Executive Summary: The Anti-Ropeway Consensus
Government notifications in 2019 classified Parasnath Hill as an Eco-Sensitive Zone and tourist destination, clearing the path for commercial resorts, food stalls selling non-vegetarian items, alcohol, and a 5.5 km mechanized aerial ropeway. The Jain community rejected mechanized commercialization because it desecrates ascetic purity, causes severe ecological deforestation, and deprives 10,500 local tribal Doli porters of their ancestral livelihoods.
Socio-Economic Symbiosis: Santhal Tribe & Jain Devotees
Livelihood preservation for over 10,500 registered Doli porters
A corporate mechanized ropeway would have transferred millions in profits to private operators while destroying the livelihood of 10,000+ local tribal families who have peacefully served pilgrims for centuries.
Supreme Ascetic Sacrifices (सल्लेखना बलिदान)
Monastic vows undertaken for the inviolable protection of Shikharji
Pujya Muni Shri 108 Sugyeyasagar Ji Maharaj
Undertook indefinite fast-unto-death (Sallekhana) specifically demanding the revocation of the tourism notification and the preservation of Shikharji’s inviolable sacred status. His supreme sacrifice ignited a national awakening.
Pujya Muni Shri 108 Samarthsagar Ji Maharaj
Followed in the footsteps of Muni Sugyeyasagar Ji, entering voluntary Sallekhana for the defense of the holy mountain, attaining Samadhi shortly after the central government agreed to halt commercial tourism.
Canonical & Archival Proofs of Sanctity
Ancient scripture citations and colonial-era gazetteer records
Citation: Tiloyapannatti (Yativrishabhacharya), Sammet Shikhar Nirvana Adhyaya
Chronicles the exact rock summits (*Kuts*) where each of the 20 Tirthankaras, from Bhagwan Ajitnatha to Bhagwan Parshvanatha, achieved physical emancipation (*Moksha*).
Citation: Hazaribagh District Gazetteer & Bengal High Court Records
Documented that Parasnath Hill was revered as an unpolluted sanctuary by both the local indigenous Santhal tribes and the Jain community, with no commercial slaughter or exploitation.
Judicial & Executive Chronicle (1930 – Present)
Key court orders and government notifications safeguarding Parasnath Hill
Privy Council Landmark Judgment on Parasnath Hill
प्रिवी काउंसिल ऐतिहासिक फैसला (Raja of Palganj v. Digambara Jain Trustees)
Affirmed the sacred religious character of Parasnath Hill and confirmed the customary rights of the Jain community over the mountain peaks and shrines.
Parasnath Wildlife Sanctuary Eco-Sensitive Zone Declaration
पारसनाथ अभयारण्य पर्यावरण-संवेदनशील क्षेत्र अधिसूचना (Gazette Notification S.O. 2795(E))
Clause 3(3) authorized ecotourism infrastructure, hotels, amusement facilities, and mechanized transit, sparking community-wide alarms regarding religious defilement.
Classification of Parasnath as Commercial Tourism Destination
झारखंड पर्यटन नीति २०२२ (Jharkhand Tourism Policy 2022)
Listed Parasnath as a major tourist destination alongside water parks and wildlife safaris, accelerating feasibility plans for a 5.5 km aerial ropeway.
Executive Order Halting All Tourism & Ecotourism on Parasnath Hill
पारसनाथ पर्वत पर समस्त पर्यटन गतिविधियों पर रोक का केंद्रीय आदेश (Office Memorandum F.No. 6-105/2019-WL (Jan 5, 2023))
Immediately stayed Clause 3(3) of the 2019 notification, banned sale of alcohol, meat, loud music, and tourist commercialization, and constituted a joint monitoring committee affirming sacred religious character.
Visiting Shikharji? Check Facilities & Lodging
Tyagi Bhavans, Shuddh Chauka halls, regulated Doli booking counters, and pilgrim stays.