Shikharji

Shikharji or Śrī Sammeta Śikharjī (श्री सम्मेत शिखरजी), also known as the Parasnath Hills, located near Giridih, in Jharkhand state, India, is a major Jain pilgrimage destination and one of the most sacred places 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.

Geography

Śrī Sammeta 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 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 Sita 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. In spite of this dispute, Jains want to preserve this sacred spot.

History

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 Sammet 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.

Significance to Jainism

Shri Sammet 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, an early Jain leader, held to be 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.

Recent developments

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 life time 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.

Tirthankaras attaining Nirvana at Shri Sammet Shikharji

#Shri Ajitnath Ji] #Shri [[Sambhavanath Ji #Shri Abhinandannath Ji #Shri Sumatinath Ji #Shri Padmaprabha Ji #Shri Suparshvanath Ji #Shri Chandraprabha Ji #Shri Suvidhinath Ji #Shri Sheetalnath Ji #Shri Shreyansanath Ji #Shri Vimalnath Ji #Shri Anantnath Ji #Shri Dharmanath Ji #Shri Shantinath Ji #Shri Kunthunath Ji #Shri Aranath Ji #Shri Mallinath Ji #Shri Munisuvrata Ji #Shri Neminath ji #Shri Parshva Ji # One can also pay a visit to Palganj Ji, which is just 12 km away from Madhuban (place from where this journey begins). This temple has a sculpture of Shri Parasnath Bhagwan which was from 4th Century, also the priest of the temple narrates story about this temple which is worth to listen.

Shikharji temples

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.

#Shri Gautam Swami (Ghandhar) #Shri Kunthunath Prabhu (17th Tirthankar) #Shashvat Jin Shri Rishbhanan Prabhu #Shashvat Jin Chandranan Prahbu #Shri Naminath Prabhu (21st Tirthankar) #Shri Arnath Prahbu (18th Tirthankar) #Shri Mallinath Prabhu (19th Tirthankar) #Shri Shreyansnath Prabhu (11th Tirthankar) #Shri Suvidhinath Prabhu (9th Tirthankar) #Shri Padam Prabhu (6th Tirthankar) #Shri Munisuvrat Prabhu (20th Tirthankar) #Shri Chandrah Prabhu (8th Tirthankar) #Shri Adinath Prabhu (1st Tirthankar) #Shri Anantnath Prabhu (14th Tirthankar) #Shri Sheetalnath Prabhu (10th Tirthankar) #Shri Sambhavnath Prabhu ( 3rd Tirthankar) #Shri Vasupujya Prabhu (12th Tirthankar) #Shri Abhinandan Prabhu ( 4th Tirthankar) #Shri Shubh Swami Ghandhar #Jal Mandir #Shri Dharamnath Prabhu (15th Tirthankar) #ShashvatJin Shri Vardhman Prabhu #ShashvatJin Shri Varishen Prabhu #Shri Sumatinath Prabhu (5th Tirthankar) #Shri Shantinath Prabhu (16th Tirthankar) #Shri Mahavir Prabhu (24th Tirthankar) #Shri SuParshavnath Prabhu (7th Tirthankar) #Shri Vimalnath Prabhu (13th Tirthankar) #Shri Ajitnath Prabhu (2nd Tirthankar) #Shri Neminath Prabhu (22nd Tirthankar) #Shri Parshavnath Prabhu (23rd Tirthankar)

Shikharji replication

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.

External links

Shikharji Tonks description

Parasnath

Giridih

Bhartiya Jain Milan

A short video

Category:Jain temples and tirthas Category:Buildings and structures in Jharkhand Category:Tourism in Jharkhand