Tourism in Jharkhand

Jharkhand ("The land of forest") is a state in eastern India, created on 15 November 2000, from what was previously the southern half of Bihar. It has an area of 79,710 km2 (30,778 sq mi). It is the 15th largest state by area, and the 14th largest by population. The city of Ranchi is its capital and Dumka its sub capital.

The state is known for its waterfalls, Dams, Springs, hills and religious places: Baidyanath Dham, Parasnath and Rajrappa are major religious sites.

Pilgrim Places

Parasnath Temple

Jal Mandir at Shikharji, Parasnath

Shri Sammed Shikharji (Śikharjī) is a pilgrimage site in Giridih district, Jharkhand, India. It is located on Parasnath hill, the highest mountain in the state of Jharkhand. Parasnath, the temple town is the highest hill in the Jharkhand, at an elevation of 4480 ft and 35 km from Giridih town.

Jainism :

It is the most important Jain Tirtha (pilgrimage site), for it being the place where twenty of the twenty-four Jain tirthankaras along with many other monks attained Moksha.

Twenty Jain Tirthankars, out of twenty-four attained salvation in the parasnath hills.

These 20 Tirthankars are:

Ajitnath, Sambhavnath, Abhinandan, Sumatinath, Padmprabhu, Suparshwanath, Chandraprabhu, Suvidhinath, Sheetalnath, Shreyansnath, Vimalnath, Anantnath, Dharmnath, Shantinath, Kunthunath, Arnath, Mallinath, Munisuvrat Swami, Naminath, Parsvanath.

Jains believe that ordinarily, all 24 tirthankars attained nirvana at this location.

Baidyanath Dham

Pyramid shaped Shikhara of the temple, Baidyanath Temple

Vaidyanatha Jyotirlinga temple, also known as Baba Baidyanath dham and Baidyanath dham is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the most sacred abodes of Shiva. It is located in Deoghar in the Santhal Parganas division of the state of Jharkhand, India. It is a temple complex consisting of the main temple of Baba Baidyanath, where the Jyotirlinga is installed, and 21 other temples.

Kanwar Yatra (Devanagari: कांवड़ यात्रा) is an annual pilgrimage of devotees of Shiva, known as Kānvarias (कांवड़िया) or "Bhole" (भोले) to Hindu pilgrimage places of Sultanganj in Bihar to fetch holy waters of Ganges River. Millions of participants gather sacred water from the Ganga and carry it across hundreds of miles to dispense as offerings in Baidyanath Temple in Jharkhand.

Rajrappa

Rajrappa is a waterfall and a pilgrimage centre in the Chitarpur CD block in the Ramgarh subdivision of the Ramgarh district in the Indian state of Jharkhand. Rajrappa stands at the confluence of the Damodar and Bhairavi rivers. The main attraction of the Chhinnamasta (also known as Chinnamastika) temple located here is the headless deity of goddess Chinnamasta which stands on the body of Kamdev and Rati in the lotus bed. The Chhinnamasta temple is very popular for its Tantrik style of architectural design.

Rajrappa also is a pilgrim centre for the Santals and other tribals who come for immersion of the ashes of their loved ones in the Damodar. They come mostly during the month of December, in groups known as yatri. As per their mythology it is their final resting place. In their folk songs Rajrappa is referred to as "Thel Kopi Ghat" and they use oil after bathing. They come in significant numbers from the southern parts of Jharkhand state such as East and West Singhbhum and Saraikela districts.

In popular culture Chinnamasta is featured in the detective story of Bengali novel Feluda series "Chhinnamastar Abhishap" by the renowned filmmaker Satyajit Ray.

Jagannath Temple

Jagannath Temple Ranchi

Jagannath Temple in Ranchi, is a 17th-century temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath. It was built by king of Barkagarh Jagannathpur Thakur Ani Nath Shahdeo, in 1691.

Similar to the famous Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, this temple is built in the same architectural style, although smaller. And similar to the Rath Yatra in Puri, an annual fair cum rath yatra is held at this temple in the month of Aashaadha, attracting thousands of tribal and non-tribal devotees not only from Ranchi but also from neighbouring villages and towns and is celebrated with much pomp and vigor.

Pahari Temple

Dewri Temple

Pahari temple (Ranchi Hill) is within half kilometers from Ratu Road in Ranchi. It is located in 2140 feet high Ranchi Hill. A flight of 468 steps lead you to the “Pahari Baba” that is worshiped in the form of a Shiva Linga. There is major surge of devotees during the month of Saavan.

Dewri Temple

Dewri Mandir is a mandir situated in Diuri village, Tamar near Ranchi in Jharkhand in India. The main attraction of this ancient mandir is, 700 year old murti of the Goddess Durga, Kali. According to the media reports this Mandir's murti's architecture style is similar to the murti's found in temples of Odisha state.

Maluti Temple Town

Maluti is a unique heritage village in Dumka district, 55 kms from Dumka town, that boasts of exquisite terracotta temples, the village was once known as ‘Gupta Kashi’ or hidden Varanasi. In fact, it originally had an auspicious number of 108 temples, of which only 72 survives today.

The village is situated on the banks of river Chila, at the far end of the Chhotanagpur plateau, surrounded by lush forests, hillocks and rivulets. The name ‘Maluti’ is derived from the Malla kings of Bishnupur in Nankura district of West Bengal, who ruled over this area in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Maluti Temple Town aka Gupt kashi Dumka

Places Nearby:

Hot water springs: There are several hot water springs in Dumka district, most of which are located in peaceful environs and are said to have medicinal properties. Tharia Pani is about 40 kms from Dumka on the Dumka-Pakur road, near Gopikandar. Nunbil hot spring is about 60 kms south of Dumka. “Susum Pani” hot water spring is near Baghmara village, on the banks of the Mayurakshi river.

Massanjore Dam :

Massanjore Dam is situated 35km from Dumka town. It was constructed over the temperamental Mayurakshi river, the dam was built in the 1950s to boost irrigation, generate electricity and control flooding. Since the project was supported and aided by the Canadian Government. It is also known by the sobriquet of ‘Canada Dam’. The Hizla Mela, formally called Hizla Janajati Mela, is a week-long fair held in February every year.

Bhadrakali temple

The Bhadrakali temple in Itkhori built in 9th century A.D. It is situated at Chatra-Chouparan path. Maa Bhadrakali Temple is very famous religious place, it comes among one of the shakti peeths. The Buddhist stupas of Itkhori goes backs to 200 BC. It is holy place for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains.

This place is surrounded by three sides from Buxa River which looks like U-shaped. The premises of Maa Bhadrakali Temple is surrounded with green forests and falls.

Netarhat [1]

Netarhat is a hill station in the state. It is referred to as the “Queen of Chotanagpur”. Tourists from all over India and abroad visit Netarhat, whose name means Nature's Heart. However, the place may have got its name from 'Netur Haat' (which means a marketplace for bamboo in the local language). Apart from bamboo, the pine and sakhua trees add to the flora. Netarhat plateau is an abode of a variety of flora and fauna thanks to its supportive climate and copious rain. Pine martins, porcupines, leopards, monkeys, bears, civets, monitor lizards, wild pigs, scorpions, snakes and other species are found in and around Netarhat. Occasional spotting of elephants and tigers is also reported as Netarhat forest is very close to the Betla Tiger Sanctuary. Some endangered species of Indian snakes can be found here, including pythons.

Apart from the bamboo clusters the place may have got its name from, tropical trees like mango, sal, neem, gulmohar, amaltas, mahua, etc. can be found here and even trees of cold climate like pine, silver fur, bottle brush, thuja are found. "Chilgoza" or the pine nut is type of an aromatic and nutritious dry fruit and is popular amongst people.

Parasnath Hills

Parasnath Hills are a range of hills located in Giridih district of Jharkhand. The highest peak is 1350 metres. It is one of the most important pilgrimage centre for Jains. They call it Sammed Sikhar. The hill is named after Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara. Twenty of Jain Tirthankaras attained salvation on this hill. For each of them there is a shrine (gumti or tuk) on the hill. Some of the temples on the hill are believed to be more than 2,000 years old. However, although the place is habited from ancient times, the temples may be of more recent origin. The Santhals call it Marang Buru, the hill of the deity. They celebrate a hunting festival on the full moon day in Baisakh (mid April).

Sunset in Netarhat

View of shikharji from Parasnath

Waterfalls of Jharkhand

There are several waterfalls in state. They are as follows:

• Dassam Falls, Ranchi district
• Hirni Falls, West Singhbhum
• Hundru Falls, Ranchi district
• Jonha Falls, Ranchi district
• Lodh Falls, Latehar district
• Lower Ghaghri Falls, Latehar district
• Panchghagh Falls, Khunti district
• Rajrappa, Ramgarh district
• Sadni Falls, Gumla district
• Sita Falls, Ramgarh district
• Usri Falls, Giridih district

Jonha Falls

Dassam Falls

Sita Falls

Dams

• Getalsud Dam
• Kanke Dam
• Khandoli Dam
• Konar Dam
• Maithon Dam
• Panchet Dam
• Tenughat Dam
• Chandil Dam

Kanke Dam

Sunset at Maithon Dam

Wildlife and national parks

Jharkhand is known as Land of Forest. There are several Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks including Betla National Park, Hazaribag Wildlife Sanctuary, Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, Gautam Budha Wildlife Sanctuary and Palkot Wildlife Sanctuary.

A female Indian Elephant at Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary

Crested serpent eagle at Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary

Culture

The state of Jharkhand has rich and vibrant tradition. It is known for its local festival of Karam, Sohrai, Phagua, Tusu and Sarhul. There are several folk dance in State including Jhumair, Domkach, Chhau and Mundari dance, which represent its ancient heritage.

Karam festival in Jharkhand

Chhau dancers in village of Jharkhand

Famous dishes of the state include Chirka roti, Malpua, Pitha, Dhooska, Arsa roti, Dudhauri, and Panipuri (Gupchup).

Archaeological sites and heritage

There are several archaeological sites in state which are:

• Cave Paintings, Isko, Hazaribagh district
• Megalith Prehistoric Monument, Pakri Barwadih, Hazaribagh district
• Palamu Forts, Palamu district
• Maluti, Dumka district
• Navratangarh, Gumla district

Navratangarh

Palamu Forts

Museums

There are several museums in State which have preserved ancient artifacts discovered from state such as Stone tools, teracotta and sculpture.

• Ranchi Science Centre, Ranchi
• State Museum Hotwar, Ranchi
• Tribal Research Institute and Museum, Ranchi
• Sanskriti Museum & Art Gallery, Hazaribagh

Gallery

• Patratu valley
  Patratu valley
• 
  Rajrappa
• 
  McCluskieganj
• 
  Usri Falls

See also

• List of Monuments of National Importance in Jharkhand

External links

• Jharkhand travel guide from Wikivoyage