Jharkhand- Nature’s Hidden Jewel Waiting to be Discovered

Wonders of Jharkhand, India – Jharkhand Travel Guide

India is a country which never fails to amaze. In spite of having lived all our lives in India and traveled the length and breadth of the country, there is always a part that is waiting to be discovered. A lifetime is not enough to experience what India has to offer. India is truly a travelers dream come true.

Jharkhand, a state in eastern India was one place that we had not set foot on and were keen to explore and learn more about.

The inaugural edition of the Jharkhand Travel Mart organized by Jharkhand Tourism afforded us an irresistible opportunity to visit a state which was hitherto unexplored by us.

A place or a region for us is not just the must-see sights but encompasses a plethora of experiences spanning the culture of the region and encompasses its dances, festivals, cuisine, arts, handicrafts and much more. So it was a bonanza for us as  Jharkhand was unveiled to us at the Jharkhand Travel Mart in all its splendor. It was an experience that went beyond the run of the mill, apart from Jharkhand tourist places, folk dances, audio-visual presentations about the sights and experiences of the state, cuisine of the state, arts and handicrafts were all showcased in the event and of course, the grand finale was that we got to experience some of the sights of Jharkhand.

Jharkhand is a state that seems to be doubly blessed with nature. Where on the one hand numerous waterfalls cascade throughout the state and the rivers meander through the lush forests, the music, dance, and culture reverberate through the state in a mellifluous symphony.

We share with you some of the glimpses of Jharkhand that we were privileged to have during the course of the Jharkhand Travel Mart.

About Jharkhand

Jharkhand is a state in the eastern region of India. One of the interesting facts about Jharkhand is that it came into existence only in the year 2000 and was carved out of the now neighboring state of Bihar. Jharkhand is a rural state with a small proportion of its population living in the cities. Jharkhand is rich in minerals and almost forty percent of the country’s minerals come from this state. Another unique factor about Jharkhand is that it has about 32 different tribal groups whose indigenous and vibrant culture is still alive. Ranchi is the capital and other important cities of Jharkhand are Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, and Hazaribagh.

Dance and Music of Jharkhand- A colorful and vibrant show at the Jharkhand Travel Mart

Nothing lifts the spirits like music and dance and Jharkhand has a rich tradition of music and dance.

During the Jharkhand Travel Mart, we were treated to some colorful and spectacular musical and dance extravaganzas that lifted our spirits and had our feet tapping.

Dance performances including Santhali, Paika, Chhau, and Nagpuri were performed with great gusto and vigor at the Jharkhand Travel Mart.

Santhali dance is performed by the Santhal tribes who form one of the biggest tribal community in India and are native to Jharkhand as well as some other eastern states of India.

Paika dance is a martial dance that is performed at ceremonies including weddings and festivals. Swords, shields, and other weapons of combat are used in this aggressive dance.

The Chhau dance is a mix of spectacular acrobatics and dance movements. The colorful costumes and masks give the dance a larger than life dimension.

The dance is based on episodes from Indian mythology that include the Mahabharata, Ramayana and the Puranas.

Textiles and Handicrafts of Jharkhand- A Scintillating Show at the Jharkhand Travel Mart

Did you know that Jharkhand is virtually the home of the famous Tasar Silk?

Almost 62% of India’s production of Tasar Silk comes from the state of Jharkhand. Apart from Tussar Silk Jharkhand has a very vibrant handloom and handicraft sector that is fostered and promoted by Jharcraft, a state government undertaking. The Jharkhand Travel Mart ably showcased the handloom and handicrafts of the state.

Dhokra Art, Wood Craft, and Tribal Art are some of the shining examples of the artistry of the artisans of Jharkhand. The textiles and the culture of Jharkhand were presented through a scintillating fashion show that was an incredible fusion of the traditional with the contemporary during the course of the Jharkhand Travel Mart.

Jharkhand- A Tapestry of Sights And Experiences

Waterfalls of Jharkhand

One of the most enthralling gifts of nature is waterfalls. Jharkhand is a state that seems to be doubly blessed with waterfalls. The state has at least 14 major waterfalls with many others embellishing its length and breadth. In fact, there are 5 waterfalls that ornament the capital city of Ranchi itself and can be found within a 50-kilometer radius of the city. We were fortunate to see three of the waterfalls around Ranchi after the Jharkhand Travel Mart.

Hundru Falls

The 45-kilometer drive to the Hundru falls is in itself a rewarding experience. You pass quaint villages as you drive through the wooded Chota Nagpur Plateau. It was that time of the year when the trees had shed their leaves. The ground all around was covered by a brown carpet of dried leaves while the trees swayed in naked splendor.

The trees of the state flower Palaash also known as flame of the forest blazed a fiery trail of their own as the summer sun shone brilliantly in the sky.

About 10 kilometers from the Hundru falls we stopped at the Getalsud Dam, where there is a reservoir that stores the waters of the Subarnarekha river. We walked down to the rocky banks of the water for some photo ops, the water looked ethereal as it shimmered in emerald hues. We were told that this is a favorite picnic spot for the people of Ranchi.

The Hundru falls itself is one of the famous falls of Jharkhand where the waters of the Subarnarekha take a plunge across rocky terrain from a height of about 322 feet. We had to descend about 750 steps to reach the base of the falls. It is to be noted that the steps are well made and easy to negotiate with comfortable spacing. We found a small pool into which the waters plummet. The pool along with the rocky facade presents a very picturesque setting. Another exciting aspect is to walk through the rocks to the edge of the pool from where you can take a small raft right up to the waterfalls and feel the spray of the water on your face. Though it was summer the flow of water was good.

We could only imagine the full majesty of the falls during the rainy season.

Sita Falls

Our next waterfall destination was Sita Falls which is situated at about 44 kilometers from the capital city of Ranchi. Nestled in the midst of woods in a calm and tranquil area, we found the Sital falls to be a secluded haven of raw natural beauty. A descent of about 250 odd steps and a walk amongst the rocks takes you to the base of the walls where the waters of the Kanchi, a tributary of the Subarnarekha river seems to caress the grey rocks as it falls down in a milky spray. The falls are relatively off the beaten track which adds to its allure. A visit after the rainy season when the falls are at the zenith of their beauty would be indeed an awesome experience.

Jonha Falls

The Jonha falls too are located just about 40 kilometers from the capital city of Ranchi. We were a little disappointed as the fall was not flowing owing to the season. The Jonha falls in their full flow paints a very picturesque picture. The waters seem to snake through the valley meandering over the different tiers of undulating rocks to plunge down from a height of 43 meters.

The Jonha falls are reached by descending about 722 steps into the valley. The falls are also called Gautamdhara falls. At the top of the plateau from where you descend to the falls is an old Buddhist temple that is dedicated to Gautam Buddha.

We hope to return to Jharkhand to revel in the beauty of its waterfalls in full flow sometime after the monsoons. As mentioned earlier these falls are just the tip of the iceberg, there are numerous other enchanting falls that we hope to see on our next trip to Jharkhand. These falls include the Dassam falls which are a vertical spectacle in grandeur with the water plunging from a height of 44 meters, Lodh Falls and Usri Falls among others.

Jharkhand- A state of Eleven Wonders

Jharkhand is a state which not only enchants you with its natural beauty but also wows you with experiences and attractions of the spiritual, religious and heritage kind. If one is looking for an adrenaline rush there is plenty of scope for adventure too.

Jharkhand proudly projects eleven of its jewels as its eleven wonders and these spans the gamut of these genres. The eleven wonders of Jharkhand were highlighted through audiovisuals during the course of the Jharkhand Travel Mart.

Chandil Dam

Chandil is a dam that is built on the confluence of two rivers, the Subarnarekha and the Karkori. The dam is surrounded by lush landscapes of tremendous scenic beauty. The place is a popular picnic spot offering tranquil boating opportunities. There is a museum located very near the dam which has some fascinating exhibits of rock scripts that date back to more than 2000 years.

Betla National Park

The Betla National Park is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. Spread over an area of 250 square kilometers the National Park is one of the earliest Tiger Reserves in India. Tigers, Sloth Bears, Panthers, Gaur, Chital and other animals live in the Betla National Park in the most natural of environs. The Betla National Park is a biodiversity hotspot with numerous waterfalls, streams, and hot water springs. An intriguing 16th-century fort also is found within the Betla National Park.

Parasnath

Parasnath is one of the most sacred pilgrimage destinations for Jains.Twenty of the Jain Tirthankaras are believed to have attained salvation on the Parasnath hill.

Netarhat

Netarhat is known as the “Queen of Chotanagpur”, and is a serene hill station situated at a height of about 3,514 feet. Netarhat is a place of immense natural and pristine beauty and known for its magical sunrises and sunsets.

Patratu Valley

Not very far from Ranchi is the picturesque Patratu Valley in which is located the Patratu Dam. It is a very scenic region with serpentine roads weaving through hairpin bends in the mids of hills and lush greenery.

Baidyanath

Baidyanath in Deoghar is a temple complex with the main temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples which are most sacred for Hindus. It is believed that it was at this place that the demon king Ravana did rigorous penance and prayed to Shiva.

Basukinath Dham

About 50 kilometers from Baidyanath is another pilgrimage center for Hindus known as Basukinath Dham. This is a temple complex with many shrines. The main shrines which stand to face each other are the ones dedicated to Shiva and his consort Parvati. Pilgrims visit both the temples of Baidyanath and Basukinath as part of their pilgrimage.

Itkhori

Itkhori is a place with a historic confluence of religions. A place where traces from history point to the Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism. It is believed that this is the place where the Buddha first sat down for meditation and his resolve to forge ahead in search of truth solidified. Many Buddhist relics that date back to as far as 200 BC are present in the region. A 9th century Hindu temple to the goddess Bhadrakali as well as evidence that points to the presence of Jain tirthankars wraps Itkhori in a unique spiritual aura. Itkhori is indeed one of the best places to visit in Jharkhand.

Maa Chiinmastika Temple

A temple with tantric architectural style is situated about 100 kilometers from the capital city of Ranchi, Jharkhand in a place called Rajrappa. The temple is dedicated to goddess Chiinmastika or the headless one. The deity in the main temple is the headless form of Chiinmastika.

Terracotta Temple Maluti

There are many historical places in Jharkhand and one of the fascinating ones is a town is Maluti. The town has as many as 72 terracotta temples with exquisite carvings from Indian mythology on the outer walls which stand silent testimony to the passage of history in Maluti. It is believed that there were originally 108 temples of which 72 have survived the ravages of time. Pre-historic stone implements have also bee found from a site near Maluti.Maluti is indeed one of the top places to visit in Jharkhand for history buffs.

Jonha Waterfalls

Jonha waterfalls also known as Gautamdhara falls are unique hanging valley falls with water cascading from a height of about 141 feet. The falls which is just about 40 kilometers from the capital city of Ranchi is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Jharkhand.

Ranchi – The Capital of Jharkhand

Ranchi is the gateway to all the wonders that Jharkhand has to offer and is well connected by rail, road, and air to the major cities of India. Ranchi was where the Jharkhand Travel Mart was held, apart from being the home of the Indian cricketing legend M.S.Dhoni it is also known for its premier educational institutions. A garland of waterfalls encircles Ranchi and make for great getaways, Within the city of Ranchi too there are many attractions for travelers. Here are some of the sights of Ranchi one should not miss on your Jharkhand travels.

Tagore Hill

The Tagore Hill is a scenic hill with some panoramic views of Ranchi. This was the place where Jyotindranath Tagore, the brother of Rabindranath Tagore had settled during his last years and breathed his last.

Nakshatra Van

The Nakshatra Van is a zodiac garden. It has been landscaped and designed keeping in mind the 27 stars or Nakshatras of the Indian zodiac system, trees specific to each zodiac have been planted corresponding to each Nakshatra.

War Memorial

This is a beautiful monument built as a tribute to the valiant soldiers and martyrs who have sacrificed their everything for the land in various wars. Martyrs like Late Lance Naik Albert Ekka, Late Sepoy Viswa Kerketta, and the iconic tribal leader Birsa Munda have been honored in the memorial. A museum and a sound & light show make a visit to the war memorial an unforgettable experience.

Yogoda Satsang Sakha Ashram

Anyone who has read “The Autobiography of a Yogi“, a book that has sold more than 4 million copies would immediately identify with the Yogoda Satsang Sakha Ashram. This is the place where Paramhansa Yogananda started his life’s mission which ultimately took him to the shores of America. His living quarters in the early years is today a hallowed place where one can sit and meditate. A visit to the Ashram is in itself a soothing and rejuvenating experience in the Jharkhand travel

McCluskeiganj

A sleepy town that lies in the midst of forests in the tribal belt of Jharkhand is McCluskeiganj. The town was a utopian dream of Anglo-Indians in the 1930’s, but today what remains are a handful of memories.McCluskeiganj is not a place that you would find on your standard Jharkhand Travel Guide. We went to McCluskeiganj on the trail of this dream on the sidelines of the Jharkhand Travel Mart, our journey to McCluskeiganj and our experiences is the subject of another post.

McCluskieganj, Jharkhand – An unfulfilled Anglo-Indian Dream 

How To Get To Ranchi, Jharkhand

Ranchi is well connected by rail, road, and air to the major towns and cities of India.

The Birsa Munda Airport is located about 5 kilometers from the city center of Ranchi and flights to and from Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Bhubaneshwar, Patna are operated from here.

Ranchi is situated at a distance of about 337 kilometers from Patna, 434 kilometers from Kolkata, 1,219 kilometers from Delhi and 1,705 kilometers from Mumbai.

Book cheap flights, hotels, and cars on rent here.

Jharkhand Map

Where to stay in Ranchi

If you are looking for best accommodation in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India, we recommend HotelsCombined or Agoda or Booking.com to save huge and get best deals on booking your stay.

The Jharkhand Food Experience

The local cuisine of Jharkhand is predominantly vegetarian with rice and wheat playing a pivotal role in all recipes. One dish that is Jharkhand’s famous food and is synonymous with Jharkhand is Litti Chokha.

This dish which has its origins in war food which soldiers used to carry as it lasted for days and provided required nutrients, is today ubiquitous in its presence across Jharkhand. Litti is a dough ball stuffed with chickpea flour and other spices which are roasted over coal or cow dung cakes and then tossed in clarified butter. This is eaten with what is called Chokha which is either Baingan Bharta (Eggplant curry) or Alu Bharta (Potato Curry) or yogurt.

Jharkhand is indeed a melting pot of sights and experiences, some enthralling, some intriguing, some poignant, and some awe-inspiring. It is a state that shines on the Indian firmament and beckons travelers thirsty for nature, seeking spirituality, keen for adventure, curious for culture, hysterical about history, or eager to understand Jharkhand’s heritage. Whatever your inclination the state of Jharkhand seems to have an experience that will leave you touched.

We are thankful to the Jharkhand Travel Mart for unveiling the hidden jewel of India to us.

Have you visited the state of Jharkhand? Do share your experiences with us through our comments section. As always your feedback helps us to introspect and improve.

We were hosted by Jharkhand Tourism. However, the views and opinions expressed here are our own based on our experience.

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