Shikharji

Also Sammed Shikhar

The most significant pilgrimage site in the tradition: twenty of the twenty-four Tirthankaras are held to have attained liberation here.

A ridge of some thirty shrines along the highest hill in Jharkhand, walked as a circuit of roughly twenty-seven kilometres, traditionally barefoot and begun before dawn.

Both traditions regard it as the foremost tirtha, which is unusual — most sites are claimed more strongly by one than the other. The reason is simple: twenty of the twenty-four are held to have been liberated here, and that is not a disputed count.

Worth knowing

• The full circuit takes most of a day; many pilgrims begin around two in the morning.

For opening times and access, check the temple's own announcements — they change, and we would rather list nothing than send you to a closed door.

Written for Jain Times. Corrections are welcome — see sources and licences.