PARASNATH DIGAMBAR JAIN TEMPLE

Shikharji is one of the highest mountain of the Parasnath range in the Girdih District of Jharkhand. It is a place where 20 of the 24 Jain tirthankaras attained Moksha.

Facts Behind The Name

We can easily find the reference of Shikharji being as a tirtha in the Jnatradharmakatha which is one of the twelve core texts of Jainism. The nineteenth tirthankara, practiced samadhi. Shikharji is also mentioned in the Parsavanathacarita which is the Biography of Parsava written in 12th century.


The popularity of Shikharji as a site of pilgrimage followed that of Vulture Peak, Bihar where it is believed the Buddhist Sariputta attained enlightenment.


Jharkhand acquired Shikharji under the Bihar Land Reforms Act, leaving the rights of Jains in doubt. Use of Shikharji as a tourist destination also impacts on the religious beliefs of the Jain. Sports such as paragliding and parasailing may take place at Shikharji.

Approaches of Worship

A view of temple along with mountain

There is a option for Parikramaof the entire Parasnath Hill, a pilgrimage of 54 kilometres (34 mi). The parikrama path is throug the forest and is walking only.The pilgrimage to Shikharji is a round trip of 30 kilometre through the Madhuban forest. The section from Gandharva Nala stream to the summit is the most sacred to Jains. The pilgrimage is made on foot or by a litter or doli carried by a doliwallah along a concrete paved track. Along the track are shrines to each of the twenty four tirthankaras and vendors of tea, coffee, water, fruits and snacks.

Various Temples on the Trek

The temple at Shikharji is a new construction with some parts dating to the eighteenth century. However, the idol itself is very old. Various temples are situated along the trek including:-

• Ganadhara 
• Kunthunatha 
• Rishabhanan 
• Chandranan 
• Naminatha 
• Aranatha

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  A temple on the trek



• Māllīnātha 
• Shreyanasanatha 
• Pushpadanta 
• Padmaprabha 
• Munisuvrata 
• Chandraprabha 
• Adinath 
• Anantanatha 
• Shitalanatha 
• Sambhavanatha 
• Vasupujya 
• Abhinandananatha 
• Ganadhara

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  Inside view of Parasnath temple
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• Jal Mandir 
• Dharmanatha 
• Vardhaman 
• Varishen 
• Sumatinatha 
• Shantinatha 
• Mahavira 
• Suparshvanatha 
• Vimalanatha 
• Ajitanatha 
• Neminatha 
• Parshvanatha.

How to Reach?

You can easily Headover to this place because it is easily accesible through Roadways and Railways.


The nearest Railway station is Parasnath having connectivity to major Railway stations such as Delhi, kolkata, Ranchi, Dhanbad, e.t.c. From Parasnath Railway Station excellent modes of transportation are availiable by using which one can easily headover to "Madhuban"(A small village located in the foothills of mountain). From here the journey begins.

Parasnath Railway Station

By Airway; Nearest airport is Ranchi and 4 hour drive from Ranchi airport.

My Experience

Entrance of the temple

I recently visited this temple and had a overwhelming experience. This mountain along with its temples is full up of various temples which add divinity along with the adventurous activities include trekking. This Place is situated in the lap of nature which is also a major fact attracting the tourists. One can feel mental calmness and Peace and soothing mind. It is worth visiting.

Me inside the temple