| शिखरजी Shikharji |
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| Coordinates | |
| Country | India |
| State | Jharkhand |
| District(s) | Giridih |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area |
• 1,350 metres (4,430 ft) |
| Jainism | |
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This article is part of a series on Jainism |
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| Anekāntavāda · Syādvāda · Nayavāda · Jain Cosmology · Ahimsa · Karma · Dharma · Nirvana · Kevala Jñāna · Mokṣa · Dravya · Navatattva · Asteya · Aparigraha · Dharma · Gunasthana · Samsara | |
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| The 24 Tirthankaras · Rishabha · Mahavira · Acharya · Ganadhara · Siddhasena Divakara · Haribhadra | |
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| Digambara · Śvētāmbara | |
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| Kalpa Sūtra · Āgama · Tattvartha Sutra · Sanmatti Prakaran | |
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| Namokar Mantra · Parasparopagraho_Jivanam · Jain symbol · Jain flag · Timeline · Topics list | |
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| Mahavir Jayanti · Paryushana · Diwali | |
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Jainism Portal |
Shikharji or Śrī Sammed Śikharjī (श्री सम्मेद शिखरजी), also known as the Parasnath Hill, located in Giridih district in Jharkhand, India, is a major Jain pilgrimage destination and is the most sacred place for Jains in the world. According to Jain belief, twenty of the twenty-four Tirthankaras (teachers of the Jains) attained Moksha (Nirvana) from this place. Parasnath Hill with a height of 1,350 metres (4,430 ft)) make up the highest mountain in the state of Jharkhand.
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Śrī Sammed Śikharjī is surrounded by a deep forest called Madhuvan, and it was hundreds of miles from populated areas until a few centuries ago. Now it is accessible from nearby towns and cities through arterial roads. Motor cars or passenger buses travel along the route from Dumri to Giridih and stop at Madhuban village. The nearest railway station is at Parasnath Station on the Grand Chord. The Jains have provided rest houses and temples at the foot of the hill at Madhuban.
The village Post Office is called Parasnath. On the walls of the mandir at the village of Madhuban, there is a mural painting depicting all the temples on Parasnath Hill. The actual ascent starts from Madhuban. 2 ½ miles from Madhuban, there are two streams, Gandharva Nala and Shital Nala. The Jains hold the portion from Gandharva Nala up to the summit as very sacred. It is easier to reach the hill from its northern side.
There is a dispute over ownership and control between Svetambara and Digambars, the two main sects of Jainism. Nevertheless, Jains of both paths, want to preserve this sacred spot.
The oldest reference to the hills as a holy place is found in the Jñātṛdhārmakātha, one of the twelve texts constituting the canonical core of Jain literature. There the hills are described as the place where Mallinātha, the nineteenth Jina, attained samadhi or meditative concentration. This led to the name Sammed Śikhar, the ‘peak of concentration’, more commonly and simply Śikharji, ‘the venerable peak’. The prominence of the Parasnāth hills as a pilgrimage place and their connection with Pārśvanātha can be traced to the medieval period when reference to them was made in the Pārśvanāthacarita, the biography of Pārśva that enjoyed currency from the 12th century. The development of the hills was probably prompted by the popularity of Vulture Peak in Bihār, the holy mountain connected with the Buddha where his disciple Śāriputra and others are alleged to have attained enlightenment.
Shri Sammed Shikharji attracts pilgrims from across India.
The number of Tirthankars who attained nirvana at Shri Sammet Shikharji is 20. For each of them there is a shrine on the hill.
The hill is also known as Parasnath, a name derived from Parshva, the 23rd Tirthankara who attained Nirvana there. His present temple is not very old, although the idol in the main temple is ancient. The Sanskrit inscriptions at the foot of the images indicate that they were put in the temple in 1678 A.D.
Archaeologists believe some of the existing temple edifices on Parasnath Hill date from 1765 A.D. although the place is of greater antiquity. It is certain that the present edifices replace older edifices, which were demolished. Jain temples are often pulled down and re-built.
Each tirtha (pilgrimage site) represents centuries of devotion, which found expression in temple-building, and to this day are at the centre of pilgrimages and festivals at frequent intervals. Although many of the temples may seem complicated in appearance, each is designed on the principles common to the religious architecture of the late medieval period, the elaborations being due to such factors as the addition of supplementary shrines, second stories, and adding pillared cloisters around all the larger examples. One variation unique to Jain temples is the frequent production of a class of temple known as chaumukh, or four-faced.
There is a Temple of Bhomiyaji at the start of the Hills (Termed as Taleti) and it is said that once you bow your head at this temple and start the journey towards the top of the hill, there is no way you can be mislead in the journey. The moment you forget the way, there will be Dogs who will guide you the way and will soon disappear fast once you are back on track.
Acharya shri Jaikunjar suri ji and Shri Muktiprabh suri ji has spared 5 years in east India. they have done a fabulous work to guide about Jain pilgrims, facilities and Temple renovations. Total 36 Different shwetamber jain sangh including Tap, Khattar and other Guchha has given them "purva bharat tirhodharak".Both the acharyas belongs to Shri Ramchandra Surishwerji samuday.
Under the guidance of Jain 'Acharya Shri Kirtiyash Suri Ji', a huge Shweamar Jain Mandir is under way in Shikharji Taleti. there are 24 tirthankar and 24 Mandir will be constracted and it will be lifetime achievement. The area surrounding the sacred hills is inhabited by tribals called Bheels. They live in deplorable conditions and about 85% population is living below poverty line. Hence to make ends meet, they sometimes are forced to resort to methods which demean the sanctity of this sacred spiritual place.
Understanding the need to improve the situation of tribals in order to restore the safety and sanctity of this place, a renowned Jain Saint Muni Praman Sagar has started various initiatives with the name Sevayatan. These initiatives are aimed at making the tribals self-sufficient for their sustenance, improving their living conditions (hygiene, safe drinking water, medical aid, etc.) and providing them access to free education. Largely with the help of donations received from the Jain pilgrims, livestock is being distributed to the poor families, free (adult and child) education, free medical facilities, electricity, organic-agriculture training, yoga training etc. are being provided to the tribals.
Following are temples at Shikharji. The actual temples are not numbered; hence there may be minor differences in the numbering of temples in various guidebooks and literature. The following numbering is based on the guidance provided by the local Shikharji resident supervisor.
Most Jain sects have traditionally supported construction of temples and tirths (pilgrimage places) and are known to build temples even if there is a small Jain population to support it. Replication of major tirth's in such places is considered an auspicious and worthwhile endeavor. Many temples in India, such as Dadabari in New Delhi, have small, not-to-scale replicas of Shikharji. A complete to-scale replica is planned in Siddhachalam in USA upon discovery that its layout has close similarities to the layout of Shikharji's tonks and Jal Mandir.
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