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| JHARKHAND |
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Breaking away from its parent state of Bihar in the year 2000 Jharkhand is gradually coming into its own as a tourist destination with its promise of cultural richness, natural beauty, spiritual and wilderness experiences in addition to the fantastic juxtaposition of its tribal and industrial history. Flanked by Chhattisgarh in the west, Uttar Pradesh to the north and Orissa to the south it enjoys a rich mosaic of tribal life dominated by ancient communities such as the Ho, the Santhal and the Oraon. Jharkhand is a dazzling world of contrasts. It made its fortunes from its great mineral wealth -coal, copper, iron, uranium, mica, bauxite, granite, dolomite, quartz, gold, silver and feldspar- giving rise to its great industrial towns such as the mining centre of Dhandbad-but almost 29 per cent of the state is under forest cover-home to its ethnic communities and earning it its alternative name -Vanaanchal or the land of forests.
If you want to uncover its industrial history head for Jamshedpur set up by India's world-famous industrial family the Tatas. Follow up the tour with visits to steel town Bokaro and coal town Dhanbad with its Central Mining Research Station and Central Fuel Research Institute and Mining College. The gorgeous wilderness areas of the Betla/Palamau and Hazari Bagh Wildlife Sanctuaries are home to a wealth of wildlife and punctuated with relics of Jharkhand's ancient past while Netarhat the Raj-era hill station lures you with its fabulous vistas. Kick off your tour from the gateway town of the Ranchi, Jharkhand's capital rich with verdure and colonial nuances.
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| ACCESS |
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Ranchi, Jharkhand's capital is an important gateway to many of Jharkhands' holiday destinations. It has good air, rail and road connections with New Delhi,
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Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Patna. Taxi and bus services are available for onward connections to the top holiday destinations in the state.
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| GRAND TOUR |
Ranchi
Ensconced in the verdant hilly expanses of the Chhotanagpur Plateau enjoys balmy climes and offers access to a host of thundering waterfalls -all within easy reach of this Jharkhand's First City. Chief amongst those entranced by its natural beauty and congenial environs were the family of legendary Poet-Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, whose brother Jyotindranath set up home on Moharbadi Hill. Some of Tagore's most memeorable moments of creativity were spent here, when he visited. You can enjoy some of the most enticing cityscapes from this hilltop. Leisurely picnics at Kane Dam continue to bring in the residents and visitors who come to enjoy the amusement park and landscaped rock garden located here. Trail around town spotting its colonial heritage frozen forever in its architecture, but don't forget to enjoy some quiet moments in the Birsa Munda Jaivik Udyan the Botanical Garden - rich in herbs and rare plants, at Ormanjhi (20km). Head out a bit further to Munda where the children will be mesmerized by the crocodiles at the breeding farm. The waterfalls around Ranchi too are well worth a visit, especially during the post-monsoon period when they are their spectacular best. Jonha Dhara or Goutamdhara joins the stunning Kanchi River on the road to Purlia.The Hundru Falls are just 45km away from Ranchi and 40km away are the Dassam Falls. On the way to Chaibasa, another popular spot spend some time at Hirni Falls(75km) and Panchghaga Falls. If you have the time don't miss the Lodh, Khunti, Sadni and Sugabandh waterfalls accessible from them from Netraghat or Betla.
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Deogarh
This ancient pilgrimage point is renowned for its Baidynath Dham situated in the Santhal Parghanas The Hindu shrine of Shiva-Baidyanath is a colourful sight during the major religious festivals. Another pivotal point is the Shiva temple at Harila Joria,a popular tourist attraction. Trikut ,where the Mayurakshi River originates attracts many tourists.
Parsnath Hill
This old hill is home to several time-steeped Jain temples with the most the most ancient going back to 1775 and revered by both the Jain and Santhal tribalcommunity. The temple for the Santhals worship it as the home of their hill deity or Marang Buru and hold colourful celebrations during Baisakhi.
Hazari Bagh Sanctuary
Estanblished in 1955 this beautiful 184 sq km sanctuary in the hills of the Chottanagpur Plateau is home to tigers, panthers, wild boar, sambar, nilgai, chital, sloth bear and many other avi-fauna and reptile denizens of a wilderness habitat. Easily accessible from Ranchi (90 km) this great expanse of tropical forest is a popular getaway for both residents of Ranchi as well as tourists. You can contact the the divisional forest office at Hazari Bagh town (20km away) for their well-run park safaris. Also worth visiting in the park are Palaeolitic remains and rock-art caves discovered here. The tribal museum has on display several archaeological artefacts. For expansive vistas of great beauty head for Kanerhi Hill (5km) and also worth the trips are to dams- Taliya Dam (55km) and Konar Dam (51km). |
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