Ranchi is the capital of the newly founded state
of Jharkhand. The erstwhile summer capital of Bihar, the city is well equipped
to wear the mantle. A popular tourist destination for its pleasant weather and
scenic landscapes, the city also boasts of eminent educational institutions
within its precincts. The administrative and transportation hub of the mineral
rich state, Ranchi also has a large number of business travellers. Waterfalls,
hills and many temple complexes are the city's main points of interest.
History
Earlier the name of the district was Lohardaga. The old district had come into
existence after the creation of the non-regulation South – West frontier
as a result of the Kol rising in 1831-32. The name of the district was changed
in 1899 from Lohardaga to Ranchi after the name of a small village now comprised
within the headquarters station.
In ancient times the district of Ranchi was in the possession of Munda and
Oraon tribes and was known to Aryans as Jharkhand or the 'forest territory'.
The area was included in the Magadh Empire during the reign of Ashoka (273-232
B.C.) and Samudra Gupta (335-380 A.D.) must have passed through the area on
his expedition to the Deccan. The Chotanagpur Raj was set up in fifth century
A.D. after the fall of the imperial Guptas. Phanimukut from Nag Dynasty was
elected the first king.
The Chotanagpur plateau was referred to as Jharkhand by the Muhammedan historians.
In 1556 Muslim influence penetrated in Jharkhand, and then known to the Mughals
as Kokrah. In 1585, Akbar sent a force under the command of Shahabaz Khan
to reduce the Raja of Chotanagpur to the position of a tributary. After the
death of Akbar in 1605, the area presumably regained its independence.
In 1780, a district was formed under the name of the Ramgarh Hill which lasted
till 1863. Six police thanas were also set up in 1809, marking the beginning
of end of the feudal authority of the Raja.
Ranchi has attracted many Christian missions which have contributed much
to the growth of education in the district. The earliest Christian missionaries
reached the district in 1845.
Places to See Hundru falls
Ranchi the Queen of Jharkhand is surrounded by falls and the streams. It is
about 45km. from Ranchi. The wonderful scene is made by the Swaranrekha river
falls from a height of 320 feet. It is an exiting place for picnic.
Johna falls
It is about 40kms away from Ranchi on the Ranchi-Purliya Highway. There is
a tourist rest house, which accommodates the Lord Gautam Buddha's Temple.
This falls is named after Gautam as Gautamdhara. Enchanting retreat amidst
rich flora and fauna beside the Kanchi River. The scenery around it is very
picturesque and it is a popular picnic spot. To admire the fall one is required
to descend 500 pared steps.
Dasham falls
It is about 40kms from Ranchi on the Ranchi-Tata highway falls a village named
Taimara near which flows the Kanchi river. Falling from a height of about
144 feet Kanchi river makes a scenic sight of the fall. It is also known as
Dasham Gagh surrounded by pleasant and eyes catching scene
Panch Ghagh falls
Located on way to Simdega via Khunti, this beautiful waterfall has infact
five water falls in a row and therefore called Panch Ghagh. The distance of
this waterfall is about 55 kms from Ranchi.
Hirni Fall
About 75 km. from Ranchi on way to Chakradharpur is located Hirni falls Situated
in the dense forest on the way of Chakradharpur is about 70 km. It since it
is surrounded by a dense forest it creates a real natural beauty
Jagannathpur Temple & Hill
It is situated about 10km. from the Albert Ekka Chowk is another sight seeing
place. The old temple of lord Jagannath was built in 1691 in architectural style
of Puri Temple stands like a fort on the top of the hill. Its car/chariot festival
held in the light part of Ashadhmas draws a big crowd comprising of tribals
and non-tribals. HEC Township nearby is an added attraction to this site.
Tagore Hill
It is about 3km. from the Albert Ekka Chowk is about 300 ft. high. It is
named as Tagore Hill because it is associated with a history pertaining to
Tagore family. On the top of the hill, a number of books have been written
by Rabindra Nath Tagore. At the foot of the hill Ramakrishna Mission Ashram
and centre of Divyayan and Agararian Vocational Institute is situated.
Gonda Hill
It is about 4 km. from Albert Ekka Chowk. On the Kanke road is just in front
of the Gonda House (Head quarter of CMPDIL) having a water reservoir at its
top. At the foot of the hill is a big lake known as Kanke Dam and a lucrative
place to visit.
Rock Garden
Rock Garden is about 3km from the Albert Ekka Chowk. It is one of the places
in Ranchi which is giving a pleasant and a calm feeling to the visitors. At
the foot of the hill are a big lake and a lucrative place to visit
Machali Ghar
It is located near the CCL headquarter on Kanke Road 1.5km from Albert Ekka
Chowk. Different types of fishes are attraction of this aquarium. It is an
attractive place to visit.
Pahari Mandir
It is located on the Ratu Road is about 2km from Albert Ekka Chowk. It is
one of the Hindu's holy places. The Temple is situated on the hill. The temple
is very old same as that of other temples of Lord Shiva. Though its antiquity
is yet to be dated.
Birsa Jaivik Udyan
It is a Zoological garden named as jaivik udyan is about 16km from Ranchi
on the Ranchi-Patna National Highway near Ormanjhi. It attraction is the mammalian
faunas that has been collected for the visitors.
Rajrappa
Rajrappa is about 78 km from Ranchi on the way of Bokaro. It is one of the
Hindu's holy places. It is Shakti Pith. It is situated on the confluence of
two rivers known as Damodar and Bhairve (Bhera). There are numbers of small
and big temples in Rajrappa. It is a famous pilgrim resort for the Hindu devotees
mainly from Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal. The Chinnamastika Temple is
a very famous and a popular place of Hindu pilgrimage. The temple is very
old and its architectural design is the same as that of other temples of Tantrik
importance. Though its antiquity is yet to be dated.
Tagore Hill
About 3 km. from the Ranchi GPO, the Tagore Hill is about 300 ft. high. As
the hill is associated with a history pertaining to Tagore family, it is known
as Tagore Hill. A number of books are supposed to have been written by Rabindra
Nath Tagore on the top of the hill. At the foot of the hill are situated the
Ramkrishna Mission Ashram and its office and centre of Divyayan and Agrarian
Vocational Institute.
Angrabadi
Angrabadi is, actually, a temple complex in Khunti which accommodates the temples
of Lord Ganpati, Ram-Sita, Hanuman and Shiva. The Shankracharya Swami Swarupanand
Saraswati, having been captivated by serene, placid and celestial beauty of
Angrabadi rechristened it as Amreshwar Dham
Excursion Betla
140km from Ranchi, Palamau has been renamed the Betla National Park. It is one
of India’s original tiger reserves. Spanning 232 sq km, it is enriched
with thick tropical forests and hot springs. February to April is the best time
to visit the Park. Though you may not come across the tiger with ease, there
are large herds of Gaur, langur, chital, barking deer and nilgai that roam across
the Park. The elephants come out in herds to the waterholes after March when
other sources of water begin to dry up. Apart from the attraction of the Park,
Betla is scenically endowed with waterfalls and Rivers Koel and Burha.
Accommodation is available in the form of Government Rest Houses and privately
owned lodges, cottages and hotels. 4WDs can be rented for tours around the
Park.
Hazaribagh National Park
91 km away from Ranchi, the Hazaribagh National Park is spread over 184 sq
km of gentle hills, thick tropical forests and grasslands. Tigers are rarely
spotted because they have dwindled in huge numbers. Animals that are abundant
are sambar, chital, barking deer and wild boar that crowd the waterholes at
dusk. Trips to the Park from the Divisional Forest office commence at 1700
hours and wind up at 2200 hours.
Reserve your accommodation in advance, as it is limited to a small tourist
lodge, Forest Rest House and some cottages at the edge of the clearing.
Macluskiganj
Once an Anglo Indian dominated town, Macluskiganj is a hill station with pleasant
climes. 60 km away from Ranchi on National Highway 47, the town is still living
in its past glory. ‘Haunted houses’ that were home to once well-to-do
families proud of their connections with the British Raj, a sleepy yet picturesque
ambience, attractive walks around town and the river banks of Chatti offer
an unusual getaway. Privately owned ‘English’ houses offer inexpensive
accommodation. Macluskiganj can be visited throughout the year.
Dining Out Almost all hotels in the state have restaurants in their premises. The
upper rung of the ladder serves Continental cuisine. You’ll get Indian
food on the menu of all restaurants.
Shopping
Indigenous crafts make a good buy, especially the bamboo work, wood products,
interesting toys and metal craft. The intricate ‘paitkar’ paintings
and stone carvings rarely find their way to the market for lack of sponsorship.
Visiting
October to May is the best time to visit Ranchi when the temperatures and humidity
are low and the weather is pleasant. The city is visited almost throughout the
year because of its relatively high altitude. Many find it the ideal place to
recuperate because it has pleasant climate through the year, with the exception
of June, July and August.
How to get there By Air : Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Patna have regular flights
to Ranchi. National and private airlines fly to the city.
By Train :Most of the major cities of India are connected by
regular passenger and express trains to Ranchi.
By Road : Government and privately operated buses link many
states such as Bihar, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Orissa to Ranchi. Situated
on National Highway 23 and 33, there is a network of good roads leading in and
out of the city.
