The Mountain of Liberation
Parasnath Hill, at 1,365 metres the highest peak in Jharkhand, is the single most sacred site in Jainism — tradition holds that 23 of the 24 Tirthankaras (enlightened teachers) attained final liberation (moksha) here, more than at any other location on earth. The hill takes its name from Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara, whose own liberation here is commemorated by the principal temple at the summit.
The pilgrimage to Parasnath is physically demanding: a roughly 27 km round trip on foot up steep forested paths, dotted with marble temples (Tonks) marking each Tirthankara's precise spot of liberation. Devout Jain pilgrims undertake the climb as an act of profound spiritual discipline, often beginning before dawn to complete the full circuit of all temples in a single day — a tradition of endurance and devotion that has continued for over a thousand years.
