Parasnath Parvat

Parasnath Parvat

Subject : Art and Culture

Context: Jains across the states are protesting against the Jharkhand government decision to change the status of the hill  from a “place of pilgrimage” to a “religious tourist destination”.

Parasnath Hill

• The Parasnath Hills are a range of hills located in the Giridih district of Jharkhand, the highest of which is 1350 meters high.
• Jains call it Sammed Shikhar. This hill has been named Parasnath after the 23rd Jain Tirthankara.
• Parasnath is a major centre of Jain Religion, as out of 24 Jain Tirthankaras, 20 Tirthankaras attained Kaivalya here.
• For each of these a temple (Gumti or Tuk) has been built on the hill.
• 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.
• It is noteworthy that the Santhals call this hill Marang Buru. They celebrate a hunting festival on the full moon day in Vaishakha (mid-April).