing
Easiest route	Hike

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. The hill is named after Lord Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara.

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. It is easily accessible from Parasnath railway station.

Jain Heritage

Main article: Shikharji

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

Some of the temples on the hill are believed to be more than 2,000 years old. However, although the place was inhabited since ancient times, the temples may be of more recent origin.

It is of cultural importance for the Santhals too. They call it Marang Buru, the hill of the deity. They celebrate a hunting festival on the full moon day in Vaisakh (mid-April).

See also

• List of mountains in India
• List of mountains by elevation