Shikharji at Siddhachalam
Picture shows the Tonk of Shri Munisuvrat Swamji (Tonk #11) within the forested segment of Shikharji at Siddhachalam
Shikharji in Jharkhand, India, is the most important place of pilgrimage for Jains. Here, 20 of our 24 Tirthankars of the current avasarpini attained moksha.
The idea of teerth darshan was envisioned by Guruji when Siddhachalam was founded. However, the discovery in 2009 by Jaipat Singh Jain, Siddhachalam’s president, that the layout of Siddhachalam’s 120-acre land substantially mirrors the layout of the Tonks atop Shikharji energized the community to undertake the ambitious task of replicating it.
Shikharji at Siddhachalam was made possible by the support of more than 1,181 donors, the blessings of 161 gachhadhipatis, acharyas, other sadhugarn and sadhvijis of all Jain sects, and by the auspicious presence of Acharyashri Roop Chandji MS, Munishri Amrinderji MS, Munishri Manakji MS, Gurudev Chitrabhanuji, Bhattarak Charukeerthiji, Sadhvishri Shubhamji, Samani Sanmati Pragyaji, Samani Shukla Pragyaji, Samani Jayant Pragyaji and Shasan Ratna Manoj Babulal Haran under the leadership of the Trustees with the tireless work of the volunteers and staff of Siddhachalam Jain Tirth. Several vidhi-vidhan leaders engaged in performing the ceremonies associated with the dedication of a teerth.
Project Timeline
The project to replicate Teerthadhiraj Shikharji at Siddhachalam began in early 2009. It was announced to the community on the auspicious occasion of Bhagwaan Mahavira’s Janm Kalyanak on April 26, 2009. Shikharji at Siddhachalam was opened to the world on August 13, 2012. Between these dates were held several events, including Bhoomi Pujan & Khanan (2010), Shilanyas (2011 and 2012) and Pratishtha (2012).
Overview of Shikharji at Siddhachalam
A yatra of all Tonks commencing and closing at Ganadhar Shri Gautam Swami’s Tonk (Tonk #1) is approx. 5.6 miles (9 km.) in Shikharji and 1.97 miles (3.2 km.) in Siddhachalam.
The Shikharji at Siddhachalam Tonk is similar to a typical Tonk at Shikharji in terms of size and shape. However, certain Tonks at Shikharji, such as that of Shri Parsvanath Prabhu, Shri Suvidhinath Prabhu and Shri Gautam Swami are markedly different from others. Some differences evolved over time.
The Tonks of Shikharji at Siddhachalam face in the same direction as in Shikharji. There are many other points of interesting comparison. For more details, please visit From Shikharji to Siddhachalam.
Early Research
Many volunteers undertook extensive research and survey of Shikharji, including Vivek Jain, Jaipat Singh Jain, Rashmi Jain, Pardeep Sharma, and Megha Jain, with help from Maps of India, a cartographer, in order to map Teerthadhiraj Shikharji and establish the latitude, longitude, altitude, direction, dimensions, etc. of the various Tonks and the charan-kamal dedicated there.
A survey of the various Tonks of Shikharji by Vivek Jain was published by Siddhachalam in 2009 along with a map of Shikharji. That map was likely the most authoritative map of Shikharji available on the Internet. A more detailed survey of the Tonks was undertaken later that year. A short report of that survey is available here.
Keshi said to Gautam: “Whom do you call foes?” Hearing these words of Keshi, Gautam replied: “O sage! The first foe is one’s unconquered soul. Add to this the four passions of anger, conceit, deceit and greed, and the five senses of touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing. Vanquishing all these ten, I move about righteously.” Kumar-shraman Keshi said: “Gautam, you are endowed with excellent wisdom. You have removed my doubt…” Uttaradhyayana Sutra, 23:3- 39. The conversation between Sharman Keshi, follower of Bhagwaan Parsvanath, and Gautam Swami, the ganadhara of Bhagwaan Mahavira.