Parasnath Hill

Parasnath Hill, in Giridih district, is Jharkhand's highest point at 1,365 meters and one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in Jainism — tradition holds that 20 of the religion's 24 Tirthankaras (including Parshvanatha, from whom the hill takes its name) attained moksha (liberation) here, a distinction shared by no other single site in Jain tradition. A complex of temples dots the hill, reached by a genuinely demanding climb undertaken by pilgrims, some using palanquins or ponies for assistance, others making the full ascent on foot as a specific act of devotion. Parasnath Hill suits pilgrims and serious trekkers wanting one of India's most religiously significant climbs — the ascent through Madhuban town at the base takes most of a day, rewarding the physical effort with both temple architecture and wide views over the surrounding Jharkhand countryside from the summit.