PARASNATH HILLS

Parasnath Hills-The word Parasnath comes from the 23rd Jain Tirthankara Shri Parshwanath Bhagwan. Parasnath hills are a range of small to medium size hills (highest peak 1350 meters) and are located in Jharkhand state, eastern India. They make up the highest mountain south of the Himalayas.
In Jainism, the Parasnath hills are referred to as Shri Sammet Shikhar Teerth. They are one of the two most prominent Jain pilgrimage centers, the other being Shetrunjaya, located in Gujarat State of Western India.

Twenty Jain Tirthankars, out of twenty-four attained salvation in the Parasanth hills. Jains believe that ordinarily, all 24 attain nirvana at this location. The current time cycle is known as the Hundav Avsarpini, in which events and situations are found to be worse than in past time cycles. These 20 Tirthankars are:
1. Ajitnath
2. Sambhavnath
3. Abhinandan
4. Sumatinath
5. Padmprabhu
6. Suparshwanath
7. Chandraprabhu
8. Suvidhinath
9. Sheetalnath
10. Shreyansnath
11. Vimalnath
12. Anantnath
13. Dharmnath
14. Shantinath
15. Kunthunath
16. Arnath
17. Mallinath
18. Munisuvrat Swami
19. Naminath
20. Parshwanath

It is an exotic place to visit with innumerable temples, shrines and meditation halls in the midst of natural scenery and wildlife. The Parasnath Hills (Madhuban) can be reached by train or by road from Giridih or Parasnath Station. Both the Jain Svetambara and Digambar sects have established their Dharamshalas or Ashrams here to accommodate the pilgrims to this the second most holy place for Jains from all over the world. One can stay in hotel Bhuvan located in Ishri Bazaar(1 km from Parasnath Railway Station). The food and snacks in this hotel specially Ras Malai is awesome.

HAZARIBAGH NATIONAL PARK

Hazaribagh National Park-About 135 km from Ranchi is also a sanctuary adorned with scenic beauties. The park has also the same features as that of Betla to some extent. The park has tigers, panthers, sambhars, spotted deer, bisons and a number of mammalian faunas. There are some towers which the tourists use to behold the beasts. A canteen is also there to cater. The park is approachable by all weather metalled road. The Cheetal, Kakar, Nilgai, Sambar and Wild Boar are among the most easily and often spotted animals particularly near the waterholes at the time of the dusk. The population of the tigers is very less. According to 1991 Census, there were 14 tigers in the park. The tigers are really difficult to sight.
A 111-km long stretch of the road in the sanctuary takes the tourists to the remotest corners and masonry towers of the park. The road, strategically laid down, offers excellent opportunities for the view of the wild animals. The tribal population also lives around the sanctuary. The ark has many watchtowers that act as the perfect hideouts to see the wildlife in its natural surroundings.

THE BETLA NATIONAL PARK

The Betla National Park-Spread across 250 km, this sprawling wildlife park houses a wide variety of wildlife, which includes tiger, elephant, bison, sambhar, wild boar, cheetal deer, 15-20 feet long pythons, wild cats, badgers, Malabar giant squirrel among others. Covered with forests, valleys and hills, the park can serve as the right address in a wildlife enthusiast's tourism itinerary. Elephant rides are offered in the park, which gives a wonderful aerial view of the wildlife. 226 km of this park has been included under the ambit of Palamau Tiger Reserve.

PALAMU TIGER RESERVE

Palamau Tiger Reserve- It was one of the nine forest reserves, which was brought under Project Tiger in 1973. It encompasses through parts of Betla National Park (226 km) and the Palamau Sanctuary (980 sq km). The tiger reserve has an enchanting variety of flora and fauna.
The wildlife population, besides tiger, includes wolves, leopards, sloth bear, four horned antelope, mouse dear and they share the space with the tribal population, which is a clear indication of nature and man harmony that our civilization needs to learn. Palamau Tiger Reserve is a chief attraction of Jharkhand Tourism.

JONHA FALLS

Jonha Falls -Just 34 km away from Ranchi, this cascade greets you with its milky white exuberance. The beautiful scenery around the falls makes the place a picnic spot. The waterfall is also called Gautam Dhara, which implies some Buddhist legacy. There is a tourist rest house in the vicinity, which houses a temple of Lord Gautam Buddha. You can reach Gautam Dhara station directly by train. After alighting from train take a narrow road to reach the wide falls.

THE SUN TEMPLE

The Sun Temple- It is located 39 kms away from Ranchi. The temple is designed in the form of a very big chariot, that is richly decorated with 18 wheels and 7 horses. The Sun Temple is also praised with the fancy ephitet of 'A poem in stone.' The temple is surrounded by a pond which is a sacred place for the Chhathavratis. There is a dharmashala for the pilgrims, that is still under construction. The soothing and charming environment around the Sun Temple is likely to attract the tourists.

BAIDHYANATH DHAM

This is a famous place for the Hindu pilgrims. It is also known as Deoghar, which means the house of Gods and Goddesses. Though the town is full of temples, but the Shiva-Baidyanath temple is perhaps the most famous among them. Here the Kamna Lingam of Lord Shiva has been placed since the realms of anitiquity. However, historically the temple dates back to 1596 AD, when a hunter discovered this lingam. Many devotees visit here in the month of Shravan, specially on Mondays. Baidyanath Dham can be reached either by road or by train. Many devotees come to Baidyanath Dham on foot, by traversing a distance of 100 kms, for pouring the holy water of river Ganga on the Kamna Lingam of Lord Shiva.
Jharkhand is also well known for its fantastic carvings on the wood and bamboo handicrafts. You can get unique paintings, musical instruments, wooden artifacts, ornamental designed jewelry, etc in the markets of Jharkhand. They can serve as mementos for your fascinating trip to Jharkhand

TOURIST PLACES

The state of Jharkhand is teeming with industries, mines and minerals, forestaries and wildlife sanctuaries. Despite the industrial dominance, in large parts of Jharkhand greenery prevails in its pristine glory. The tourism of Jharkhand holds much attraction for both the domestic and inbound tourists. Jharkhand is a state that is also blessed with broad, evergreen forests, waterfalls, wildlife, scenic beauty, holiday resorts and a good climate that attracts many tourists to the state.
More than about 28 percent of the population of the state of Jharkhand comprises of tribes. The famous festival of the tribes is the Sarhul. It is celebrated during the spring season, when the tall shaal trees get crowded with new leaves.
The festivity entails the worship of a village deity, who is believed to be the protector of the tribes, and it can hold a tourist appeal for those who want to explore beyond the mundane.

HISTORY OF JHARKHAND

Jharkhand which came into being on 15 November 2000 as the 28th State of the Union is the homeland of the tribals for which they had been dreaming for centuries. According to legend, Raja Jai Singh Deo of Orissa had declared himself the ruler of Jharkhand in the 13th century. It largely comprises forest tracks of Chhotanagpur plateau and Santhal Pargana and has distinct cultural traditions. In post-Independence era, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha started a regular agitation which impelled the government to establish the Jharkhand Area Autonomous Council in 1995 and finally a full-fledged State.

LAND OF JHARKHAND

The new State Jharkhand formerly a part of Bihar state, was formed on November 15th, 2000 with Ranchi as its capital. Jharkhand is the 28th state of the Indian Union. The districts are Garwa, Palamu, Chatra, Koderma, Hazaribagh, Giridih, Deoghar, Dumka, Godda, Pakur, Sahibganj, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Ranchi, Lohardagga, Gumla, West Singhbhum and East Singhbhum.

The new state largely comprises of the forest tracks of Chhotanagpur plateau and Santhal Pargana and has distinct cultural traditions. This area in and around the districts of Chotanagpur and Santhal Parganas was formerly Southern Bihar and is thickly wooded and consists of a succession of hills.

• Area: 79,714 Square KM.
• Population: 218.44 Lakhs
• Capital: Ranchi
• Districts: 18
• State Language: Hindi