Tourist Attractions

Parasnath

The highest hill in Jharkhand, towering to an elevation of 4480 feet. The Parasnath Temple is considered to be one of the most important and sanctified holy places of the Jains. According to Jain tradition, no less than 23 out of 24 Tirthankaras are believed to have attained salvation here.

Dassam Falls

About 40 km. away from Ranchi on Tata Road falls a village named Taimara near which flows the Kanchi river, Falling from a height of about 144 feet Kanchi river makes a pretty fall called Dassam falls known as Dassam Ghagh also encircled with charming scences. The tourists are warned not to take bath in the falls or at least be careful while bathing in the stream.

Hundru Falls

Ranchi is nature’s bounty to mother India which has specially been adorned with falls and streams. Hundru falls is about 28 km. aways from Ranchi town. The Swarnarekha river falls from a height of 320 feet making a wonderful scene known as Hundru falls. During rainy season it takes a formidable form but in summer it turns into an exciting picnic spot.

Jonha Falls

Jonha is about 40 km. away from Ranchi. The road leading to Jonha is a bit narrow but not so rough and rugged as well as arduous as that of Hundru. There is also a hospice Tourists rest house which accommodates Lord Gautam Budha’s temple. This falls is named after Gautam as Gautamdhara too, it is approachable by road. The tourists can go upto Gautamdhara station by train also.

Hirni Falls

About 70 km. From Ranchi on way to Chakradharpur is located Hirni Falls. Having situated amidst dense forest Hirni has been favoured by nature for scenic beauties. The tourists are carried away by emotions and flight of imagination while observing Hirni.

Ranchi Hill

Ranchi, being situated at an altitude of 21,40 feet from sea level, is a popular health and holiday resort and a place of sacred pilgrimate. Some comely sights in the town include Ranchi Hill, Tagore Hill, Ranchi Lake etc. A panoramic view of the town can be behond from the hill top.The Shiva Temple situated on the top of the hill, is an added attraction for the devotees for whom it assumes the places of reverence during Shravanmas same as that of Baijnath Dham (Deoghar).

Tagore Hill

About 3 km. from the Ranchi G.P.O. 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 Ramakrishna Mission Ashram and its office and center of Divyayan and agrarian vocational institute.

Sun Temple

About 39 km. From Ranchi on Tata Road near Bundu stands on the desolate bush green the elegant Sun temple fashioned in the form of huge chariot with richly decorated 18 wheels and seven life like horses ready to take of. Built by Sanskrit Vihar headed by Shri Ram Maroo, the managing director of Ranchi Express, the sun temple deserves the title "a poem in stone". The surroundings of the temple are studded with a pond serving as a sacred place for Chhathavratis.

Netarhat

Popularly called the `Queen of Chhotanagpur' Netarhat is 154 km west of Ranchi Town. It is a plateau covered with thick forests situated at a height of 3,700 feet or 1128 metres. Generally people visit this place to enjoy the breath taking Sunrise and Sunset.

Hazaribagh

Nestling in low hilly terrain, at an average altitude of 1800 ft. (615 metres) this 183.89 sq. kms National Park has an abundance of wild animals, i.e. wild Boar, Sambar, Nilgai, Chital, Sloth Bear, tiger and Panthar. The 1970 census has established the presence of 14 tigers, 25 Panthers and 400 Sambars.

Hazaribag National Park

Nestling in low hilly terrain, at an average altitude of 615 meters in the Indian state of Jharkhand, the Hazaribagh National Park has an abundance of wild animals like the wild boar, sambar, nilgai, chital, sloth bear, tiger and panther. Sighting of wild boar, sambar, nilgai, cheetal, and kakar is assured especially near the waterholes at dusk. Tigers being less in number-14 according to the 1991 census-are difficult to sight. The sanctuary stretches over 184 square km of undulating country and steep hills with dense tropical forests and grass meadows. A 111-km road in the sanctuary takes motorists to the remotest corners and to masonry towers. Strategically located, the road offers excellent opportunities for viewing the wilds. The sanctuary is surrounded by tribal habitation. There are many watchtowers that provide perfect hideouts to see the wildlife in its true natural habitat.

A trip to the park starts at 17:00 hours from the Divisional Forest Office, West Division, Hazaribagh and it ends at 22:00 hours. Charges are Rs.50 per head. Reservation can be made with the Divisional Forest Officer, West Division, Hazaribagh. Entry fees for vehicles inside the park are Bus (full)- Rs.75; Mini Bus- Rs.50; Station Wagon/Car/Jeep/Private Car- Rs.20; Motor Cycle- Rs.10 and Taxi- Rs.25. No charges are levied for guides provided with the tour operators and there is no extra fee for carrying a camera to the park. Firearms are not allowed inside the park.

Maithon 

Famous Maithon Dam is situated here. Maithon can also be translated as "Mother's Abode". Maithon has the biggest reservoir in the Damodar valley Corporation.  

Deoghar 

The House of the God, situated in the Santhal Parganas of Jharkhand, is a popular health resort and an important center of Hindu pilgrimage, having the ancient temple of Baba Baidyanath - one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India. For centuries, devotees of Lord Shiva, in the month of Shravan. undertake a rigorous 100-km pilgrimage on foot from Ajgaibinath (Sultanganj) to offer Holy Water to Baba Baidyanath. The pilgrimage is deemed complete with the homage paid at Basukinath, 43 km from Deoghar.

The rock garden 

The spot has been developed into an artificial garden, complete with water falls and sculptures, to attract tourists. The rock garden is awesome in its appearance, striking a balance between the creativity of modern and ancient man

CULTURE

Jharkhand is a place renowned for its copious cultural feats. Damodar, Mayurakshi, barakar, Koyal, sankh, flows through out the region. These ameliorate the state with the bounty of flora and fauna. Vananchal, as it is popularly known , is also famous for its mineral and forest resources. 

Jharkhand is a newly formed state, which has been segregated from Bihar. It, thus, witnessed transmigration of various people from west Bengal and Bihar, retaining their individual cultural traits intact. Thus this conglomeration of tribal culture thus ameliorates the culture of Jharkahand. Music , festivals, handicrafts, dance and other salient cultural elements cuisine and lifestyle of Jharkhandis corroborate the above proclamation.

Festivals 
The culture of Jharkhand stands nowhere without its rich treasure of ebullient festivals. The festivals like Sarhul, Karma, Sohrai, Badna, Tusu, Id, X-mas, Holi, Dushahra etc are celebrated in Jharkhand with loads of fun and frolic. 

 Sarhul is observed at the spring time when the tribes appease the village gods and sought their protection and safety. Flower Sarhul is given as offerings; it also symbolizes friendship and brotherhood .The tribal priest disperses these flowers to every village household. 
Badna is a popular festival held during `Kartik Amavashya`. Animals are worshipped acknowledging their contributions to the society and also to pacify their destructive quality. The songs of this festival are popular as Ohira.  

Tusu is observed as the common festival celebrating harvest time during winter season in the last day of the month of `Poush`. Rites and customs related to this festival are diligently maintained by the locales. 

Held on the first day of the month of `Magh`, Hal Punhya is a winter festival celebrating the starting of ploughing. The day also symbolizes time to accumulate good luck and fate Rohin is probably the foremost folk festival . It symbolizes the growth of the sowing seeds in the landing field . No dance or song is composed for this festive occasion. Another festival popular among the tribes is Bhagta Parab, the festival for the devotees. Here the tribes worship `Budha Baba` and it is celebrated in the end of spring or in the beginning of summer season. 

 

HISTORY

1765 - Successful military mobilization to bring Santhal Pargana under British rule
1772-80 - Paharia revolt

1780-85 - Tilka Manjhi led the tribal revolt and managed to injure British army chief

1785 - Tilka Manjhi hanged to death in Bhagalpur

1795 - 1800 - Tamar revolt

1797 - Munda revolt under the leadership of Vishnu manaki

1798 - Chaur revolt in Birbhum Bankura

1798-99 - Bhoomij revolt of Manbhoom

1800-02 - Munda revolt under the stewardship of Dukhan Manaki of Tamar
 
 1819-20 - Munda revolt in Palamu under the leadeship of Bhukan Singh
 
 1832-33 - Khewar revolt under the leadership of Bhagirath, Dubai Gosai and Patel Singh
 
 1833-34 - Bhumij revolt under the leadership of Ganga narain of Birbum
 
1855 - Santhals waged war against the permanent settlement of Lord Cornwallis 
 
1855-60 - During late 1850’s Sidhu had accumulated about Ten Thousands Santhals to run parallel govt. against British rule. The basic purpose was to collect taxes by making his own laws. British govt. had announced an award of Rs. Ten Thousand to arrest Sidhu and his brother Kanhu. This movement remained very active in Kahalgaon and Raniganj.
 
1856 - Police brigade was constituted
 
1856-57 - Martyr Sahid Lal, Vishwanath Shahdeo, Sheikh Bhikhari, Ganptrai and Budhu Veer led a movement against the British gov. in the sepoy mutiny
 
1874-99 - This period is famous for Birsa movement
 
1874 - Kherwar movement shot into fame under the leadership of Bhagirathi manjhi
 
1881 - Kherwar movement started
 
1895-1900 - Launching of ULGLAN under the leadership of Birsa
 
1912 - Bihar bifurcated from Bengal and some parts of Chotanagpur merged into Bengal
 
1913 - Constitution of Chotnagpur unati samaj
 
1914 - Tana Bhajgat movement started which had the participation of more than 26000 tribals
 
1915 - Publication of Adivasi titled magazine started
 
1929 - Simon commission presented with a memorandum which demanded the information of Jharkhand state
 
1936 - Orissa was created as a separate state
 
1947 - On Dec. 28 All India Jharkhand Party came into inception
 
1951 - Jharkhand party was elected to Vidhan Sabha as a main opposition party
 
1969 - Shibu Soren founded the Sonat Santahl Samaj
 
1971 - A.K.Roy founded the Marxist M.C.C to demand the separate Jharkhand state
 
1973 - N.E.Horo named his party as Jharkhand Party and on March 12th he presented the then Prime Minister a memorandum for separate Jharkhand state
 
1977 - Jharkhand party proposed for separate Jharkhand state which included not only Chotanagpur and Santhal Pargana of Bihar but adjoining area of Bengal
 
1978 - The convention of All India Jharkhand Party was held on May 21
 
1978 - June 9 came to co-memorated as Birsa day
 
1980 - Establishment of Jharkhand Kranti Dal
 
1986 -September 25, All Jharkhand Students Union gave its first call for Jharkhand bandh , it was a huge success
 
 1987 - Call for boycott of Independence day . The home minister of India directed the bihar government to prepare a report on detailed profile of all districts of Chotnagpur and Santhal Pargana
 
 1989 - 72 hours of economic blockade by AJSU was total success
 
1989 - 6 days of economic blockade by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha was success
 
1994 - On Jan 6 Laloo Prasad Yadav declared in Ranchi that Jharkhand devlopment autnomous council bill will be passed in budget session
 
 1995 - Jharkhand area autonomous council was formed which comprised of 18 districts of Santhal Pargana and Chotnagpur and Shibu Soren was nominated as the Chairman
 
1997 - June , Bihar government sanctioned 24 Crores for conducting the elections of Jharkhand Autonomous Council
 

1997 - July , Shibu Soren offered support to minority government of Laloo Prasad Yadav with a condition of a separate Jharkhand bill in the assembly
The Year 2000 August 2 - The bill to create a separate state of Jharkhand to be carved out of Bihar was passed in Lok Sabha by voice with two key allies of ruling NDA strongly opposing the measure and the opposition Rashtriya Janta Dal and the CPI - M demanding it to be referred to a parliamentary committee. The long cherished demand of people of the region was fulfilled, the celebration is on through out the Jharkhand region.

August 11 - Parliament today approved the formation of Jharkhand when the Rajya Sabha passed by voice - vote the Bihar reorganisation bill 2000 to carve out the new state out of Bihar's northern region.

August - 25 - President Mr. K.R. Narayanan approved the Bihar reorganisation bill 2000. 
 
 October - 12 - The center has issued the gazette notification starting November 15 to be the appointed date for the formation of new Jharkhand Government.

The 28th state of the Indian Union

The 28th state of the Indian Union was brought into existence by the Bihar reorganization Act on November 15, 2000 - the birth anniversary of the legendary Birsa Munda. 
Jharkhand is famous for its rich mineral resources like  Coal (32% of India), Iron, Copper (25%of India) Uranium, Mica, Bauxite, Granite, Gold, Silver, Graphite, Magnetite, Dolomite, Fireclay, Quartz, Fieldspar, etc. Forests and woodlands occupy more than 29% of the state which is amongst the highest in India.
 Ashutosh Choudhary