Parasnath railway station

The word Parasnath comes from the 23rd Tirthankara of Jainism, Parshva. Jains refer to the Parasnath Hill as Shikharji, and it is one of the two most prominent Jain pilgrimage centers, the other being Shetrunjaya, in Gujarat.[1] According to Jain belief, twenty of the twenty-four Tirthankaras (teachers of the Jains) attained Moksha (Nirvana) from Shikharji.

Parasnath railway station platform

The Grand Chord was opened in 1906.[2]

The Gomoh–Koderma sector was electrified in 1961–62.[3]

It is a holy place to visit with innumerable temples, shrines, and meditation halls amid natural scenery and wildlife.[1]

There are two recognized routes to Parasnath Hill. The summit of Parasnath Hill can be reached either from the southern or the northern side.[1]

The southern approach is from Isri Bazaar or Nimiaghat, to the top. It is motorable for about 2 km (1.2 mi), the rest being a climb of 8 km (5.0 mi).[1]

The northern approach is a 13 km (8.1 mi) route from Madhuban on the Dumri-Giridih road. Madhuban is about 40 km (25 mi) from Giridih and about 10 km (6.2 mi) from Parasnath Rail Station/ Isri Bazaar/ Dumri, all on Grand Trunk Road (NH 2). Buses ply along this route from Dumri to Giridih and stop at Madhuban village. Hired cars or taxis are available at Isri Bazar, just outside the rail station. There are several Jain temples at Madhuban. There is a metalled trek route of 9 km (5.6 mi) to the summit, a major part of which is motorable.[1]

Both the Shwetambaras and Digambaras have established Dharamshalas or Ashrams here to accommodate the pilgrims to this the first most holy place for travelers from all over the world. The main hill belongs to the Digambara.

Madhupur–Giridih–Koderma line
km to Asansol 138 Madhupur to Jasidih 132 Sugapahari 130 Sugapahari Halt 125 Jagadishpur 121 Krishna Ballabh Sahay Halt 111 0 Maheshmunda 11 Giridih 16 CPC Siding Giridih 104 0 New Giridih Dhanbad–New Giridih line (planned) Dhirabar River 12 Koimara Barakar River 25 Fatehpur 32 Tundi 45 Maharajganj Khudia River 59 Govindpur to Asansol 70 Pradhankhanta to Dhanbad Usri River 96 0 Salaia Parasnath–New Giridih line (planned) 7 Lakhiatanr 14 Kumhartola Barakar River 24 Madhuban 31 Chainpur Halt to Netaji SC Bose Gomoh 38 Parasnath to Koderma 93 Jitpur 86 Kawar 79 Jorasankh Halt 72 Jamua 62 Duriatanr Halt 55 Rema 49 Dhanwar 41 Rakesh Bagh Halt 33 Nawadih 28 Nawal Sahi Halt 20 Maheshpur Halt 10 Koderma Town to Tilaiya (under constr.) 0 Koderma Asansol–Gaya section Koderma–Hazaribagh– Barkakana–Ranchi line km

There are plans from the Railway ministry to connect Parasnath with New Giridih via Madhuban, for the convenience of the Jain pilgrims visiting Shikharji.[4] construction of which was sanctioned and the project included in the Union Budget 2018-19 at a cost of ₹902.86 Crores on a 50:50 cost sharing basis between the Government of Jharkhand and Indian Railways. The foundation stone for construction was laid in 2019. The 49-km long railway line will have two crossing stations and a couple of halts. During the financial year 2022-23, Indian Railways had allotted ₹50 Crores for the above project for early starting of the project. In a land acquisition application submitted to DLAO/Giridih by DyCE/Con/HZME office, ₹78.27 Crores were demanded for Raiyati land of 26 villages and payment for land acquisition is yet awaited for deposition of fund from Government of Jharkhand.[5]

• Shikharji
• Parasnath
• Isri
• Giridih railway station
• New Giridih railway station
• Giridih district

External video
Poorva Express passes Parasnath Hill
Bhubaneswar Rajdhani passes through Parasnath railway station

• Trains passing through Parasnath Station
• Parasnath Hills travel guide from Wikivoyage

Preceding station	Indian Railways			Following station
Nimiaghat towards ?		East Central Railway zone Asansol–Gaya section		Choudhurybandh towards ?