Tourism in Ranchi district incorporates a number of places of interest comprising of the temples, waterfalls and several gardens. The waterfalls and forests add to the scenic beauty of the region; not to forget the green hills as well. In fact, the city of Ranchi is often referred to as the City of Falls and Forest.
Pilgrimage Toruism in Ranchi District
Ranchi Hill and Pahari Mandir are some of the landmarks of Ranchi Town. The Lord Shiva temple is situated on the top of the hill also known as Pahari Mandir. At the bottom of the hill is Ranchi Lake. Ranchi Lake was excavated by Colonel Onsely in 1842.
There is also the Jagannathpur Temple that is 10 km apart from Ranchi town. Jagannathpur temple was built in 1691 and resembles the Puri temple in its architectural style of. Rath yatra similar to Puri is held every year.
The Sun Temple was built by Sanskriti Vihar headed by Sitaram Maroo. It is situated at a distance of 40 kms on Ranchi Tata Road. It is built in the form of a Chariot with 18 wheels drawn by 7 white horses. It is surrounded by a pond which is used by devotees during Chhath Puja for worshipping of Sun.
Angrabari (Amreshwar Dham) is a temple consisting of the deity of Lord Shiva, Lord Rama and Sita, Lord Hanuman and Lord Ganesha. It is situated near Khunti at a distance of about 40 kilometres from Ranchi.
Nature Tourism in Ranchi District
Gonda Hill and Rock Garden are located at a distance of about 4 kilometers from Ranchi town on Ranchi Kanke Road. Rock garden is carved out of the rocks of Gonda Hill. At the base of the Hill is Kanke dam. The Rock Garden is a picturesque picnic spot.
Hundru Water Falls is one of the most picturesque falls surrounding Ranchi. It is 45 kms from Ranchi on Ranchi-Purulia District Road. Here, the Subarnarekha River falls from a height of 320 feet. The pools at the bottom of the falls are favourite picnic and bathing spots.
Jonha Falls is also known as Gautamdhara. It is around 40 Kms from Ranchi. It is approachable by both roadways and railways. The fall can be admired by descending around 500 steps. There is a tourist rest house which contains Lord Buddha temple. The river Kanchi flows nearby.
Dassam falls is 34 kms from Ranchi on Ranchi-Tata Road near a village called Taimara. Here the Kachni River falls from an altitude of 144 feet. It is also known as Dassam Gagh.
Panch Gagh falls is on Ranchi- Chakradharpur Road about 6 kms from Khunti. This fall consists of five streams which fall from a good height.
Hirni falls is another beautiful waterfall amidst forests about 70 km from Ranchi.
Birsa Jaivik Udyan is another garden that is situated at a distance of 16 km from Ranchi in Ranchi- Ramgarh Road near Ormanjhi. Many species of animals, trees and plants can be seen here. However, most significant amongst these is the Morhabadi Hill famous or the Tagore Hill. The elder brother of Rabindranath Tagore had built a house (Shantidham) on the hill. At the bottom of the hill is the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram.
Leisure Tourism in Ranchi District
Machli Ghar is a fish aquarium and is situated in front of Governor House. It has many species of fishes. Besides this, the Muta Crocodile Breeding Centre is situated at a distance of 23 km from Ranchi on Ranchi-Ramgarh Road near Ormanjhi. There are around 50 crocodiles.
On the other hand, McCluskigunj is famous for European style bungalows and a tribal museum. In order to know better the history and culture of Ranchi district a visit to Tribal Research Institute and Museum would be quite helpful. It is located in Morhabadi. It contains evidences that help in mapping the tribal culture of Chotanagpur plateau.
