Ranchi

Ranchi is the capital of the Indian state of Jharkhand, and its third most populous city of the state. Ranchi was the centre of the Jharkhand movement, which called for a separate state for the tribal regions of South Bihar, northern Orissa, western West Bengal & the eastern area of what is present-day Chhattisgarh. The Jharkhand state was formed on 15 November 2000 by carving out the Bihar divisions of Chota Nagpur and Santhal Parganas.

The name Ranchi is derived from the previous name of the Oraon village at the same site, Archi. "Archi" derives from the Oraon word for bamboo grove or stave. According to legend, after an altercation with a spirit, a farmer beat the spirit with his bamboo stave. The spirit shouted archi, archi, archi and vanished. Archi became Rachi, which became Ranchi. One of the historically significant neighbourhoods of Rachi is Doranda (duran "दुरङ" means song and daah "दअः" means water in the Mundari language). Doranda lies between the Hinoo (Bhusur) & Harmoo Rivers, where the civil station, treasury and church established by the British Raj were destroyed by rebel forces during the Sepoy Mutiny.

Ranchi has been selected as one of the hundred Indian cities to be developed as a smart city under PM Narendra Modi's flagship Smart Cities Mission.

Geography

Ranchi lies at 23°22′N 85°20′E / 23.36°N 85.33°E / 23.36; 85.33 near to the Tropic of Cancer . Its municipal area is 175.12 square kilometers, and its average elevation is 651 m above sea level.

Ranchi is located in the southern part of the Chota Nagpur plateau, which is the eastern section of the Deccan plateau. Ranchi is known as the "City of Waterfalls" because of its numerous waterfalls, the most well known of which are Dassam Falls, Hundru Falls, Jonha Falls, Hirni Falls, and Panchghagh Falls.

The Subarnarekha river and its tributaries like Jumar constitute the local river system. The channels Kanke, Rukka and Hatia have been dammed to create reservoirs that supply water for sanitation, drinking to the majority of the population.

Ranchi has a hilly topography and its dense tropical forests a combination that produces a relatively moderate climate compared to the rest of the state. However, due to the uncontrolled afforestation, and development of the city, the average temperature has increased. During the period of British rule, it was accorded a 'hill station' status. Since that time, rapid population growth and industrialisation have caused a marked change in its weather patterns and an increase in average temperature. This has resulted in gradual loss of its eligibility for "hill station" status.

Transportation

Airways

Birsa Munda Airport (IXR) of Ranchi has direct flights from Patna, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Chennai, Jammu and Goa. Few major airlines like Air India, GoAir, Indigo and Jet Airways serve this purpose. A new domestic terminal is now ready which is spread over 19,676 square metres of land furnished with imported equipment, and has the capacity to handle 500 domestic passengers.

Railways

Ranchi Railway Station is well connected with direct trains from Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and other major cities. It consist of 6 platforms with all standards necessities. It is also well connected to Ranchi Airport and Bus Terminals. The Ranchi Railway station cater to 36 halting trains, 27 originating trains and 27 terminating trains. Apart from Ranchi Railway Staion, Hatia Railway Staion is also a major railway station in Ranchi.

Research institutions

• ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region (ICAR RCER) Research Centre, Ranchi
• Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums (IINRG), Namkum]
• Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Gharkhatanga

Public libraries

• The International Library & Cultural Centre

Tourist attractions

• Rock garden & Kanke dam (Gonda hills): Gonda Hill and Rock Garden is situated at a distance of about 4 km from Ranchi town on Ranchi Kanke Road. Rock Garden is carved out of the rocks of Gonda Hill and resembles its design to rock garden of Jaipur. At the base of the Hill is Kanke Dam.
• Hundru Falls: Hundru Fall is one of the most picturesque falls surrounding Ranchi. It is 45 km from Ranchi on Ranchi-Purulia Road. Here, the Subarnarekha river falls from a height of 320 feet. The pools at the bottom of the falls are favourite picnic and bathing spots.
• Jonha Falls: Jonha Falls is also known as Gautamdhara, is around 40 km from Ranchi. It is approachable by both Road and train. The fall can be admired by descending around 500 steps. There is a tourist rest house which contains Lord Buddha temple. The river Kanchi flows nearby.
• Panchghagh Falls: Panchghagh falls is on Ranchi-Chakradharpur Road about 6 km from Khunti. This fall consists of five streams formed in a row due to the breaking up of the Banai river which falls from a good height. Cemented walkways connect the different cataracts, of which stream 2 is the most popular while 5 is the biggest, though a bit inaccessible.
• Dassam Falls: Dassam falls is 34 km from Ranchi on Ranchi-Tata Road near a village called Taimara. Here, the Kachni river falls from an altitude of 144 feet. It is also known as Dassam Gagh.
• Hirni Falls: Another beautiful waterfall amidst forests about 70 km from Ranchi.
• Nakshatra Van: Nakshatra Van is situated in the heart of the city. It is divided into various sections. There is a big circle in the centre of the park which is divided into arcs. The tree that represents the particular nakshatras in the zodiac has been planted in each of the corresponding arcs.
• Jharkhand War Memorial
• Crocodile Breeding Centre, Muta, Ormajhi: About 60 km from the Ranchi, on NH 20 near Sikidri lines this breeding place for the Crocodiles. It has been recognized as Mini Zoo by the Zoo Authority of India There is a small stream by the name of Bhairavi River nearby and the crocodiles could be seen in it as after breeding they are released in that river. It is one of the most upcoming picnic spots.
• Jagannathpur Temple: It is 10 km apart from Ranchi town Jagannathpur temple was built in 1691 having resemblance with architectural style of Puri temple. Thakur Ani Nath Shahdeo, of Barkagarh Jagannathpur built the temple. Rath yatra similar to Puri is held every year.

Festivals

• Karam
• Manasa Puja
• Rath Yatra
• Christmas
• Good Friday
• Durga Puja
• Deepawali
• Holi
• Chhath Puja
• Ram Navami
• Id-ul fitr
• Eid al-Adha
• Moharram
• Rakhi
• Basant Panchami