Ranchi is the capital of Jharkhand, and the state center of administration, trade, and commerce. Ranchi was the center of the Jharkhand movement for a separate State for the tribal regions of South Bihar. As a part of Bihar, it was used to be the summer capital of it from the time of the British empire because of its having cool and congenial, temperate climate, owing to its altitude of 2140 ft abve sea level. Ranchi has always enjoyed a cosmopolitan environment and still entails a good mix of pople from different regions of the country. Some attractive sites in the capital town include Ranchi Hill (pahari Mandir ), Tagore Hill, Ranchi Lake, Nakshatra Van, Rock Garden, etc.
Ranchi Hill:-
About 7 km away from Ranchi Railway Station Ranchi Hill is situated at Ratu Road and is about 300 ft. high. The hill top offers a panoramic view of the town. The Shiva temple located on top of the hill, is an added attraction for devotees, specially in the Hindu month of Shravan.
Jagarnnathpur Temple & Hill :
About 10 km from Ranchi GPO is another spectacular sight as well as a pilgrimage site for tourists. The old temple of Lord Jagarnnath, built in 1961 in the same architectural style of Puri Temple of Orissa, stands like a fort on top of the hill. A portion of the old temple has come down and awaits renovation. Its chariot festival called the Rath Yatra held in the Hindu month of Ashadh, draws a huge crowd comprising of tribal and non-tribal people. The Heavy Engineering Corporation ( HEC) township located nearby is an added attraction.
Tagore Hill :
About 3 km from the Albert Ekka Chowk, Ranchi, is located the Tagore Hill which is about 300 ft. high. Because of being connected with the Tagore family, it is known as Tagore Hill. It is supposed that several books have been written by Nobel Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore on top of this hill. At the foot of this hill are situated the Ramkrishna Mission Ashram and it’s office and Centre of Divyayan and Agrarian Vocational Institute.
Ranchi Lake :
Excavated in 1842 by Col. Onsely, a British Agent in 1842, Ranchi Lake is centrally situated. It is just a few minutes walk from GPO and is adjacent to the Ranchi Telephone Exchange. The task for its beautification is yet to be completed conforming to the original concept envisioned by the Deputy Commissioner, Madan Mohan Jha. However, the lake has added an attraction of boating for the visitors.
Rock Garden :
The spot has been developed into an artificial garden, complete and decorated with waterfalls and sculptures, to attract and entertain spectators and tourists. The rock garden is quite exotic in its appearance, striking a balance between the creativity of urbane modern- and rustic ancient-man.
Nakshatra Van is situated at heart of the city, near Raj Bhawan. It is constructed in the year 2003 by Jharkhand Government. The Nakshatra Van is a rare Designed Project in which 27 plants have been planted which represent the 27 planets of Astrological Science. Here the tourist attractions are Musical Fountain, and exclusive collection of Medicinal Plants.
Tourist Attractions near Ranchi :
Ranchi has specially been surrounded and adorned ornately with falls and streams.
Sun Temple :
About 40 km from Ranchi on the Tata Road near Bundu, is situated the magnificent and numinous Sun Temple fashioned in the form of giant chariot with ornate18 wheels (nine on each side) and seven alive looking splendid horses. A handsome Dharmashala, for the pilgrims and tourists is under construction.
Dassam Falls :
About 40 km away from Ranchi on Tata Road is a village called Taimara near which flows the Kanchi river. Falling from a height of about 144 feet Kanchi river makes an enthralling fall called Dassam falls. Tourists are warned not to bathe in the falls or remain extreme cautious and careful while bathing in the stream.
Hundru Falls :
Ranchi has specially been adorned ornately with falls and streams. Hundru fall is about 45 km away from Ranchi. The Swarnarekha river falls from a height of over 320 feet creating the wonderful Hundru Falls. At the base of the fall a beautiful pool is formed which allows and facilitates the visitors to bathe. During the rainy season it takes a formidable form but in the summer, it turns into an exciting and exotic picnic spot.
Jonha Falls –
Jonha falls, also known as the Gautam Dhara, is about 40 km from Ranchi. There is also a Tourist Rest House that houses Lord Gautam Buddha’s temple. Tourists can go up to the Gautam Dhara station by frequent trains also.
PanchGhagh Falls –
Located en route to Simdega via Khunti, this beautiful waterfall has in fact five falls and therefore called the Panch Ghagh. It is about 55 km from Ranchi town.
Hirni Falls –
About 70 km from Ranchi en route to Chakradharpur is situated the Hirni Falls. Tourists seem to be enthralled and mesmerized by the scenic splendors offered.
Rajrappa –
About 75 km from Ranchi on Ramgarh Chitarpur Road, Rajrappa is situated at the confluence of the rivers Damodar and Bhairavi (popularly known as Bhera). Rajrappa, which was once desolate hillocks with a small temple of Chhinamastika, has now turned into a renowned pilgrim resort for the Hindu devotees of Bihar and West Bengal. The headless statue of Goddess Chhinamastika stands upon the bodies of Kamdeo and Rati on a lotus bed. The temple is very old and its construction and architectural design resembles that of other temples of tantrik importance. Though its antiquity is yet to be dated, some people are of the opinion that the present temple is a renovated one of the original temple. A number of other temples have come up around the original temple, particularly the temples of Mahavidyas (Tara, Shodashi, Bhubneswari, Bhairavi, Bagla, Kamla, Matangi, Dhumavati) built in a series. Pilgrims come here throughout the year.
Rajrappa has also turned into a popular picnic spot. On the day of Makar Sakranti (14th January), a religious fair is held here. Rajrappa can be easily reached from Ranchi and Hazaribagh. It is en route to Bokaro from Ramgarh.
Parasnath :
About 200 Km from Ranchi, Parasnath (also knows as Samved Shikhar) is the highest hill in Jharkhand rising to 4431 ft. above the sea level. It is the most numinous and sacred place of the Jains. It is believed that 20 out of 24 Teerthankars attained their Nirvana there. Both Shwetamber and Digamber Jains have their temples there.
How to Reach Ranchi :
Road - Ranchi is in good Road connectivity with 3-4 National Highways crossing through or close to it. Recently the state government with the support of NHDC has promulgated a plan to boost the road connectivity of different district headquarters to this capital city with 4-laned highways of international standards.
Rail - Ranchi has witnessed a rapid growth of railway connectivity during the past 3-4 years. Growing demand and subsequent push grants in the railway annual budget ensured that Ranchi got its deserved piece of allocation. Currently Ranchi has admirably good rail connectivity with all major centres in India.
Air - The Ranchi Airport (Code: IXR) is located at Hinoo, which is about 7 km from the city centre. The airport name is Bhagwan Birsa Munda Airport. Indian Airline flies daily to Delhi and Mumbai. Air Deccan, Air Sahara and MDLR Airlines also fly to Delhi. Air Deccan and MDLR also have flights to Calcutta.
NETARHAT PARADISE ON EARTH
On the plateau of Chhotanagpur this enticing hill station of Jharkhand promises an impeccable solitude and celestial summer resort. Situated at a height of about 3700 ft. above the sea level, and surrounded aesthetically by thick, verdant, and virgin forests, Netarhat offers excellent and stunning views of the sunrise and sunset. This enchanting holiday resort is about 155 Km from Ranchi followed by placid backwaters and serpentine roads. The Netarhat Residential School considered the best residential school of Bihar and Jharkhand, is located nearby, adding variety to the visitors. Among several dak bungalows for tourists Palamau Dak Bungalow offers the best scenic views of Netarhat.Other places of tourist interest in Netarhat are –
Magnolia Point – 10 km from Netarhat. It is an ideal place for a sunset view and a picnic spot for all nature lovers.
Upper Ghaghri water falls – 4 km from Netarhat and a unique picnic spot.
Lower Ghaghri water falls – Situated at a distance of 10 km from Netarhat in lush verdant forest. A place of alluring scenic beauty and a picnic spot.
Koel View Point – 3 km from Netarhat and an excellent vantage point for viewing Koel river.
Lodh Fall –About 60 km from Netarhat and the highest water fall of Jharkhand descending from a height of about 470 feet The thundering sound of the Burha river fall is audible even 10 km away from it. The spectacular and enthralling sight of the fall explains the profundity and greatness of the creativity of the nature.
Sadani Fall – 35 km from Netarhat, a snake type water fall and a prominent picnic spot.
How to Reach :
By Air - The nearest airport is the Ranchi airport, which is well connected by daily flights to all Indian Metros. Most resorts offer pick-ups facilities.
By Rail - The closest railhead is at Daltonganj from where one can easily get either taxi or bus.
By Road - NH75 from Ranchi via Kuru and Latehar.
