Parasnath station, the way to Shikharji
Parasnath station (code PNME) is at Isri in Giridih district, Jharkhand. It lies on the Asansol–Gaya section of the Grand Chord and belongs to the Dhanbad division of the East Central Railway. The station is the railhead for Parasnath Hill, or Shikharji, Jharkhand's highest peak at 1,365 metres and one of the most important Jain pilgrimage sites in India.
Station history
Parasnath opened in 1906 on the East Indian Railway, and the Gomoh–Koderma sector it lies on was electrified in 1961–62. Today it is graded NSG-3 and stands about 278 metres above sea level. Parking and access for disabled passengers are available.
From the station to the summit
There are two recognised routes up Parasnath Hill:
- Southern approach: from Isri Bazaar or Nimiaghat. About 2 km is motorable, followed by an 8 km climb.
- Northern approach: from Madhuban, on the Dumri–Giridih road, about 10 km from Parasnath station. A 9 km metalled trek route leads to the summit, much of it motorable. Madhuban has several Jain temples, and both Shwetambara and Digambara communities run dharamshalas for pilgrims.
Hired cars and taxis wait at Isri Bazaar just outside the station, and buses between Dumri and Giridih stop at Madhuban.
A new line for pilgrims
To serve Jain pilgrims better, a 49 km Parasnath–Madhuban–Giridih line was included in the 2018–19 Union Budget at a cost of ₹902.86 crore, shared equally by Jharkhand and Indian Railways. The foundation stone was laid in 2019, with two crossing stations and a few halts planned; land acquisition has been the main hurdle.
Frequently asked questions
Which station is nearest to Shikharji?
Parasnath (PNME) at Isri is the railhead for Parasnath Hill and Shikharji.
How far is Madhuban from Parasnath station?
About 10 km.
Find trains to PNME on our train schedule page, or via Dhanbad Junction.