Parasnath, also known as Shikharji or Sammed Shikhar, rises majestically from Jharkhand’s Giridih district, a verdant hill revered as one of India’s most significant holy places. Its forests echo with legends, its summit hosts the hopes of millions, and its slopes play witness to a longstanding contest over culture, faith, and rights. This article comprehensively explores Parasnath’s history, biodiversity, the routes pilgrims take, and especially the evolving conflict that shapes life on the hill today.
Hill of Many Names
Standing at 1,350 meters, Parasnath is the highest peak in Jharkhand and a major pilgrimage for the Jain community, where 20 of the 24 Tirthankaras are believed to have attained moksha (salvation). But Parasnath is also Marang Buru to the Adivasi Santal people, their “Great Mountain” and axis of their traditional spirituality. This intersection of faiths and the state’s aspirations for development has turned Parasnath into a flashpoint for broader debates about religious rights, indigenous identity, and sustainable tourism.
Key Details:
Notes
Highlights include: spiritual significance, rich biodiversity, adventure, and cultural importance.
Total trek distance, including the circuit of temples, can be up to 27 km (up and down/round trip).
Peak pilgrimage seasons (March, July-August, Diwali) see crowded accommodations, predominantly managed by Jain trusts.
Historical and Spiritual Significance
Jain Reverence
Jains consider Shikharji the holiest site after Palitana in Gujarat. The Parasnath Hill’s name is derived from Lord Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara, who is said to have achieved nirvana here. Ancient shrines – some possibly over 2,000 years old – dot the hills. The pilgrimage involves a trek of over 20 kilometres to cover tonks (shrines) marking where each Tirthankara reached liberation.
Adivasi Heritage
For centuries before the rise of Jainism in the region, Santals and other Adivasi groups held the hills as sacred. As Marang Buru (“Great Mountain”), Parasnath is central to their clan rituals, festivals, and beliefs in nature spirits. Their annual ceremonies, including hunting and sacrifice, keep their bond with the land alive.
Shared Sanctity, Overlapping Claims
Unlike sites with a single religious tradition, Parasnath’s sacredness has evolved as multiple communities claim connection to its soil – each with distinct rituals and interpretations. This overlapping sanctity lies at the heart of modern disputes.
Natural Beauty and Biodiversity
Wildlife Sanctuary
Surrounding Parasnath is a 49.33 square kilometre wildlife sanctuary, sheltering leopards, sloth bears, deer, nilgai, wild boar, langurs, and abundant birdlife. Dense forests with ferns, orchids, and lichens make it a botanist’s and trekker’s paradise.
Scenic Treks
The ascent weaves through ancient forests, sacred streams, and panoramic vistas. Whether climbing from Isri Bazaar or Madhuban, every step is framed by stories of pilgrim monks, Santal spirit guides, and battles for the right to worship.
Reaching Parasnath
- By Air: Ranchi (103 km) and Gaya (117 km) are the nearest airports.
- By Rail: Parasnath Railway Station (PNME) links to major cities and is closest to the Madhuban trek starting point.
- By Road: The hill is accessible by NH 2 and local roads from Bokaro, Hazaribagh, Dhanbad, and beyond.
The two main routes – from Isri Bazaar (south, steeper) and Madhuban (north, popular with pilgrims) – offer different trekking experiences.
The Current Conflict: Faith, Identity, and Development
Tourism vs. Sanctity
Tensions accelerated in recent years when the Jharkhand government, citing potential for tourism development and regional growth, moved to declare Parasnath an “eco-tourism site.” The Jain community mobilised nationwide, fearing commercialisation could damage the hill’s sanctity. They argued for legal recognition of Shikharji as an inviolable site of worship under the Places of Worship Act.
Adivasi Rights and Cultural Expression
Adivasi groups, particularly Santals, protested both the imposition of Jain-centric rules (bans on alcohol, non-vegetarian food, animal sacrifice) and the government’s approach, which in their view threatened their traditional access and ceremonies. Their annual Baha, hunting festivals, and sacrifices clash with Jain tenets of strict vegetarianism and non-violence.
Legal and Political Resolutions
- In January 2023, following heated nationwide protests, the central government suspended all eco- and general tourism activities, affirming the need to preserve Shikharji’s sanctity for Jains.
- These prohibitions, however, bar Adivasi rituals, causing the Santals to demand restoration of their practices and recognition of Marang Buru.
- The dispute escalated to the courts, with petitions seeking protection of Jain rituals while Adivasi groups rallied for cultural rights.
- The Jharkhand High Court formed a committee, including representatives from both sides, to seek a compromise and recommend solutions.
Impact on Local Communities
- Local traders and Santal people faced hardship as bans on meat, alcohol, and certain festival practices disrupted traditional livelihoods and cultural routines.
- At the same time, increased recognition of Parasnath’s importance has brought intermittent economic opportunities during festival seasons and pilgrimages.
Paths Forward: Seeking Harmony
Scholars and activists suggest coexistence is possible:
- Assigning separate zones or times for different community rituals.
- Developing visitor education to highlight the area’s diverse heritage.
- Clear communication and agreed protocols overseen by a local committee.
- Ensuring tourism development respects both indigenous rights and religious traditions.
- Including affected communities, especially tribals, in benefit-sharing arrangements when and if tourism develops.
Both the state and central governments have expressed willingness to honour all faiths, but implementation requires ongoing dialogue, trust building, and genuine power sharing.
FAQs about Parasnath/Shikharji Hill
Why is Parasnath Hill important to both Jains and Santals?
Parasnath is Shikharji, where 20 Jain Tirthankaras attained moksha, making it the most sacred pilgrimage in their faith. For the Santals, it is Marang Buru, the “Great Mountain” at the heart of their traditional spirituality and rituals.
What is the main cause of current disputes at Parasnath?
The core of the conflict is the contest between the Jain community’s demand for exclusive, vegetarian, non-violent worship and the Santals’ fight for continued access to their ancestral rituals, including practices banned under conservation and Jain regulations. Tourism development proposals by the state, if insensitive, can further fuel tensions.
Has the government taken steps to resolve the dispute?
Yes. In response to nationwide Jain protests, the central government suspended tourism activities and placed restrictions in line with Jain practice; meanwhile, Santals began advocating for recognition and restoration of their own ritual rights. Ongoing court proceedings and committee deliberations seek a compromise.
What is allowed and what is restricted on Parasnath Hill?
Currently, bans exist on meat, eggs, alcohol, and activities viewed as conflicting with Jain beliefs. Animal sacrifice and ritual hunting by Adivasis are restricted. Pilgrimage, trekking, and visitation for both faiths continue, but ceremonies are closely monitored by authorities.
How can pilgrims and tourists reach Parasnath?
By train (via Parasnath station), by road from major cities via NH 2, or by air to nearby Ranchi or Gaya. The two main trekking routes start from Isri Bazaar (south) and Madhuban (north), the latter being more popular with pilgrims.
Are there efforts for more inclusive or sustainable management?
Plans are under discussion to form inclusive multi-stakeholder committees, educate visitors about both Jain and Santal heritage, and balance environmental conservation with inclusive access. Eco- and religious-tourism proposals must respect rights and sensitivities on both sides.
What is the significance of Shikharji’s wildlife sanctuary?
The sanctuary preserves rare Eastern Indian flora and fauna, with lush forests home to many animal species. It is a resource for researchers, nature lovers, and communities dependent on forest resources, making conservation another dimension of the site’s management.
When is the best time to visit Parasnath for pilgrimage or nature exploration?
The best months are October to March, when the weather remains pleasant. However, please check local notifications, as access may change due to religious festivals, ongoing legal disputes, or conservation rulings.
Conclusion
Parasnath’s twin identity, as Shikharji to Jains and Marang Buru to Santals, is both its treasure and its challenge. In a rapidly changing India, it is a microcosm of the nation’s struggle to hold the sacred and the secular, tradition and modernity, development and diversity in fragile balance. Its story is not merely of faith or tourism, but of the rights of indigenous peoples, the ways belief shapes land, and the quest for a harmony that can do justice to every soul who calls “the great hill” home.
