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Jharkhand: National Park Experiences to Live

Tigers, Temples and Waterfalls - What even seasoned travelers don't know and what the guidebooks don't tell you is that Jharkhand, India has many experiences worth exploring.

Jharkhand: National Park Experiences to Live

If you look through Lonely Planet about Jharkhand the guidebook simply says - going their leads you nowhere and there isn’t much to see or explore either. Google only lists about 10–15 places with stereotype details as published by the Government. What even experienced travelers don't know and what the guidebooks don't tell you is that Jharkhand has many experiences worth living. As travel restrictions open up, you may even get to experience these places all to yourself.

Forest with Palash Trees (flame-of-the-forest tree).

Betla National Park - The national park is approximately 140 kilometers from the state capital Ranchi and the best way to reach there is by hiring a private car from Ranchi. The other alternative is by taking one of the local buses from Ranchi but you need to take an early morning bus as it will drop you at a junction 14 km before the park and then you need to hitchhike or wait for a bus/vehicle to drop you at the park which is pretty rare.

Hill Top Temple giving a bird's eye view of the National Park.

I have some beautiful memories of the park as I would head there with my dad very frequently since childhood. The forest is pretty dense, green and is good for sighting wild animals like chital, spotted deers, Bison, elephants, foxes, and tigers. Tigers are rare but I did spot one once in the national work while the beast was on a kill.

However, the most beautiful and unique experience in Betla happens early in the morning. You need to wake up early for the sunrise and walk towards the entry gate of the forest wherein you can see thousands of deer, a hand's touch away from you, walking around, grazing the grass, and basking under the morning sun. The view is magical and it is something that you won't experience in any other national park in India. The forest Safari is fun and animals you would see are deer, jackal, bison, elephants, and more.

Entrance of the Palamu Fort in Betla National Park.

Beside the forest and animals, the park hosts a beautiful old Palamu Fort which is like a ruin, but you can still walk in and explore. The fort walls are the Indian version of the Great Wall of China and you can walk on them for as far as you can see.

Boundary wall of the Palamu Fort - Ranchi's own version of Great Wall of China.

Netarahat: The name says it all — Nature’s Heart. This tiny hill station is among my favorite places in Jharkhand. That nip in the air is instant love. The place is surrounded by pine forest and waterfalls and is great for some nice treks, sunsets, and sunrise viewpoints overlooking the valley and more. There is also a beautiful boarding school called “The Netarahat School” which has a history of its own. The school has given India maximum numbers of civil service officers over the period and the school architecture is beautiful. It is worth going for a walk and exploring it yourself.

The food is very simple and fresh and that is what makes it special. However, the best part is getting to see a million fireflies every night as they dance on trees in sync, like a ballet. It is indeed magical and something so unique to this place.

Besides that, I love the trek to the Lower Ghagri waterfall. You can rent a bicycle from the bazaar or go in your own car, however after a point, you have to park your vehicle and start walking in the unexplored forest to reach the waterfall. You will eventually reach the top of the waterfall overlooking the valley with a tiny natural pool to swim in.

Lodh Falls: On your ride from Betla to Netarahat, if you take a bit of a detour from Mahuadan, you will reach Lodh Falls which is the highest waterfall in Jharkhand. The waterfall is surrounded by lush green forest and is literally untouched by humans with no mobile connection and no proper road which makes it even more special. The sound of the falls is audible even from 10 km away. The waterfall is simply gorgeous and it forms a natural pool at the end of the waterfall perfect to dip in.

Dasam Falls in its full glory during Monsoon.

Butterfly Land - This place has been my secret. When you are driving from Betla to Netarahat, you will come across a stretch of the forest for a good 10 kilometers which is a home to millions of butterflies. The yellow butterflies will instantly come and sit over you if you stand in this stretch. The experience of being surrounded by so many butterflies is sheer magic. Pro Tip: This phenomenon can be experienced only in Monsoons — June to August.

Lower Ghagra Waterfall in Netarhat.

Parasnath: I actually rode to Parasnath on a bicycle and the route is one of the most scenic and beautiful routes of Jharkhand. Parasnath is a Jain Pilgrimage and is the highest mountain in Jharkhand. The weather gets really cold in winters and it stays pleasant throughout summer. I would go there for the vibes, nature, and trek to the temples on top of the hill.

McCluskeyganj - McCluskey Ganj is a famous Anglo Indian settlement 60 kilometers away from the city. You won’t find any Anglo Indians living there anymore but they left behind some beautiful bungalows, bakery, and homestay for us to experience. The place has a sense of calmness and is apt to make your creative mind alive.

Dalma Forest - This is yet another national park of Jharkhand, spread across the Dalma Hill Range, 100 km away from the state capital Ranchi and in close proximity of Jamshedpur. The forest here is extremely dense, lush green, and with some really old and beautiful trees. There is a Government guesthouse on top of the Hill overlooks the entire forest and Tatanagar City and is apt for stargazing in the night. During the winter days, clouds would surround the guesthouse from all sides leaving a very magical "Cloud Nine" feeling. There is a three to four kilometer long trek to the top of the hill wherein you have a Shiva Temple and a viewpoint. The temple has nice vibes and you can smoke joints with the temple priest which makes it even more special. The place is so green, happy, and pristine.

Ranchi: Things to do & experiences to live

People always ask me about things to do in and around Ranchi while they travel here, as Google doesn’t have much to offer for this little unknown city of India. Here you will find list some of the places I have enjoyed exploring, experiences that moved me, and foods that made me happy.

Things to do in and around the city:

Front view of the Dasam Fall.
Hundru Fall - The bamboo boat takes you right underneath the fall.
The mighty Dasam falls.
Riding through Patratu Valley.
Natural Infinity Pool near Hundru Fall overlooking the valley.
Sunset at Dhurwa Dam.

Food to try and places to eat in Ranchi

Feature image - Sunset from the top of Dassam Fall, Ranchi

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