Sammed Shikharji – Sacred Jain Pilgrimage Destination
Sammed Shikharji, also famous as Parasnath Hill, is a highly honoured Jain pilgrimage site. It is considered the holiest site for the Jain religion. 20 of the 24 Jain Tirthankaras got nirvana at this place; due to this, it is very popular among the Jain community. It is considered the most important Jain Tirtha by Digambara and Svetambara.
The location – Sammed Shikharji
Sammed Shikharji is located at the highest hill in Jharkhand, rising 1,350 meters. The pilgrimage site is near Madhuban, a small village that serves as the starting point for the walk. Thousands of Jain devotees come here every year in search of enlightenment and inner peace. The mountain peak is theoretically inter-visible with Mount Everest, which is more than 450 kilometers away when viewed directly.
The Origin of Parasnath Hill’s Name:
The name of the hill originates from the name of the 23rd Jain Tirthankara Parshvanath, also known as Parasnath or Parsva. He obtained moksha (salvation) in the 8th century BCE after 70 years of preaching.
The mixture of architecture and Natural Beauty:
As the location is on hills, it gives you a perfect, breathtaking view once you start the journey as a yatra. Tonks, temples, and resting places are encountered by hikers throughout the route; each is constructed with elaborate carvings and Jain architectural influences. The yatra begins at the base at the Shri Digambar Jain Siddha Kshetra Sammed Shikharji Temple.
On the mountain crest, there is a wonderful marble-constructed Jain temple called “Svarna Bhadra Koot” (“cottage of golden grace”). Jal Mandir is another marble Jain temple located on a hill.
Historical significance:
In Jain scriptures, Sammed Shikharji has been mentioned with its importance as a sacred pilgrimage site. Shikharji’s identification as a tirth was initially used in the Jnatr dharma katha, one of the twelve foundational Jain texts. Shikharji is also mentioned in the Parsvanathacarita, a biography of Lord Parshvanath written in the eleventh century.
The palm-leaf copy of the Kalpa Sutra and Kalakacarya katha from the 13th century, religious significance of Parshvanath’s nirvana at Shikharji is further highlighted by a picture of it. Over the ages temples were repaired and restored, the temples’ current structure was given to them by Jagat Seth’s reconstruction in 1768 CE.
Another significant pilgrimage place is the Bhomiyaji temple, which is located at the base of Shikharji. A Jain temple in the neighboring village of Madhuban also has mural paintings illustrating every temple on Parasnath Hill. Acharya Ramchandrasuri established the Svetambara Bhaktamara temple, which is famous for being the first to contain a Bhaktamara Stotra yantra. For Jain devotees, Sammed Shikharji is a very important location because of these artistic and historical aspects. An inscription dated 1678 CE, written in Sanskrit, was also discovered at the site, providing historical context for the temple’s past.
The Trekking Experience:
To reach out at the temple is not just a spiritual journey, it is also the journey of physical energy. The 27-kilometer walk normally begins in Madhuban, a little village at the foothills where tourists take blessings. The whole trek takes almost 6 to 8 hours. The calm atmosphere it provides surrounding birds and rustling greenery. Generally people start trekking early in the morning, to see the mesmerizing views of the beautiful sunrise.
The best time to visit Sammed Shikharji is from October to March, when the weather is favourable. Summer will be hot if you plan to trek and in monsoon the trek will be getting slippery but monsoon also serves the natural beauty moments.
How to reach Sammed Shikharji:
Sammed Shikharji temple is well connected by road, rail and trains. All the transport systems are easily accessible for the visitors. The nearest airport is Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi, 160 kilometres away. From the airport to Madhuban, taxi service will be helpful for the visitors. For those traveling by train, the closest station is Parasnath Railway Station, which is 25 kilometers from Madhuban. Auto and taxis are easily available from railway station too. By road to important towns such as Ranchi, Kolkata, and Patna.
Final Thought:
Every traveler experiences a deep feeling of calm and closer connection with nature, while Jain devotees view it as having the highest spiritual value. The ageless charm of Parasnath Hill ensures a genuinely remarkable experience, regardless of whether you visit for religious purposes or just to take in the peace and quiet of the hills.
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