13 Must-Visit Tourist Destinations In Ranchi For A Memorable Vacation (2024)
Apart from being the capital of Jharkhand, Ranchi is one of the most beautiful places in the state. As the city is located at an altitude of 2240 feet, the scenic view is quite gorgeous. Ranchi is located on the Chotanagpur plateau, and is quite famous in India for being rich in minerals. When you visit there, you will notice that the city is entirely covered in red soil. You will be surprised to know that more than 40 percent of India’s mineral reserve comes from Ranchi. Apart from mineral reserves and beautiful scenic beauty, Ranchi also has an extensive forest cover in Jharkhand. Throughout Ranchi’s forests, you will see different categories of trees, including Simul, Maugha, Sal, and others. Wild animals like Sambar, Chital, Hares, Nilgai, etc. are also visible in Ranchi’s forests.
There are many places to visit in Ranchi. If you are going there for the first time, it is quite easy to get confused. But by reading this blog, you will get to plan your tour itinerary without any problem. Here, we have compiled a list of the best places to visit in Ranchi. The tourist spots in Ranchi are both naturally beautiful and historically significant. To explore the town in-depth, you must keep at least three days in your hand.
Reaching Ranchi will be pretty easy for you as it has its airport and a fully-functioning railway station. Ranchi airport is well connected with flights from major Indian cities like Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, or Patna. The railway station in Ranchi is again well connected to almost all major cities in India. That is why Ranchi is pretty easily accessible to most tourists. Before visiting the city, it will be better for you to make a reservation at a hotel. As Ranchi is a popular tourist spot, finding a good hotel without prior booking can become difficult.
13 Must-Visit Tourist Destinations In Ranchi For A Memorable Vacation
The places mentioned in the following part of this blog are quite famous in Ranchi. Several travelers from all over the world visit these places in Ranchi throughout the year.
1. Tagore Hill
Tagore Hill is one of the most beautiful tourist spots in Ranchi. The original name of the mountain is Moradabad Hill, but later it was changed to Tagore Hill to commemorate India’s great poet, Rabindranath Tagore. As the poet spent a substantial amount of time in these hills, the name of the location was changed to Tagore Hill. When you reach the site, you will understand why Rabindranath Tagore loved to spend time there.
The locality’s serene atmosphere, along with the gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, makes a picturesque view. In case you are an adventure seeker, you will love Tagore Hill even more. You can take part in activities like trekking and rock climbing to explore the location. Apart from the hill, the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, located at the foothill, is also an important place to explore.
Address: Morabadi Road, Van Vrindavan Colony, Morabadi, Ranchi, Jharkhand 834008.
2. Jagannath Temple
Many of you are well-acquainted with the world-famous Jagannath Temple in Puri, but did you know that Ranchi also has a well-renowned Jagannath Temple? You will be more surprised when you will see the temple in Ranchi for the first time. The resemblance of the structure to that of the one in Puri is quite remarkable. This temple was founded in the 17th century and is located only 10 km away from Ranchi’s main city center.
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Jagannath Temple is quite popular among tourists and Hindu pilgrims. If you visit the temple during the time of Rathyatra, you will get to have a new experience. The temple is decorated at that time, and the devotees and priests carry on the journey of Lord Jagannath’s Rath. But remember, the area will be immensely crowded during that time. To reach the top-most point of the temple, you will have to climb up a lot of stairs. Try to wear sturdy yet comfortable shoes for this trip.
Address: Jagannathpur Chowk Khataal, Sector 1 Jagannathpur, Khataal, Dhurwa, Khataal, Jagannathpur, Ranchi, Jharkhand 834004.
Timings: 5 am to 12 pm and 3 pm to 6 pm.
3. Rock Garden
Located pretty close to the famous Kanke Dam, the Rock Garden is one of the must-visit places to see in Ranchi. This garden is entirely built using the rocks from Gonda Hill, and it is one of the unique places in the state. The structure inside the park looks a lot like the pyramids of Egypt. Apart from the said construction, there are varying numbers of statues and sculptures located inside the garden.
You will feel instantly calm and rejuvenated by spending some time inside the garden. The waterfalls located inside the park also make it more alluring. Most people visit there to have a nice picnic with their family or friends. You can also spend a lovely day in the rock garden by simply taking a stroll.
Address: Gandhi Nagar, Ranchi, Jharkhand.
4. Ranchi Lake
Ranchi Lake is one of the most beautiful tourist spots in Ranchi. This lake is situated at the foothills of Ranchi hill and was constructed in 1842. The British Colonel Onsely commissioned Ranchi lake and has been quite popular during the regency era as well. As the lake is immensely beautiful, tourists love to visit it. Throughout the entire day, Ranchi lake is flocked by travelers from all parts of the world.
As there are boating facilities available in the lake, you can explore it quite vividly by taking a boat ride. Or you can relax by the lake by having a lovely picnic with your loved ones. Jharkhand Tourism department must be praised for doing such well-maintenance of the lake. It is so clean that you will not even realize that it was built in another time. There is a Shiv Mandir located at the top of the hill, you can get the lake’s gorgeous view along with the city from there. Do not forget to click several photos while exploring Ranchi Lake.
Address: Upper Bazar, Ranchi, Jharkhand 834001.
5. Kanke Dam
As we have mentioned earlier, the Rock Garden is located quite close to the Kanke Dam; it will be more efficient for you to explore Kanke Dam while visiting Rock Garden. This dam is so beautiful that at the weekends, it is filled with tourists and locals. It is so calming and serene that you will have a great time spending your evening there.
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The dam is the primary water source for the entire city. But it is so well-maintained that it has become one of the most well-known tourist spots in Ranchi. As the gorgeous Ranchi Hill surrounds the dam, you will find the scenery mesmerizingly beautiful. We recommend going there in the evening as the sunset over there is to die for.
Address: Gonda Hills, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 834001.
6. Pahari Mandir
If you are a Hindu devotee, then the Pahari Mandir will genuinely pique your interest. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and throughout the year, several Hindu pilgrims visit there to seek blessings. As the temple is located at the height of 2140 feet, you will get to have the entire city’s panoramic view from there. That is why many people who are not interested in religion also visit the temple to soak in Ranchi’s beauty.
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In case you are a Lord Shiva devotee, visit the temple between July and August as the Shravan festival takes place during that time. At that time, Hindu pilgrims from all over India reach there to worship Lord Shiva. Lastly, remember you have to climb around 400 steps to reach the temple. In case you are not physically active, it will be better for you to avoid this trip.
Address: Shiv Shanti Path Pahari mandir, Ranchi, Jharkhand 834001.
7. Nakshatra Van
Nakshatra Van is one of the unique parks in India. This spot is originally an urban park that is located pretty close to the Governor House in Ranchi. The concept behind Nakshatra Van is based on zodiac signs. While exploring the park, you will see that the entire site is divided into different sections based on the zodiac signs and celestial bodies. According to Hindu astrology, it is believed that every constellation has other economic, social, and medicinal effects. That is why the park creators encourage people to explore the sections that are compatible with their zodiac signs, respectively.
Even if you do not believe in astrology, the park is pretty entertaining. Throughout the park, different gorgeous pathways are located. You will get to see additional settings for each zodiac sign over there. There is a musical fountain located inside the premises of the park that is quite entertaining. As the Jharkhand forest department creates this park, the entire area is surrounded by greenery.
Address: Rajbhawan Road, near Rajbhavan, Ranchi University, Morabadi, Ranchi, Jharkhand 834001.
Timings: 9.30 am to 6.30 pm (The park is closed on Monday).
8. Sun Temple
Located at the top of Ranchi hill, the Sun Temple of Ranchi is quite beautiful and a must-visit tourist destination. The temple is stunning to look at. With a gorgeous chariot and 18 wheels, the sun temple has a similar architecture to India’s other sun temples. As the temple is located at a hilltop, the view from there is quite enchanting. The construction is dedicated to the Sun God, and you can see that seven horses are supposed to pull away from the chariot.
Inside the temple, you will see shrines of other Hindu Gods as well apart from Sun God. Many devotees and tourists visit the temple, and they even bathe in the sacred pond located inside the temple. It is one of the most-visited tourist spots in Ranchi. As the temple is located only 20 km from the main city, you will easily find a rented cab to reach there.
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Address: Ancillary Industrial Area, Pithiyatil, Ranchi, Jharkhand 834004.
Timings: 6 am to 7.30 pm.
9. Jonha Falls
With a height of 141 feet, Jonha Falls is one of Jharkhand’s most beautiful and highest waterfalls. Apart from being the capital of Jharkhand, Ranchi is mostly known for the Jonha falls. This waterfall is the symbol of the city as it is extremely beautiful. Right from the moment, you will see the waterfall, and you will fall in love with it. The waterfall is created by the intersection of river Raru and Gunga. If you visit Ranchi during the monsoon season, you will understand the true intensity of the waterfall.
Photo by Smeet Chowdhury Image Source
Even though the waterfall is located around 43 km from Ranchi, it is visited by several tourists and locals. You can easily reach there by renting a car within two and a half hours. Many people love to spend the entire day, admiring the beauty of the waterfalls.
Address: Ranchi, Jharkhand.
10. State Museum Hotwar
If you are a lover of history and are interested in artifacts and sculptures, State Museum Hotwar is the perfect place for you. This museum was previously known as the Ranchi museum and was created for showcasing arms and ammunition, ethnographic displays, jewelry, and artifacts. By exploring this museum, you will get to learn a lot about the history of Jharkhand. One of the most popular spots in the museum is the sculpture gallery.
Breathtakingly beautiful sculptures surround the gallery by different talented artists. You will also see a myriad of unique pictures that will help you understand Jharkhand even more. Most people with kids visit the museum quite often as it is a great place to gain knowledge.
Address: Hotwar Khelgaon Mega Sports Complex, Ranchi, Jharkhand 834009.
Timings: 10.30 am to 4.30 pm (The museum is closed on Mondays).
11. Hundru Falls
Located at 48 km from Ranchi, Hundru Fall is among the fifty highest waterfalls in India. This waterfall is breathtakingly beautiful and is visited by thousands of tourists throughout the year. The waterfall becomes even more beautiful during monsoon as the volume of the water increases a lot. Even if you visit there during the summer season, you will not be disappointed. The waterfall is so massive that you will not be able to listen to your own voice against the sound of the cascading water.
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While visiting Ranchi, you must explore Hundru waterfall as it is one of Jharkhand’s major tourist sites. With a height of 322 feet, Hundru waterfall will genuinely make you stunned.
Address: Faul, Hundru, Jharkhand 835101.
Timings: 8 am to 4.30 pm.
12. Patratu Valley
Situated at the distance of 34 km from Ranchi’s heart, the Patratu Valley is one of the most scenic locations of Jharkhand. The valley allows you to see the panoramic view of the entire city quite vividly. When you reach Patratu Valley, you will see the stretch of long S-turn roads amid the lush greenery of forests. As the Patratu Dam is also located over there, many people prefer to have picnics over there as well.
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If you are a biker, you will find the entire road leading to Patratu valley quite enthralling.
Address: Ranchi, Jharkhand.
13. Birsa Zoological Park
Birsa Zoological Park is the largest zoo in Ranchi, and it is a paradise for people who love wildlife. On the park premises, you will see a large variety of wild animals, including deer, tiger, or lion. Not only will you get to witness the majestic animals, but also you will get a lot of information regarding them.
There is an animal adoption program available at the zoo. Many genuinely animal lovers take part in the program and provide an animal with a home. If you have kids, you will love spending some time in the park. You can have some snacks in the premises of the park in the canteens located over there. As the park is located 26 km from Ranchi, you will have to rent a car to reach there.
Address: Main Road, NH33, Ormanjhi, Jharkhand 835219.
Timings: 9 am to 4.30 pm. (The park is closed on Sunday and Monday).
Ranchi is a phenomenal tourist spot, and it is quite popular among travelers across the globe. If you want to explore the city in-depth, try keeping some time in your hand. You will genuinely fall in love with this city in Jharkhand after spending some time. The places that we mentioned in the blog are extremely famous in Ranchi. You will regret it even if you miss any one of the spots included in this article. Apart from the places mentioned above, there are other sites located in Ranchi that are equally important. Before starting your packing for your Ranchi trip, research the city on the internet thoroughly.
