The Jain community across the country have been demanding to overturn the Jharkhand government decision declaring Sammed Sikharji at Parasnath Parvat (hill) in Giridih district, as a tourist spot which was earlier a a “place of pilgrimage”. They feel that this decision could change the demographic of visitors to Sammed Sikharji.
Key points
- The protesters demand that the Jharkhand government revoke its decision to promote Parasnath Parvat as a part of ecotourism or any kind of tourism.
- They feel this will disrupt the sanctity of the hill dotted with temples. Jains have petitioned the Prime Minister, urging him to press the State to with- draw its decision.
- Additionally, the National Commission for Minorities wrote to the Jharkhand Chief Secretary in December 2022 taking cognisance of the representation from the Jain community to give the hill a “holy status”.
About Sammed Sikharji
- Sammed Sikharji, or just Sikharji, stands 1,350 metres tall, and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for the Jains.
- It is believed that 20 of the 24 Tirthankaras (enlightened beings) attained moksha (salvation) here.
- The hill itself is named after Parasnath, the 23rd Tirthankara. Every year thousands of Jain pilgrims from across the world undertake a 27 km long trek to reach the summit.
- According to beliefs of the Jain community, Shikharji is ranked with Ashtapad, Girnar, Dilwara Temples of Mount Abu and Shatrunjaya as the ‘Svetambara Pancha Tirth’ or the five principal pilgrimage shrines.
