Sammed Shikharji

When you reach Sammed Shikharji, you stand before the holiest Tirtha of the Jain faith. This sacred hill, also called Shikharji, rises green and tall in the Giridih district of Jharkhand. Devotees believe that twenty of the twenty four Tirthankaras attained moksha here. Pilgrims climb the hill with deep devotion, chanting and praying at each holy tonk along the way. For every Jain family, and for our devotees coming from abroad, this yatra stays in the heart for the rest of your life.

Sammed Shikharji, or Shikharji, is a sacred hill in the Giridih district of Jharkhand. It stands on Parasnath hill, the highest peak in the state. It is the most revered Tirtha of the Jain faith, as devotees believe that twenty of the twenty four Tirthankaras attained moksha here. The hill holds many small shrines, called tonks, spread along the pilgrim path. Pilgrims of both the Digambar and Shwetambar traditions come here in large numbers.

October to March

The main act of the yatra is the parikrama, the holy walk over the hill. The long path climbs high, passing many tonks where devotees honour a Tirthankara. Pilgrims begin very early, often before sunrise, and walk with prayer in their hearts. The Jal Mandir and the many shrines along the way are places of deep feeling. When you reach the highest tonk, you feel great joy and peace.

Sammed Shikharji has stood as the supreme Tirtha of the Jain faith for a very long time. Because devotees believe that so many Tirthankaras attained moksha here, it holds the highest place in Jain pilgrimage. Pilgrims from all over India and the world come to walk this holy hill. The town of Madhuban lives around this faith, and its temples and people carry a gentle and pure spirit that stays with you.

Being the highest Jain Tirtha, Madhuban and its dharamshalas serve pure vegetarian sattvik food, cooked in the Jain way without onion and garlic. The meals are simple, fresh and full of care. Rice, dal, rotis and vegetables form the usual food. For the long climb, you should carry water and light sattvik snacks for the journey.

Madhuban is a pilgrim town, so shopping is devotional and simple. You can buy prayer books, idols, prayer beads and pictures of the Tirthankaras near the temples. Some shops sell items you need for puja and for the yatra. It is best to buy from the local shops that serve the pilgrims.

The nearest railway station is Parasnath, on the main Delhi to Kolkata line, and trains stop here often. Madhuban, the base town, is a short drive from the station. The nearest airports are at Deoghar, Ranchi and Kolkata. You do the parikrama itself on foot. Elders and those who cannot walk the full path may use a doli, a carried chair, arranged by local helpers.

At the foot of the hill, the town of Madhuban is the base for the yatra. It has many Jain temples, dharamshalas and museums that tell the story of the Tirthankaras. The temples of Madhuban are beautiful and calm, and pilgrims visit them before and after the climb. The whole area stays green and quiet, wrapped in a holy feeling.

Madhuban (at the base): The pilgrim town with many Jain temples and rest houses. Giridih (about 25 km.): The nearest district town with markets and stations. Isri Bazaar (about 15 km.): A small town on the way, with shops and lodging. Deoghar (about 100 km.): A holy town famous for the Baidyanath temple.

The parikrama is long and steep, so prepare well, wear soft comfortable shoes and carry water. Start very early to finish before the day grows hot. Please keep the holy hill clean and green, as pilgrims are asked to protect this sacred place. Move with quiet devotion and respect the customs of both Jain traditions.