Ranchi Travel Essentials

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"City of waterfalls"

Ranchi Tourism

Ranchi is the capital of mineral-rich state Jharkhand. Located at an altitude of 700 metres, Ranchi was once identified as the summer capital of Bihar owing to its altitude of 700 metres, waterfalls, surrounding forest and beautiful river Subarnekha flowing by. There are not many sightseeing spots in Ranchi, but due to better flight connectivity, natural surroundings of Ranchi are becoming popular among travellers. The weather here remains pleasant during evenings and night.

The city takes immense pride in accounting for the 40 per cent of the country’s total mineral reserves. The most popular places in this city include Ranchi Hill, Kanke Dam, Tagore hill and Hudru falls, Hatia Museum and Tribal Research Institute and Museum. The city has a wide variety of trees and wildlife, Maugha, Sal and Simul are some of the rare types of trees found here.

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The city of waterfalls

Situated on the Deccan plateau, Ranchi is a picturesque city that offers a rejuvenating view of hills, small rock formations and numerous waterfalls which give the city its nickname. A rising industrial hub, Ranchi exhibits a blend of various cultures and communities which are prevalent in their cuisine and festivals itself. The city is also known to inspire several works of Rabindranath Tagore evidence of which are still preserved in the Tagore Hills.

Culture of Ranchi

Ranchi has a vibrant culture which is a confluence of different tribes (old and new) and their traditional practices. The culture is influenced by ancient native tribals, Buddhist, the Hindu kings and the Mughals. People mostly practise agriculture or work in the mines due to the nature of the region. Rice and Wheat are the staple foods of Ranchi. The town is also known for various folk music, arts and dance forms such as Chhau and Santhal (named after the Santhal tribe). Chatth Puja is the most popular festival followed by Holi, Diwali, Basant Panchmi etc. You can also find tastefully done handiwork and beautiful wood carvings here. Local labour make use of bamboo and wood from the forests to make wicker baskets, rice huskers, mats, coasters etc. Pottery and Painting are another specialities of the region. Scroll Paintings or Paitkar painting is a popular form and is done by the tribals. Sohrai Art is another painting form depicting bulls, horned deities, nature etc., done by women during festivals or harvest time.

History of Ranchi

The district of Ranchi, located in the Chota Nagpur plateau, was initially inhabited by the Munda and Oraon races. The region was free of any external forces until the accession of Mughal king Akbar in 1585. The region was exploited for its resources for a long time under the Mughal rule until it came under the British Raj in 1765. The Maharaja of Ramgarh was appointed to look after the administration of the city. The change of rule, however, was unaccepted by the localities and so the British formed a new region (including Ranchi and the neighbouring towns) called the South- Western Frontier Agency. This fell under the direct rule of the Governor General of India. The district played a significant role during the Indian struggle for independence and was a strategic centre point for many movements. After independence, Ranchi was included in the Bihar state. But after the creation of Jharkhand in 2000, Ranchi became a part of the new state and was officially declared its capital.

Land of the Mundas

Previously known as the 'forest land', Ranchi is home to several tribes, mainly the Santhals and the Mundas. As a result, unique forms of music, art and cuisine can be found in this region. The tribal Pitkar paintings, wood and bamboo works found in this region attracts a lot of tourists to Ranchi.

Restaurants and Local Food in Ranchi

Ranchi provide a modest variety in its restaurants and local street food outlests and Dhabas. You can choose from local Jharkhand cuisine, a typical Indian menu and popular items of Chinese cuisine. One must indulge in the popular desserts as well as the Chaat found here.
Other than this one might try popular items of the state, such as Pua, Litti, Handia, Kanda, Aloo Chokha, Dubhni Roti and more.
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Suggested Itinerary for Ranchi

Day 1: Arrive in Ranchi and visit the Dassam Falls and Jonha Falls, the latter of which is a type of hanging valley falls. In the evening join the devotees in the Jagannath Temple and witness the beautiful panoramic site of the city from the high perched top deck. Appreciate the fine Kalinga style architecture and don’t forget to take back some of the Ayurvedic medicines outside the temple.

Day 2: Wake up early the next morning and set off to visit the famous Pahari Temple built on top of a hill lock. This is also the place where the freedom fighters were hanged to death. A bird’s eye view of the entire city is possible and this can be reached by taking a flight of around 300 steps. Proceed to the Rock garden post lunch and spend some quiet time with nature. In the evening, visit the mesmerizing Hundru Falls.

Day 3: You can dedicate the last day to visit the Birsa zoological park and the Tagore Hill, preferably at the time of sunset.

Best Time to Visit Ranchi

How to Reach Ranchi

How to Reach Overview

An emerging industrial hub, Ranchi is well connected to the rest of the country via airways and railways. A network of National Highways also connects Ranchi to major cities of India.

How to reach Ranchi by flight

The Birsa Munda Airport connects Kolkata, Patna, Mumbai, New Delhi, Bhubaneshwar and Bangalore via regular flights of various carriers. The nearest international airport is the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport located in Kolkata.

How to reach Ranchi by road

Situated on NH23 & NH33 Ranchi is directly connected to nearby cities like Patna, Jamshedpur and Kolkata via regular bus services.

How to reach Ranchi by train

The Ranchi Junction links Ranchi to major cities in the country via railways. A number of regular express and superfast trains are available between Ranchi and major cities across India.

Local transport in Ranchi

Travelling within the city is facilitated by hired taxis, auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws. One can also take a more economical option of travelling in shared autos. Being the capital city buzzing with activity, local transport facilities are very efficient here.

Most frequently searched routes to Ranchi

Route Name Distance Time
Delhi to Ranchi 1,231 km 19 hours 46 mins
Mumbai to Ranchi 1,705 km 1 day 6 hours
Kolkata to Ranchi 402 km 8 hours 3 mins
Bangalore to Ranchi 1,967 km 1 day 7 hours
Hyderabad to Ranchi 1,378 km 23 hours 39 mins
Pune to Ranchi 1,608 km 1 day 5 hours

Ranchi Photos

Ranchi, Jharkhand
Tagore Hill - Named After the Famous Poet Rabindra Nath Tagore
Ranchi Lake - Constructed in 1842, the Lake also provide Boating Facility
Hudru Falls - Cascade from a Height of 320 Feet

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photos

FAQs on Ranchi

Who should visit Ranchi?

Ranchi, being the capital of Jharkhand is perfect for a visit by people from other cities in Jharkhand and nearby cities in Orissa and West Bengal. Ranchi is an ideal choice for weekend trips.

What are the places near Ranchi?

The top places near to Ranchi are Hazaribagh which is 72 km from Ranchi, Bodh gaya which is located 153 km from Ranchi, Jamshedpur which is located 109 km from Ranchi, Purulia which is located 107 km from Ranchi, Gangtok which is located 554 km from Ranchi

What are the things to do in Ranchi?

The top things to do in Ranchi are Patratu Valley, Panch Gagh Falls, Birsa Zoological Park, Ranchi Lake, Sun temple, Ranchi, Topchanchi Lake. You can see all the places to visit in Ranchi here

What is the best way to reach Ranchi?

An emerging industrial hub, Ranchi is well connected to the rest of the country via airways and railways. A network of National Highways also connects Ranchi to major cities of India.
Read More

What is the local food in Ranchi?

Ranchi provide a modest variety in its restaurants and local street food outlests and Dhabas. You can choose from local Jharkhand cuisine, a typical Indian menu and popular items of Chinese cuisine. One must indulge in the popular desserts as well as the Chaat found here.
Other than this one might try popular items of the state, such as Pua, Litti, Handia, Kanda, Aloo Chokha, Dubhni Roti and more.
Read More

What is the best time to visit Ranchi?

November to February, during the winter months, is the best time to visit Ranchi, since the weather is pleasant, with some occasional cold nights. The summers in Ranchi can get extremely hot and humid, and the monsoons receive moderate rainfall. Therefore, the months of March to October should mostly be avoided, however, sometimes they come with their perks too. All in all, it’s never a wrong time to visit Ranchi, but tourism is at its peak during the winter.
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What is not so good about Ranchi?

Poor waste management, poor drainage systems, traffic.

What is famous about Ranchi?

Beautiful landscape.

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Popular Questions And Answers on Ranchi

Q. Which are the good budget hotels in Ranchi near railway station?

Holidify

5 years ago
Hotel Sunny, Janta Hotel, Hotel Amrit, Hotel Radiant are some of the famous Budget hotels near Ranchi Junction Railway Station. Take a look at the all the budget hotels in Ranchi - https://www.holidi (Read More)fy.com/places/ranchi/hotels-where-to-stay.html
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Ranchi Reviews

Your rating

Abhranil Sengupta

3 years ago
Excellent place to visit. Nestled in mountains and lush greenery and small villages that surmise the true essence of rural India. Must go, atleast once in a lifetime.

Sagar Jain

4 years ago
Also known as the City of Waterfalls, Ranchi has more to cater than just waterfalls. A bit underrated from the perspective of tourism, Ranchi has a lot of tourist spots. The Tagore hill, Jagannath Te (Read More)mple and Pahadi Mandir are great view points. Exploring the different waterfalls is a must when you are in Ranchi, but some of the notable and safe ones are Hundru, Jonah and Dasham falls. A few picnic spots to travel to with family include Panch Ghag, Rock Garden, Fun Castle, Deer Park, Dhurwa Dam and Nakshatra Van. The Patratu Valley is situated a few kilometers from the main city and is a beautiful tourist spot. Since Ranchi is my hometown, I have been to all of these places. For me, the best part about Ranchi is its weather, which is pleasant the whole year round.

Chitra Pandey

4 years ago
Ranchi is the capital of Jharkhand and it's so beautiful and pleasant city. Ranchi is the capital of Jharkhand, which feels mystical and it's so beautiful and pleasant city. The dense forests, waterf (Read More)alls, rivers, wilderness, ancient temples and the local culture remind us of unfulfilled travel longings. Ranchi is famous for its beautiful geography, hills, forest and of course waterfalls. Ranchi as the former summer capital of the British Empire in India, it is a great destination. You can take the help of a car rental service in Ranchi, this is the best option for visiting & sightseeing in Ranchi and nearby places.
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