Jain community demands 'official' status for 'Parasnath Hill'

Members of the Jain community have demanded the Centre to declare the 'Parasnath Hill' in Jharkhand as the community's official place of worship.

Shikharji in Giridih district of Jharkhand is located on the Parasnath hill, the highest mountain in the state. It is the most important Jain Tirtha (pilgrimage site) for the Jains, believed to be the place where 20 of the 24 Jain tirthankaras along with many other monks attained Moksha (salvation).

The 'Save Shikharji' campaign is being run by an NGO, Jyot and has received support from the Jain diaspora across the globe.

"Shikharji Hill, the most revered hill for Jains, is a place where 20 of 24 Tirthankaras performed their ultimate sadhana and achieved nirvana. This entire hill is charged by the reverberations emanating from the top-most purified souls having unparallel resolute and determination, making it every inch sacred. It is now impossible to re-create such sanctity," an official statement said.

"What distinguishes India from the rest of the world is its rich religious and cultural heritage. MahaTirths like Shikharji are the epitome of the spiritual wealth of religiously prolific India. Hampering the purity of such places is no less than sabotaging the pride of our nation," it said.

A delegation from the Jain community had also recently met Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das with regard to the matter.

(With inputs from agencies.)