10 Reasons We’re Loving Jharkhand This Monsoon Season

Jharkhand, the land of forests, is an oft underrated destination for short getaways. Here are 10 reasons to visit Jharkhand right now. By Pallavi Mehra

This is the ‘Land of Waterfalls’

Home to some of the highest waterfalls in the region, Jharkhand is rightly called the ‘land of waterfalls’. Lodh Falls, at a height of around 150 metres, is the highest waterfall in the state and lies ensconced in the forests of Latehar. Other popular waterfalls are Hundru Falls, Johna Falls, Dassam Falls, Panchghagh Falls, and Hirni Falls.

This is An Untapped Adventure Destination

Almost three-fourth of Jharkhand’s land is covered by forests, making it a natural destination for adventure sports like trekking, rock climbing, mountain biking, paragliding, canoeing, and kayaking. Sikidiri and Dasam Falls on the outskirts of Ranchi are popular spots for seasonal trekkers, while Jamshedpur, Deoghar and Giridih are ideal for aero sports.

The Emphatic Tribal Music 

Home to more than 30 tribal communities, Jharkhand has a unique cultural identity. One of the most exciting dances of Jharkhand is the Chhou Naach, where performers don colourful masks and dance around fire poles. Take a tour of local villages to get acquainted to traditional art forms such as bull painting, body painting, fresco painting, and stone cutting.

The Delicious Cuisine

You won’t believe us unless you tried it: Litti Chokha, Malpua, Thekua, and Mitha Khaja, the popular food items in Jharkhand, taste better in monsoon. Most meals are cooked in mustard oil, which gives the dishes its characteristic aroma. Complement these with a hot cup of tea and you’re pretty much set.

This is a City of 1000 Gardens

The historic city of Hazaribagh, which is a city of a thousand gardens, has transformed itself into a health resort town. A visit to the Hazaribagh National Park, home to tigers, panthers, different species of deer, wild boar, is a wonderful way to educate children about wildlife.

Temple Architecture

The town of Deoghar has numerous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Some of its most famous temples include Baba Baidyanath, which is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India, and Basukinath Temple and Naulakha Mandir.

Revisiting History

The Palamu Forts are two forts that date back to pre-Chero dynasty. These forts lie at a distance of 20 kms from each other—one is situated on a hill and the other on the plains. The architecture is Islamic in style with inscriptions in Sanskrit.

The Impressive Rock Structures

The Rock Garden in Ranchi is truly picturesque, with varied forms of sculptures, waterfalls, and rock formations. You can also check out the Birsa Zoological Park and Deer Park for a stroll in the evening.

Watch a River Turn Into a Sheet of Gold

Drive to the Magnolia Point in Netarhat Hills to watch River Koel turn into a sheet of gold during sunset. The sunset point has been named after a British girl, Magnolia, who plunged death on horseback at the site.

Wildlife Spotting

Jharkhand is home to several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks including India’s first tiger reserve, The Betla National Park. The Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary, and Palamu National Park are some of the popular destinations for wildlife safari.