Parasnath Hill (Marang Buru)

Prelims: History of India| Social Geography of India

Why in news?

Recently, The Jharkhand High Court directed the state government to enforce a pre-existing ban on the consumption and sale of meat, alcohol, and other intoxicants on the hill.

• Parasnath Hill – It is the highest peak (4,478 feet) in Jharkhand.
• Location – Giridih district, Jharkhand
• Dual sacredness – Parasnath hill is considered to be sacred by both the Santal Adivasi and Jain communities.
• Jain significance – Parasnath hill is considered one of the holy pilgrimage sites in Jainism.
• 20 out of 24 Jain Tirthankaras are believed to have attained moksha (liberation) on this hill.
• The hill hosts more than 40 Jain temples and dhams, making it a major site for both the Shwetambar and Digambar sects.
• Santal Adivasi significance – The hill is known as Marang Buru or “Great Mountain” in the Santal tradition.
• It has Jug Jaher Than, the most sacred grove for the Santals—akin to Mecca in spiritual importance.
• It is also the seat of tribal justice, where the Lo Bir Baisi, a council of tribal leaders, meets to resolve major disputes.
• Sendra festival, a three-day ritual hunting festival, is a key Santal tradition practiced on the hill and it is observed annually on the full moon of the Baisakh month (April–May).
• Legal and cultural disputes – The Hill witnessed the conflict between Jains and Santhal from 1911, primarily Jain’s vegetarianism and Santhal’s Sendra festival.
• In 1978, the area was designated as a wildlife sanctuary, leading to restrictions on Adivasi rights and practices.
• In 2023, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change banned the sale and consumption of meat, alcohol, and other intoxicants within a 25-kilometer radius of the hill.
• The Jharkhand High Court upheld this ban in May 2025, directing the state government to enforce it and increase security to ensure compliance.

Reference

The Indian Express| Story of a sacred Jharkhand hill