Parasnath (Shikharji) itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Parasnath

1. 01

   Day 1: Early climb to the first tonks

   Arrive in Madhuban the evening before if you can. Pray at the Bhomiyaji temple before the walk, leave between 3 and 4 am and climb to Gautam Swami's tonk at the central junction. Visit the nearer tonks, rest, eat the food you carried, and return the same day. Most visitors on a single day see only part of the circuit, and families with elders often go by doli. The full 27 km circuit takes about 12 hours for a fit adult.

Plan 02

2 days in Parasnath

1. 01

   Day 1: Arrive and prepare

   Reach Madhuban by afternoon, check into a dharamshala and visit the Bhomiyaji temple and the town's other temples. Arrange a doli for anyone who needs one, pack food, water, torch and stick, and sleep early.

2. 02

   Day 2: The yatra

   Start before dawn and walk or ride up to Gautam Swami's tonk, then follow the ridge east and west, taking in the Jal Mandir and ending at the Parasnath tonk if you are able. Walk down in daylight and eat at your dharamshala. Leave the next morning only if you are rested.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Parasnath Tonk (Tonk 31)	30 to 60 minutes at the shrine	Demanding	Late morning on the circuit; November to February

   Pace: Parasnath Tonk (Tonk 31) involves a lot of walking or steps — do it early, and keep the rest of the day light.

   With parents at Parasnath Tonk (Tonk 31): The tonk is at the far end of the ridge, so seniors reach it by doli or after hours of steady walking. The shrine has steps and little space to rest; the descent afterwards is described as easier.

Plan 03

3 days in Parasnath

1. 01

   Day 1: Madhuban

   Arrive, settle in, and visit the temples of Madhuban at an easy pace, including the Bhomiyaji temple and the Jain museum. Arrange your doli and eat a simple early dinner at the dharamshala bhojanshala.

2. 02

   Day 2: The Shikharji yatra

   Leave between 3 and 4 am for the full parikrama, or the part of it your group can manage. Carry your own food; there are no meal facilities on the hill. Go to the Jal Mandir and, if you can, the Parasnath tonk on the highest peak, then descend by the easier path.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Parasnath Tonk (Tonk 31)	30 to 60 minutes at the shrine	Demanding	Late morning on the circuit; November to February

   Pace: Parasnath Tonk (Tonk 31) involves a lot of walking or steps — do it early, and keep the rest of the day light.

   With parents at Parasnath Tonk (Tonk 31): The tonk is at the far end of the ridge, so seniors reach it by doli or after hours of steady walking. The shrine has steps and little space to rest; the descent afterwards is described as easier.

3. 03

   Day 3: Rest and departure

   Rest. Visit any temples you missed, or spend the morning in quiet. Take the transfer to Parasnath station or onward by road in the afternoon, leaving a comfortable buffer before your train.

Read before you go

Guides for the stops on these routes

Pacing

Pacing a Parasnath (Shikharji) trip for parents and children

• Plan the yatra with a rest day before and after, and consult a doctor first if anyone has heart, blood-pressure or knee problems.
• Arrange dolis in Madhuban the day before and agree the price, route and return in advance; keep a companion with the passenger.
• Carry your own food, water and a light shawl; the hill has no meal facilities and the ridge is cold before dawn in winter.
• Wear well-fitting, broken-in shoes or go barefoot only if you are used to it; carry a stick for the descent.
• Visit only the nearer tonks if that is what the group can manage; the full 27 km circuit is not required for a meaningful visit.
• Carry a torch, as the route has no lighting, and keep to the paved track in the dark.

Parasnath (Shikharji) with elderly parents: the full guide →