Places to see in Ranchi

Ranchi offer tourists a confluence of a congenial ecology with the all the facilities of a city on its economical stride.  The city has emerged over the years as a holistic and complete hill station. The wonderful part of Ranchi is that despite the concentration of industrial and commercial centers in the past years the city still maintains itself as a wonderful destination that has been untarnished and non negated to the effects of life on the fast lane. Very few destinations have the proclivity to retain the same.



The places to visit in Ranchi are:

Jagnath temple- This is one of the holiest and at the same time sacred of all shrines in the city of Ranchi, visited by tourists and pilgrims from all over.  This temple was constructed in the 17th century by the then ruler of the king of Barkagarh, Jagannathpur Thakur Ani Nath Shahdeo. Located at about 10km from the city the temple is situated on a hilltop next to Firyalal Chowk. This temple was built by the king realizing the needs and the want of the people who desired a place for worship. Another reason for the temple construction was to create and to secure in the minds of the people the faith and the belief of Hinduism. The temple architecture is similar to the Jagnath Temple in Puri and can well be called a miniature of the same. The temple longed remained an important part of the people’s lives in the year 1990 however the temple structure collapsed and was in a deplorable condition. The temple with the efforts of patrons and the intervention of the state government of Bihar (before reorganization) was renovated and opened again for public veneration in 1992. The temple is famed for the Rath Yatra that is conducted every year. Devotees flock with favor and devotion to the temple and ask blessing and attain favors from the Lord.  This devotion continues and seems to grow by every passing year.

Sun temple- The Surya temple or the Temple of the Sun at Ranchi is one of the most revered and sacrosanct places of worship in the city of Ranchi. The architectural style of the temple is considered nothing less than a marvel in its self.  The temple façade is fashioned in the form of a chariot driven by seven horses in the front. There are nine wheels on each side of the chariot of the temple.  The Chariot is followed by the main buildings that house the sanctum. The environment in and around the temple is one of the most sacrosanct and at the same time is also plush green with vegetation that is well maintained. Another feature and ineffaceable part of the Sun temple is the pound of the temple. The temple pound is considered sacred and holy and as such tourists come and take a dip in the holy pound.  The belief is performing this act of taking a dip in the holy sanctum they are completely washed away form their sins and is considered as an act of penance. A beautiful Dharamshala is also under construction to cater to the needs of the tourists and pilgrims. The fervor and the devotion of the people visiting this temple is ceaseless and the numbers that flock very year are a testimony to the same.

Rock Garden- The Rock Garden is a preferred destination for tourists visiting Ranchi. This garden situated at about  4km form the town of Ranchi is one of the most picturesque and  beautiful locations in the city. The rock garden was formed as a result of carving out the rocks of Gonda hill and hence is considered one of the best places to visit.  The placid environment and the rock cut form formation may be mistaken to be ancient and at the same natural, however these are all entirely constructed and manmade. The garden is laid out in plush green surroundings with the rock carvings and hence tourists come here to relax, and particularly from the afternoon towards the fall of dusk. The rock garden exhibit a fine example of modern art  that is offers an outlook and convergence of natural settings with a feel of the distant past.

Ranchi Lake- This is a must place to visit while visiting the city of Ranchi. Situated centrally in the city of Ranchi, the lake was excavated by British agent Colonel Onsley. The lake has placid environment with facilities. Tourists can avail of facilities for boating. Visitors can also take a walk along the banks of the lake and at the same time there are also benches for sitting. The park is also frequented specially towards the evenings. The Ranchi Municipal Corporation at present has been in the process of revamping and changing the entire outlay of the lake and improving the facilities for visitors as per the plans and conception of the Deputy Commissioner Madhav Jha.

Tagore hill- Positioned at about 4 kms north of the city of Ranchi, Tagore hill is situated on a sentinel. The hill was christened after the brother and the Tagore family. The Brother of Rabindranath Tagore bought a plot of land in the hills after his first stay in the year 1908. The quaintness and the quietness of the hills fascinated even the writer Rabindranath Tagore who penned some of his works at the estate here. Since this place is associated with the history of the place this hill came to called as Tagore hill.

Nakshatara Van- Literally meaning the garden of stars this verdant garden is situated centrally in the town and is located next to the palace of the Governor.  The area is a complete manmade forest and as such certainly gives an opinion of natural ecology and ecosystem. This place was constructed by the State Government of Jharkhand. It houses 27 plants and is planted according to the 27 planets of astrological sciences. There are children's parks, gardens, artificial hillocks, waterfalls and a musical fountain, besides a garden containing over 40 selected medicinal plants.

Dassam Falls- This is situated at about 40 km from Ranchi. The cascading falls fall from a height of 144 meters and is situated in the DasamGarh and hence the name Dassam Falls.  This is one of the quaintest and the quietest placid locations and is bordered by verdant locations. This fall has created the Dasham falls, which is bordered with verdant landscapes. The time between February and April is considered as an ideal period to visit the place. However tourists are warned against taking a bath in or near the falls and if done so that too with caution.

Panchgarh- about 40 kms from Ranchi near Khunti, Panch Ghagh is a lovely picnic spot amidst lush green forests. It is the collective name for a group of five waterfalls (punch Ghagh in the dehatl tongue) formed in a row due to the breaking up of the Banai river. Cemented walkways connect the different cataracts, of which stream 2 is the most popular while 5 is the biggest, though a bit inaccessible. You can walk down from the tourist shelter to the base of stream 2.

Machli Ghar- This is also a preferred tourist destination and is an aquarium situated near the Governors Palace.  The Aquarium is hot spot specially for those who are aquatic lovers and even tourists enjoy visiting the place for the collection of a wide variety of fish and flora belonging to the aquatic kingdom.  This place is exotic and as such visited by tourists.

Muta Crocodile breeding center- The Muta Crocodile breeding center is a specialized and  well maintained  ecosystem for crocodiles. Located at about 23 kilometers from the city of Ranchi the breeding center has about 50 crocodiles.

Birsa Javik Udyan- This is situated at a distance of 16 km from Ranchi is a known for a enriched ecosystem. The Birsa Javik Udyan is home a wide variety of flora and plants that are classified and documented in the database, apart from that there are also a wide variety of animals. Tourists and travelers can get a dedicated view of the entire region with the help of an expert.

Mc Cluskigunj- This area is also known for the European palatial mansion that was set up in the region during the British raj.  This land is isolated completely form the village as a per an agreement that warranted that the Anglo inhabitants to use the land for the habitation. There is also a mansion that is named   Mc Cluski the property dealer who had and exclusive position of the land.  There is also a museum situated next to the estate.  This museum is a tribal museum that has artifacts pertaining to the original tribals and also records about the history of the region. There are been plans that have aimed for the revamp and the restoration of the place undertaken by the RMC and the efforts are on top increase the utility and the value of this place.

Ranchi is certainly a holistic holiday destination that has all the makings of a good, fulfilling and enriching holiday. The amiable ecology and the prospects offered make this place truly worth visiting.