Parasnath railway station

Parasnath railway station, station code PNME, is on the Asansol–Gaya section of the Grand Chord and serves the town of Isri in Giridih district in the Indian state of Jharkhand. The Parasnath Hill or Shikharji, located nearby, with a height of 1,365 m (4,478 ft) is the highest mountain in the state of Jharkhand.

Parasnath
Indian Railways station
Parasnath railway station signboard
Location	Isri, Giridih, Jharkhand  India
Coordinates	23°59′16″N 86°02′15″E
Elevation	332 metres (1,089 ft)
Owned by	Indian Railways
Operated by	East Central Railway
Line(s)	Asansol–Gaya section of Howrah–Gaya–Delhi line and Howrah–Allahabad–Mumbai line
Platforms	5
Construction
Structure type	Standard on ground station
Parking	Yes
Bicycle facilities	No
Other information
Status	Functioning
Station code	PNME
Division(s)	Dhanbad
History
Opened	1906
Electrified	1961–62
Previous names	East Indian Railway
Location
Parasnath railway station Location in Jharkhand

Dhanbad–Koderma line
km to Asansol–Gaya section of the Grand Chord 56 Koderma to Hazaribagh & Barkakana to Giridih & Madhupur 8 Hirodih 16 Samatanr 21 Jadudih 25 Parsabad Barakar River 36 Chaube 47 Hazaribagh Road 57 Chichaki 65 Chaudhuribandh 74 Parasnath Parasnath Hill 1350 m 1476 yd NH 2 (Grand Trunk Road) 82 Nimiaghat 92 Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Gomoh to Barkakana and Hatia 101 Matari 106 Nichitpur to Katrasgarh ( Jharia Coalfield rail network ) 112 Tetulmari 117 Bhuli halt to Jharia ( Jharia Coalfield rail network ) 121 Dhanbad to Asansol–Gaya section of the Grand Chord km
Sources: Google maps Indian Railway Time Table (Indiarailinfo) Hatia-Bardhaman Passenger 53062 Gomoh-Barkakana Passenger 461EC

Jain temples on Shikharji or Parasnath Hills

Etymology

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.

History

Parasnath railway station platform

The Grand Chord was opened in 1906.[2]

Electrification

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

Shikharji

It is a holy place to visit with innumerable temples, shrines and meditation halls in the midst of 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 a number of 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.

Further extension

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 Lakhiatar Halt 14 Kumhar Tola Barakar River 24 Madhuban 31 Chainpur Halt to Koderma 38 Parasnath to Netaji SC Bose Gomoh 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 station with New Giridih via Madhuban, for the convenience of the Jain pilgrims visiting Shikharji.[4] The foundation for the construction of new Parasnath–New Giridih rail line was laid in 2019. The 47-km long railway line would incur a cost of Rs 972 crore on its construction and will have two crossing stations and a couple of halts. The cost of the project would be borne by the central and the state government in 50:50 ratio and a target has been set to complete the project by 2023.

References

1. "Parashnath". Hindu Books. Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
2. "IR History – Part III (1900-1947)". IRFCA. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
3. "History of Electrification". IRFCA. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
4. "Giridih lauds Didi's budget – 'Madhuban link a blessing'". The Telegraph. Calcutta. 5 July 2009. Retrieved 31 March 2012.

External links

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		East Central Railway zone Asansol–Gaya section		Choudhurybandh