Parasnath Hills
Discover Parasnath Hills
This range is one of the most important pilgrimage centres for Jains. They call it Sammed Sikharji. The hill is named after Parasnath, the 23rd Tirthankara. Twenty of the twenty-four Jain Tirthankaras attained salvation on this hill. According to some, nine Tirthakaras attained salvation on this hill. For each of them there is a shrine (gumti or tuk) on the hill. Some of the temples on the hill are believed to be more than 2,000 years old. However, although the place has been inhabited from ancient times, the temples may be of more recent origin. The Santhals call it Marang Buru, the hill of the deity. They celebrate a hunting festival on the full moon day in Baisakh (mid April).
What to Experience in Parasnath Hills
Taste of Parasnath Hills...
There are small eateries, where vegetarian food is available. The Jains have provided rest houses at the foot of the hill at Madhuban. The food is strictly vegetarian at these places. Non-vegetarian food, even if brought from outside, is not allowed.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsBest time to visit is from October to March when the weather is pleasant. Parasnath Hill is on Grand Trunk Road NH 2.The nearby place for reaching Parasnath is Ranchi 190 km, Bokaro 40 km, Jhumri Tileya 80 km Dhanbad 60 km and Hazaribagh 80 km Parashnath station on the Howrah-Delhi grand chord line is the base for a visit to Parashnath. The adjacent town is called Isri or Isri Bazar. It has got some Jain dharmashalas. There is a Dak Bungalow at Dumri about a mile from the station. There is small station at Nimiaghat from where also Parasnath Hill is accessible, but the said route is not the popular one, people only travel by this route once a year. Best is to take 36 seat bus/rental car from Isri Bazar for Madhuban and the metalled trek route of 9 km to Shikharji (Parashnath). Almost all the major trains running on The Grand Chord line (Delhi to Kolkata) stop at Parasnath station....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The summit of Parasnath Hill can be reached either from the southern or the northern side. There are two recognized routes to Parasnath Hill. The southern approach is from Isri Bazaar, to the top, is motorable for about 2 km, the rest being a climb of 8 km. The northern approach is a 13 km route from Madhuban village on the Dumri-Giridih road. Madhuban is about 40 km from Giridih and about 10 km from Parasnath rail station/ Isri Bazaar/ Dumri, all on Grand Trunk Road (NH 2). Buses ply along this route from Dumri to Giridih and stop at Madhuban village. Hired cars or taxis are available at Isri Bazar, just outside the rail station. There are a number of Jain temples at Madhuban. After 3.5 km from Madhuban there is a stream called Gandharva nala and further up there is another stream Sita nala. The Jains hold the portion from Gandharva nala up to the summit as very sacred. It is easier to reach Parasnath from its northern side.
Where to Stay
The Jains have provided rest houses at the foot of the hill at Madhuban. The food is strictly vegetarian at these places. Non-vegetarian food, even if brought from outside, is not allowed.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Parasnath Hills
Parasnath Temple
A monkey with a red face sits outdoors.
Sunset over silhouetted mountain peaks at dusk.
Silhouette of mountains against a gradient sky
Misty mountains under a clear blue sky
A drone flies against a clear blue sky
Silhouette of a person watching the sunset over mountains.
Misty mountain peak with blue sky above
Sunrise over a misty mountain range with trees.
Golden sunset over misty mountains with silhouetted trees.
Parasnath Temple
A monkey with a red face sits outdoors.
Sunset over silhouetted mountain peaks at dusk.