Jharkhand’s top tourism places: Deoghar, Shikharji and more!

Deoghar is an important religious place in Jharkhand state. It is home to one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga Shiva temples called Baidyanath temple.

The Baidyanath Dham temple becomes especially crowded and famous during the Hindu month of Shravan (typically July/August). During this month, millions of devoted pilgrims called Kanwariyas carry pitchers of holy water from sacred rivers to perform a ritual bathing of the Shiva linga at the temple. This ritual is known as Rudrabhishek.

Aside from its religious significance, Deoghar is also considered the cultural capital of the state of Jharkhand due to its rich cultural heritage and traditions.

Jamshedpur is the largest city in the state of Jharkhand. It is a well-planned and attractive city located near the beautiful Dalma Hills. Jamshedpur is home to one of the world’s largest steel manufacturing companies and was India’s first planned city.

The city was named after Jamshetji Tata in 1919, the founder of the Tata Group which established and still manages many of the city’s public services and infrastructure. Known as the ‘Steel City’, Jamshedpur symbolizes the benefits of industrialization for a developing nation.

As Jharkhand’s biggest city, some of the major attractions in Jamshedpur include the vast Jubilee Park which houses a zoo with tigers and leopards, the Bhuvaneshwari Temple situated on a hilltop, and the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary which is home to elephants. The city’s blend of industry and nature makes it a unique destination.

Ranchi is the capital city of the mineral-rich state of Jharkhand. Located at an altitude of 700 meters, it was once considered the summer capital of Bihar due to its pleasant weather, waterfalls, surrounding forests, and the beautiful Subarnarekha river flowing nearby.

While there are not many major tourist attractions within Ranchi itself, the city is becoming more popular with travellers thanks to improved flight connectivity and its natural surroundings. The evenings and nights tend to be quite pleasant weather-wise.

The city takes great pride in accounting for 40% of India’s total mineral reserves. Some of the top attractions in Ranchi include Ranchi Hill, Kanke Dam, Tagore Hill, Hudru Falls, Hatia Museum and the Tribal Research Institute and Museum.

Ranchi has a diverse variety of trees and wildlife. Rare tree species found here include Maugha, Sal and Simul. The city offers a blend of natural beauty and industrial/mining importance.

Betla National Park is a beautiful park situated in the hilly Palamau district, west of Ranchi in Jharkhand. The park covers a large area of undulating terrain where wild elephants roam freely through the dense forests. The diverse flora and fauna here is truly mesmerizing for visitors.

While tigers are relatively fewer in number, a visit to this ancient part of Jharkhand provides a unique glimpse into the rich tribal heritage of the state. The name Betla is an acronym representing the key wildlife – Bison, Elephant, Tiger, Leopard and Axis deer found here.

What makes this park distinct is the presence of two ancient forts located within its boundaries. A major highlight is being able to observe the wildlife from close range.

One of the most popular national parks in northeast India, Betla stretches across 979 sq km, with a core area of 232 sq km designated as one of India’s original 9 tiger reserves. Thanks to its diverse ecosystems, the park is home to an incredibly wide variety of animal and plant species.

If you’ve loved the cities of Ranchi and Kolkata, the town of Ghatshila in Jharkhand’s East Singhbhum district offers the best of both worlds.

Like Ranchi, Ghatshila is blessed with winding streams, serene waterfalls, and a tranquil natural setting amidst picturesque hills. At the same time, it captures the religious spirit and rich multicultural heritage reminiscent of Kolkata.

Ghatshila is a festive town where locals celebrate joyously together. Visiting allows you to not only immerse yourself in nature alongside mystical waterfalls but also pay respects to ancient temples honouring various deities.

Whether you seek the serenity of Ranchi’s natural scenery or the cultural vibrancy akin to Kolkata, Ghatshila provides an experience combining these two vastly different yet equally alluring aspects. It’s a destination that seamlessly blends nature’s magic with spiritual traditions.

Situated atop Parasnath Hill, the highest peak in the state of Jharkhand, Shikharji is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for followers of Jainism. Located in the rural Giridih district of eastern India, this sacred place holds immense significance in Jain traditions.

According to Jain beliefs, it is at Shikharji that 20 of the 24 revered Tirthankaras (spiritual leaders) attained moksha, or liberation from the cycle of rebirth. Several other Jain monks also achieved this state of enlightenment here, making Shikharji one of the most venerated pilgrimage destinations.

Rising to an elevation of 1,350 meters, Parasnath Hill on which Shikharji is located is the highest mountain in Jharkhand state. The sacred Jain temples and the mountain’s towering height make this a place of great religious importance that draws thousands of pilgrims every year.