Shikharji

Shikharji, also known as Sammed Shikharji, is a major Jain pilgrimage site situated atop Parasnath Hill in the Giridih district of Jharkhand, India. It is one of Jainism’s most sacred places, revered across different Jain traditions.

According to Jain tradition, twenty of the twenty-four Tirthankaras attained moksha at this hill, giving Shikharji its central role in devotional practice and ritual networks. The site hosts a cluster of temples and shrines dedicated to various Tirthankaras and Jain saints, with the main temple located on or near the summit.

Pilgrims climb to the hill along routes that pass through chaityas, meditation halls, and monastic cells. The trek is a significant aspect of the pilgrimage experience, and visits are common during major Jain festivals and auspicious days.

Shikharji functions as a religious hub, a place of ascetic practice, and a focus of regional Jain heritage. It is maintained by the local Jain community, which provides facilities for darshan, puja, and pilgrimage logistics while preserving its sacred status.