Ranchi, the picturesque capital of Jharkhand is bounded by Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh in the west, West Bengal in the east, Odisha in the south, and Bihar in the north. Thriving on the banks of the Subarnarekha River, the city is famous for its scenic beauty and natural landscapes – lush green forests, hillocks and rock formations, and spectacular waterfalls. Its hilly topography earned it the title of a ‘hill station’ during the British rule. Besides being located in the Chota Nagpur plateau region, Ranchi serves as a major industrial centre in eastern India, ideal for mineral-based industries.
Things to do in Ranchi
Given the number of waterfalls adorning the city, you should definitely visit them all and relax dipping your feet in the cool waters. You can explore the numerous temples dedicated to Hindu gods, Lord Shiva, Jagannatha, and the Sun God, and marvel at the wonderful architecture. Nature and animal lovers can go on a safari at the wildlife sanctuary to witness some of the rare species of flora and fauna.
Tourist attractions in Ranchi
Some of the best tourist attractions in and around Ranchi include the Jonha Falls, Dassam Falls, Hudru Falls, Hirni Falls, Ranchi Lake, Topchanchi Lake, Kanke Dam, Tagore Hill, Pahari Mandir, Shanti Dham, Nakshatra Van, Birsa Munda Biological Park, and Sun Temple, among others.
Places to shop in Ranchi
Jharcraft Megastore, Nalanda Handicrafts, and Kusum Emporium make for great shopping junctions if you are looking to buy souvenirs, like handicrafts, metal artefacts and wooden figurines, leather articles and goods made of terracotta, bamboo and cane. Firayalal Chowk is the ideal place to shop for fashionable clothes and accessories. The Upper Bazaar locality is a one-stop destination for a variety of textiles and jewellery while the Lower Bazaar is famous for cheap electronics. If you are a bookworm, drop by at Pustak Path to view a collection of bestselling books. Ranchi also has a few fancy malls where one can purchase high-end brands. The popular ones are Spring City Mall, The Galaxia Mall, and JD Hi Street Mall.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Ranchi and explore its surroundings is between October and March.
Modes of transport
Local buses and auto-rickshaws are the most convenient and economical way of travelling across the city. Tourists can also book rented cars at reasonable rates to get around more comfortably.
Weather in Ranchi
Summers are unbearably hot in Ranchi between March and June. The temperature is likely to exceed 40 degrees Celsius during this period, particularly in May. The city receives its share of rainfall in monsoon between July and September. Winters (December to February) are quite cold with temperatures dipping to 10 degrees Celsius.
Airport in Ranchi
Birsa Munda Airport (IATA: IXR) is the main airport in the city with a capacity of handling 125 out-bound and in-bound passengers. IndiGo operates multiple flights between Ranchi and other important cities in India from this airport. For more details, visit IndiGo’s website.