When Jharkhand was segregated from Bihar and carved out as a new state few years ago, critics were skeptical about the fortunes of the 28th state of the Indian Union. But the indomitable spirit of its people, its pro-active administration and the huge deposits of mineral it possesses, has helped the state to be on the fast track to industrial development. Blissfully remote and uniquely beautiful, the tranquil environs of Jharkhand offer an ideal escape from the confines of day-to-day life. It seems that the clock has come to a standstill in this mineral-rich state. It is still the place of bygone days tempered with moments of serenity, goodwill and charm that make it impossible not to be seduced by its beauty and climate. The landscape combines the raucous vivacity, the exquisite scenery, the creaking ox carts and innocent tribal looks that greet visitors everywhere. Pollution is something unheard of in this state. The most important cities and towns of Jharkhand, which are ultimate tourist delights are as follows:
BETLA This region has a national park with numerous wild animals such as tigers, panthers, elephants, etc, making it a great attraction for tourists. Endowed with thick tropical forests and a rich variety of fauna, the core area of the sanctuary has been declared the Betla National Park. At an average elevation of 1,000 ft, the park is open throughout the year. Large herds of gaur and chital are common sightings. Elephants are present mostly after the monsoons up to the time when water holes begin to dry up. Tigers, panthers, sloth bears, wild bears, sambhars, nilgais, kakars and mouse deers are permanent residents of this park and large families of langurs are an ever-present attraction. It has waterfalls and hot springs too. The park occupies an area of 250 sq km on both the sides of the all-weather Mahuadanr Road, taking off from the main Ranchi-Daltonganj Road. The present census of wildlife in Jharkhand indicates that there are 34 tigers, 772 elephants, 3,676 deer, 16,384 cheetals and 3,052 sambhars. Betla, due to its climatic variety, contains a rich stock of these wild animals. Among the most innocent lot here are the spotted deer seen moving in herds. The most coveted sight is the majestic gaur popularly known as bison. The mammalian fauna to be spotted at the park includes langurs, rhesus, cheetals, blue bulls and wild boards.
DEOGHAR Deoghar (Baidyanath Dham), situated in Santhal Paragana region of Jharkhand, retains the honour of being among the greatest pilgrimage of Hindus. That is why it is called the religious capital of Jharkhand. Baba Baidyanath Dham has a special position amongst the religious places of Hindus since it is among the 12 jyotirlingas and is also a 'Siddha Pith'. 'Sravani Mela' of Deoghar is unique in the country and devotees from all over the country gather here to worship and offer the holy Ganges water to the shivalinga. A visit to Basukinath is a must for those who come to Baidyanath Dham. Deoghar, a symbol of peace and universal brotherhood, is a center of social and cultural activities and boasts of many beautiful sights of scenic splendour.
NETARHAT About 156 kms from Ranchi is Netarhat, the queen of Jharkhand. It is situated at a height of 3,700 ft above sea level and is a hill station, which changes into a beautiful resort during the summer. Dense forests, serpentine roads, cool breeze and moonlit nights must have persuaded the English to name this place, which possibly sums up 'nature' and 'heart' of Netarhat. The sunrise and sunset views here are fascinating and the tourist bungalows are an ideal place for witnessing them. About 10 kms off is Magnolia Point, famous for its stunning sunset view. Other beautiful spots in this region are:
Upper Ghagri Waterfalls - A popular picnic spot just six kilometers away.
Lower Ghagri Waterfalls - About 10 kilometers from Ranchi, this place is famous for its beautiful scenery and is a famous picnic spot.
Koel View Point - About three kilometers from Ranchi, this place is ideal for viewing the Koel River.
Public School - A premier residential school of Jharkhand.
View Tower - Situated near the Forest Bungalow from where visitors can take advantage of its scenic beauty of Netarhat can be seen.
Lodh Falls - About 61 kilometers from Netarhat is one of the biggest waterfalls of Jharkhand at a height of 468 ft.
Sadni Falls - About 35 kilometers from Ranchi, this snake-like waterfall is a popular picnic spot.
RAJMAHAL Rajmahal, near Sahebganj, is a historical city built by Emperor Akbar in the 15th century. It was made the capital of Bengal in 1592 by Raja Maan Singh, Akbar's legendary general. Rajmahal stood witness to several battles and the accession of Shah Shuja, the second son of Emperor Shah Jahan. It was here that Dr. Gabriel Boughteen cured Shah Shuja's daughter of an ailment, and the British were quick to establish their trading empire in Bengal. The Jami Masjid in Hadaf at Rajmahal was built in 1592 AD, during the reign of Raja Maan Singh. The mosque originally consisted of a large prayer hall to the west and a spacious courtyard in the front. A high compound wall encloses it with arched recesses inside. The Jami Masjid was once considered the most beautiful building in Gaur (Bengal), of which only the southern portion exists today, suggesting what it once was. Nearby is Bara Darwaza, which was a fort built almost at the same time as the mosque. Situated on top of a hillock facing the river, this unique fort had 12 identical doors, built purely by artistic imagination. The remains of the fort have been declared a heritage site by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and hopefully it will soon regain its lost glory.
HAZARIBAGH Translated 'a thousand gardens', Hazaribagh is a famous health resort situated on a height of 2,019 ft above sea level. It has an excellent climate and beautiful scenery amidst dense forest with rich flora and fauna. It is 93 kms from Ranchi by road, which is well connected with other important towns of the state as well. An important tourist spot of the city includes the Parasnath Temple situated on the highest hill of the state (4,480 ft). According to the Jain tradition, no less than 23 out of 24 tirthankaras are believed to have attained salvation in the 'sammetasikhara' of the Parasnath hills. The hill seems to have been an abode of the Jains. Close to the town lies the Canary Hill, which has a well-laid park and is studded with three small lakes. It also has an observation tower, which gives a panoramic view of the town. The Hazaribagh Lake in the vicinity also attracts tourists and visitors. It is a popular picnic spot and place for water sports. Wildlife enthusiasts would love to visit Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary. This retreat stretches over 184 sq kms of plains, undulating country, steep hills and deep nullahs with thick tropical forests and grass meadows. The best time to visit the place is during early spring when the hills are covered with the fresh green of Sal and miscellaneous trees. An abundance of wild animals is a pleasant sight and wild bear, sambhar (Hazaribagh perhaps holds more sambhars than any other area of comparable size), nilgai, chital and kakar can be seen at dusk and dawn gamboling and enjoying themselves inside water holes. The strip of National Highway-33 passes through the sanctuary by its main gate at Pokharia, 21 kilometers from Barhi and 16 kilometers from Hazaribagh. This stretch of road takes motorists to the park's remotest corners and to masonry towers that are strategically located to offer excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife between the months of October and April. The sanctuary is surrounded by tribals who live in harmony with the wildlife around them. The Tilaiya Dam, situated across Barakar river, is a popular spot for tourists. It is just 55 kilometers from Hazaribagh and the main road from Barhi on GT Road passes through the reservoir and the hillock offering a breathtaking view. Few kilometers from the Tilaiya Dam is the State Tourism Development Corporation's Tourist Complex at Urwan, where one can consider spending time. Visitors can also enjoy boating and other water sports in the Tilaiya Dam. Near the complex is Hari Har Dham at Bagodar, which is famous for the 52 feet high shivaling, which took 30 years to complete and is believed to be the tallest in the world. About 90 kilometers from Hazaribagh town is Rajrappa, famous for its 'Maa Chhina Mastika' temple where river Bhera joins the Damodar from a height of 20 feet. There is another Dam called Konar, which is just 51 kilometers from Hazaribagh.
RANCHI Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, is situated picturesquely in the heart of the state at an altitude of 2,140 ft above sea level. It is well known for its scenic attractions, waterfalls, barren rocks and hillocks. It also has a number of industrial houses, which are important commercial complexes. Other important places of interest in and around the city are:
Ranchi Hill and Ranchi Lake: The scenic attractions of the town have much to offer to its visitors. The landmark of Ranchi is a hill with a temple of Shiva on its summit with a lake at its foot, known as Ranchi Lake. One can have a panoramic view of the town and the surroundings from the top of the hill.
Tagore Hill: On the periphery of Ranchi is Tagore Hill, named after Rabindranath Tagore, who is believed to have written a part of his famous Gitanjali here besides other poems. Ram Kishore Ashram is situated at the foot of the hill, which more beautiful and bigger than Ranchi Hill.
Kanke Dam and Jagannath Temple: On the other end of Ranchi is the Kanke Dam, which is ever crowded with tourists. Few kilometers from the dam and about 10 kilometers from Ranchi is the 17th century Jagannath Temple when the annual Rath Yatra is held in the month of June/July. There is another beautiful dam known as Hatia Dam, which is about 12 kilometers from the city.
Hundru Falls: Hundru Falls, where the Subarnarekha River cascades down from an altitude of 320 feet, is a sight for sore eyes specially in monsoon or when the wind sets the motion. The pools at the base of the falls are a favourite as picnic and bathing spots.
Jonha Falls: Jonha Falls, also known as Gautam Dhara, is another 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.
Sita and Dassam Falls: Adjacent to Jonha Falls is Sita Falls, which can be seen at its best early in the morning. Afternoons may best be saved for the Dassam Falls where River Kanchi falls from a height of 114 feet. Hirni Falls: Hirni Falls is another fascinating waterfall with beautiful surroundings and is just 75 kilometers from Ranchi.
Breeding Center: About 23 kilometers from Ranchi is the Mutta Muggar Breeding Center in Ormanjhi, which took off with three Jharkhandi muggars (crocodiles) and two from Chennai. Today, they account for over 50 crocodiles. Nearby is the biological park, replete with valuable samples of wildlife.
Mc Cluskieganje: Mc Cluskieganje, 60 kilometers from Ranchi on National Highway-47, is a sleepy hamlet amidst green forest. The name evokes nostalgia and one gradually discovers that the place was once popular with the Anglo-Indians. During the 1950s, there were no less than 100 Anglo-Indian families with their quaint cottages, clubs and shops.
DHANBAD The mining town of Dhanbad, 171 kilometers from Jamshedpur, is internationally famous for its rich coal fields. This industrial and commercial town in the Chotanagpur Plateau has the distinction of being located in the heart of India's richest coal fields in Jharia. The collieries, various technical institutions and research centers, attractive neighbourhood and beautiful landscape are the major attractions of this city. Topchanchi Lake: The Topchanchi Lake lies 37 kilometers from Dhanbad and is close to NH-2. It is an artificial lake surrounded by green hills and forests and a wonderful place for picnics and spending quiet holidays.
Jharia: A suburb of Dhanbad, Jharia is a rich colliery center and is an important center for trade and commerce. Sindri: About 30 kilometers from Dhanbad, this town houses fertiliser and other factories as well as the Bihar Institute of Technology. Maithon Dam: It is 52 kilometers from Dhanbad and is the biggest reservoir of the Damodar Valley Corporation. This dam, designed for flood control, has been built on the Barakar River. It has a unique underground power station, which is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. Just a little distance from the dam lies the ancient temple of Kalyaneshwari. The lake at Maithon is spread over an acre of 65 square kilometers. Panchet Dam: It is constructed on the Damodar River, which is 22,155 feet long and 134 feet high. A hydel power station has also been constructed against the background of Panchet Hill in the eastern side of the dam.
JAMSHEDPUR Jamshedpur or Tatanagar is well known as the steel city of India. A major industrial center of India with picturesque surroundings, the model town is also an industrial center with a chain of multiple industries. Dalma Sanctuary, spread over 193 square kilometers, near Jamshedpur is the best elephant habitat of Jharkhand, where the pachyderms love to spend their summer. Jubilee Park at the heart of the city is a well-planned garden like Vrindavan Gardens in Mysore. About 13 kilometers away from here is Dimna Lake surrounded by abundant flora at the foothills of the Dalma range. The lake is a Tata Steel undertaking. Other places of interest are the factories of Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tinplate and Indian Tube Company.
GHATSILA The undulating terrain of Ghatsila has attracted tourists from far and wide for a long time. Once the seat of power of Dhabal Dev, it is now a nice township. This is a perfect hideaway to get away from the din and bustle of city life. It is said that Bibhuti Bhusan Bandopadhyay had a sojourn here for a few days. He was so enamoured by the beauty of the jungles all around that he wrote extensively about the place. One can still see the house where he stayed. Visitors can stroll down to the Subarnarekha River, wander around the stones on the riverbed and submerge themselves in natural beauty of the setting sun.
