Jharkhand is a state in India’s Eastern region. Jharkhand, though dry and hot, can fairly claim to be one of the most attractive parts of the Indian peninsula.
The scenery of the main plateau is most attractive with its undulations, detached abrupt hills, and forest tracts. To complete the attraction of the Jharkhand, the locals are a lovable and cheerful people.
Things To Do In Jharkhand
The state has great natural beauty, most parts being hilly and forested. It also has rich cultural traditions.
Photo by Public Resource Org / The tableau of Jharkhand passes through the Rajpath during the 59th Republic Day Parade in New Delhi
The indigenous people are Sadan (a local Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group) and Adivasis (tribals). The Sadan speak three local languages, Khortha in the North Chotanagpur subdivision, Sadri (Nagpuri) in the south Chotanagpur subdivision and Kurmali (Panch Pargania) in south-east Jharkhand.
The Sadan consist of various castes and tribes. The Adivasis (tribals) are divided into three main anthropological divisions, the larger consisting of the Austro-Asiatic ethnolinguistic groups of the Mundas, Santhals, Hos and some smaller tribes; the second group is Dravidian Oraon or Kurukh tribes.
Top Cities
Below are some of the most notable cities in Jharkhand.
- Ranchi — the capital of Jharkhand
- Bokaro — known as the Steel City, the most important industrial city in Eastern India
- Jamshedpur — famous for park and cricket stadium, a prominent industrial city
- Dhanbad — considered as the coal capital of India
- Giridih — Giridih, is headquarters of the Giridih district in Jharkhand. It is a mining town
- Hazaribag — home to Hazaribagh Lake and Hazaribagh National Park
Plan Your Travel
Jharkhand has three National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries with abundant wildlife, plenty of scared and religious places, waterfalls, hill stations, and coal and mineral mining sites.
National Parks and Wildlife
Photo: The Art of Travel Partners
- Betla National Park — one of India’s first national parks formed primarily for the protection of Tigers
- Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary
- Hazaribagh National Park — also called as the “Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary” is famous for spotting Sambhar, Nilgai, Chital, and Kakar at dusk and dawn near water sources
Nilgai (also known as Blue Bull) / Photo: The Art of Travel Partners
Places of Change
There are several towns in Jharkhand which have been frequented by people mostly from West Bengal for a change of climate, to recoup their health. Such places have commonly come to be known as places of change and these continue to attract such tourists.
- Ghatshila
- Giridih
- Madhupur
- Simultala
Hill Stations
- Netarhat
- Parasnath
- Ranchi Hill
- Trikut hill
Waterfalls
Photo by Smeet Chowdhury CC BY 2.0
- Hundru Falls – about 45 km(28 mi) from Ranchi, it falls from a height of 322 feet creating one of the highest waterfalls in the state
- Jonha Falls
- Dassam Falls
Pilgrim Places
- Baidyanath Temple, Deoghar
- Shikharji, Parasnath
- Parasnath Hills
- Rajrappa
- Sitagarha Hill, Marwateri Basin – the site of a major Buddhist shrine and stone carved stupa dating from the Mauryan Period
Coal Mines
Coal is found in several fields across Jharkhand. Below are the most prominent regions:
- Jharia
- Bokaro
- Karanpura
- Ramgarh
- Giridih
- Santhal Parganas
Large quantities of iron ore are found in Singhbhum. Fire-clay, mica and other minerals are also mined.
Language
Hindi is widely understood throughout the state. English is understood in the main cities by most young people.
The Khortha language spoken in North Chotanagpur subdivision, Sadri (Nagpuri) in South Chotanagpur subdivision and Kurmali (Panch Pargania) in south-east Jharkhand.
Oriya is also widely understood and spoken in Saraikela, and Bengali is spoken in the eastern parts of the state. Different tribal languages are spoken in different areas.
Get Here
Most of the road links into the state are from the north and the east. The western part is more mountainous and hence road links are less. Now links with the south and the west are also being developed.
The Grand Trunk Road (NH 2 Kolkata Delhi) cuts across the northern part of the state. NH 6 connecting Kolkata with western India enters the south-east corner of the state for a short span.
Ranchi, Bokaro, Jamshedpur, and Dhanbad are well connected through neighboring State and major cities.
The Howrah-Delhi main and Grand Chord lines cut across the northern part of the state. The Howrah-Mumbai lines go via Jamshedpur in the southern part of the state.
The Barkakhana-Sonenagar and other links on the western side are gaining in importance. Bokaro, Ranchi, Dhanbad, Tatanagar, Gomoh, Madhupur are the main railway station of Jharkhand.
Getting Around
Roads connect all the important cities and towns in the state. Railway links most cities within the state.
Local Cuisines
Traditional dishes are not available at the restaurants as they have not been commercialized. However on a visit to a local village in a remote area, one can get a chance to taste such exotic food. All preparation except the pickles and festive ones are low on oil and spices.
There are eateries in all cities and towns. Some of the “dhabas” along the highways offer fairly good food although the places may look doubtful.
If you are keen about local tastes try out balushais in the small sweetmeat shops. Those traveling in Jharkhand, particularly in winter, may look out for Tilkut a dry sweet savory.
November 17, 2018 1:43 pm
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