This time, my trip to Jharkhand was a bit longer than usual. I had decided beforehand that I would not return until I had set foot in each district of the state. I began with Giridih, where Parasnath, one of the most sacred shrines of the Jain community, is located. Parasnath’s history is said to go back 1,775 years. Parasnath, the 23rd Jain Tirthankar, had breathed his last and was buried at this place. That was how it got its name. The cemeteries of 20 of the 24 Jain Tirthankars are located at Parasnath.
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