Jainism in Bihar

Author(s): P C Roy Choudhary
Publisher: P C Roy Choudhary Patna

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Dr. Hooker has also given a vivid description of the view of the hill itself in the following words :
"The view from the saddle of the crest was beautiful but the atmosphere too hazy. To the north were ranges of low wooden hills and the course of the Barakar and Ajay rivers; to the south lay a flatter country with lower ranges and the Damodar river, its all but waterless bed snowy white from the exposed granite blocks with which its course is strewn. East and west the several sharp rides of the mountain itself are seen; the western considerably the highest. Immediately below, the mountain flanks appear clothed with impenetrable forest, here and there interrupted by rocky eminence, while to the south the Grand Trunk Road shoots across the plains, like a white thread as straight as an arrow, spanning here and there the beds of the mountain torrents."
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From 1859 to 1862 there was an enquiry to establish a sanitorium at Parasnath. The Old Correspondence Volumes maintained in Hazaribagh Collectorate have several letters showing that the prospects of a sanitorium at Parasnath were being examined. This propasal was for the recouperation of health of the military personnel. The idea of having a rest-centre for the British troops, however, was not pushed through. The Jains lodged a loud protest as the implementation of the idea would have meant a large-scale slaughter of animal for food purposes and the sanctity of the area held sacred by the Jains who are firm believers in 'Ahinsa' would be affected. The remnant of the sanitorium could now be seen in the building used as the Dak Bungalow at the summit of the hill. This building, however, was never used by the Military. It is also understood that the question of the supply of good water in adequate quantity was also an impediment to the idea of a
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