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Chapter 17
PILGRIMAGE IN INDIA
IN EASTERN India there is a state called Bihar.
Abhaybhai, Karunaben and the family went to the state of Bihar where there is a famous Jain place of pilgrimage called Sammetshikhar. Ajay asked, "Why is this place considered important for Jains?"
Abhaybhai replied, "We have 24 Tirthankars. You know their names now. Twenty out of these 24 Tirthankars have attained nirvana on top of this hill. That is why this is a very sacred place."
The next day, early in the morning, they started climbing the steps of the hill. They had to walk six miles while climbing, six miles within the mountain range and six miles while going down. In all they walked 18 miles whilst climbing some difficult steps.
However, the whole family was happy. First they went to Gautam Swami's temple, then to Jal-Mandir (a temple in the middle of a small lake) and then they went to Parshvanath temple.
Abhaybhai said, "Lord Parshvanath, our 23rd Tirthankar, attained nirvana on this place. Therefore this mountain is also called Parasnath Hill."
Ajay was very pleased to see the beautiful scenery on the mountain. Neela and Rekha enjoyed the glorious view from the
ountain. Their hearts were full of devotion and joy; they wished that they could go there again in the near future,
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