Jharkhand
If you love nature and want to explore new lands which offers you serene natural beauty in India the state of Jharkhand situated on the eastern part of the county should figure in your travel itinerary. It is one of the most newly formed states of India and was once an integral part of Bihar. You need to pack your bags and set off towards this wonderful state which is embellished with pristine waterfalls, placid lakes, gorgeous mountains, deep forests, outstretched plains and meandering rivers. It is also one of the most resourceful states of India as there are plenty of natural resources which are found here. The government of Jharkhand is taking a host of new steps related to the development of tourism in the state. If you want to be part of a dynamic India where the majestic beauty of Mother Nature blends quintessentially with an ancient tribal culture, one of your ideal choices should certainly be Jharkhand.
Location
Once a part of Bihar, Jharkhand is situated on the eastern part of India. The states bordering Jharkhand are Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Orissa respectively. The Chotanagpur plateau is one of the prime geographical landmarks of the state and once you embark in Jharkhand you will find plenty of forest areas. The location of Jharkhand also exhibits a number of meandering rivers some of which can be mentioned as Brahmani, Damodar and the Subarnarekha. If you explore the soil of Jharkhand you will find that it is mainly red, sandy, laterite and black. Ranchi is the capital city of the state and an important business center. The total area of the state of Jharkhand extends to 79,714 square kilometers.
Places to see
Jharkhand is a wonderful tourist destination and there are a variety of places which you can check out in the state. You can explore some of the best tourist spots which are visited by people from all around India and the rest of the world. You get the opportunity to visit the various natural wonders which makes Jharkhand such a unique state in terms of places to see.
Chotanagpur: The Chotanagpur plateau area is one of the topmost geographical landmarks of the state. It has a serene presence amidst the lap of nature and if you can feel the charm of its exquisite beauty which speaks for itself. It is also a place of great historical significance and the center of the tribal culture of the state. You can check out the various tribal villages which are located in the remote plateau areas.
Hazaribagh: A place which means a collection of thousand gardens Hazaribagh is one of the scenic tourist spots of the state. It stands at an elevation of 2019 feet and has been turned into an attractive hill resort. You can explore the exotic plant and animal life of the mountainous areas and also pay a visit to the holy Parasnath temple.
Ranchi: It is the capital city of the state and awaits your arrival with a variety of tourist attractions. The different industries of the place have also grown over the years making it an important commercial center. Once you are in Ranchi you should not miss out on the exquisite Hundru falls.
It falls directly on the meandering Subarnarekha River and rushes down from an amazing height of 320 feet. The Kanke dam is also one of the most popular places to visit in Ranchi. Situated on the Gonda hills it is a very quiet place and ideal for all nature lovers. There are many beautiful birds which come here for rest. The Rock Garden of Ranchi is also a very tranquil place and surrounded by a huge lake. You can come here to enjoy nature’s serenity at its best.
Jamshedpur: Also known as Tatanagar, Jamshedpur is one of the important cities of the state which has a huge industrial presence. But you can pay a visit to the various tourist centers of the city. The Dimna lake area is one of the popular places which is an ideal picnic spot. You can step in to the Jubilee park area which is adorned with a variety of stunning flowers. It was created by the Tata group as a part of its corporate social responsibility initiative. The wildlife sanctuary in Dalma is also a place worth visiting. You can check out the fantastic wildlife which is found in the place.
Bokaro: It is known as the steel city and if you are religious minded the Jagannath temple is one of the places of tourist interest. It looks exactly similar to the one in Puri.
Betla National Park: The Palamau sanctuary or the Betla National Park is one of the prime tourist spots of the state. It is just enormous in terms of size and extends to an area of 979 square kilometers. It has a very good collection of Indian tigers and the first Indian tiger census was conducted here. Apart from tigers it also has other exotic wild animals like deers, antelopes, nilgai, porcupine etc. The birdlife of the sanctuary is crowded with colorful species like peafowl, black partridge, hornbill, quail etc.
How to reach
You can come to Jharkhand at your own will as it is very well connected by air, railways and road. Although it is a very newly formed state, it offers you an upgraded communication network. You can come here from the different parts of India and the world.
By Air: You can easily come to Jharkhand by flights. Ranchi and Jamshedpur have small airports and many of the leading private airlines fly here regularly.
By Rail: Jharkhand is also very well connected by railways. Ranchi and Jamshedpur are the most important stations. South Eastern railway operates its regular trains here. Ranchi is also well connected to the important city of Hazaribagh.
By Road: The state of Jharkhand is very well connected with the National highway network. You can come here from the highway nos. 22 and 33 easily. Since it is an industrial region the roadway network is very good.
What to do
Enjoy Wildlife: You can enjoy the huge variety of wildlife which is present in the beautiful state of Jharkhand. The Dalma hilly region and Betla National park provides you with the opportunity to see different types of animals ranging from elephants to birds.
Embark on Trekking: The state of Jharkhand offers you a superb variety of trekking adventures. You can travel to the Giridh and Dalma forest regions which are visited by enthusiastic trekkers.
Play Adventure Sports: You can participate and enjoy thrilling adventure sports like paragliding, parasailing, river rafting and diving in Jharkhand. The mountains, lakes and hilly areas provide you with a perfect ambiance to set your adrenaline rushing. You can also take a cool bath in the rivers after engaging in some nerve wracking action.
Shopping: You can buy your favorite goods in the developed cities of Jamshedpur and Ranchi. You can get your favorite brands in the various shopping malls of the city. But if you want handicrafts, it is better to visit the villages in the districts.
Witness Tribal Culture: The glory of Jharkhand is reflected in its tribal culture. You should visit the various Santhal, Munda, Korwa villages to know more about the tribal culture. Check out their folk music and dances which is simply breathtaking.
Best time to visit
If you are planning a visit to the state of Jharkhand, the ideal time to visit is the months of October till April. The summers are scorching hot in the state and it should be avoided. During the monsoon there is moderate to heavy rainfall. It is very difficult to visit the hilly and mountainous areas during this time as landslides may occur. The winter months are the best time as the weather is both clear and pleasant.
History
The state of Jharkhand is replete with historical importance. It was actually an integral part of Bihar but reconstituted in the year 2000. The region had existed from the Mughal era when it was under the control of the Maharaja Jai Singh Deo. The name Jharkhand was given by the British who emerged in this region after 1765. The modern state of Jharkhand came into existence with a strong initiative from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha a political outfit. The tribal history and culture of Jharkhand is also enriching. Birsa Munda was one of the greatest revolutionaries of the state who fought against the British hails from the state.
Climate
The climate of Jharkhand is tropical in nature. The summers are very hot and reach up to a temperature of more than 50 degree Celsius. Heavy rainfall occurs in the monsoon season accompanied by thunderstorms. The cold season sets in the month of November and continues till the end of February. The winters are quite chilly in Jharkhand and in the hilly regions the temperature comes down to very low levels.
