THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Jharkhand is famous for its rich heritage and ancient tribal culture. Jharkhand’s glorious past and cultural diversity make a potent blend that attracts tourists to its heritage tourist attractions each year. The state’s rich heritage is amply reflected in the various temples, monuments, and forts found there.
Let us dive into Jharkhand’s rich heritage of monuments, art and culture.
Maluti temples
Maluti temples are a group of 72 extant terracotta temples located in the Maluti village near Shikaripara in Dumka district in Jharkhand. The architectural beauty of Maluti temples is exceptional. Their façade, walls, and pillars are adorned with intricately designed terracotta panels of mythological details.
The temple is an incredible sign of the innovation and ingenuity of the artisans and architects’ work. Visit the temple and explore the beauty of the ancient sculptures that adorn it.
These temples, according to the Indian Trust for Rural Heritage and Development (ITRHD), were built between the 17th and 19th centuries.
Navratangarh Fort
Navratangarh Fort is situated in Sisai block of the Gumla district. It was one of the capitals of the Nagvanshi Dynasty, which ruled parts of what is now the state of Jharkhand.
King Durjan Sal constructed Navratangarh fort between 1636 and 1639. The palace was a five-storied structure with its “water gate” and garh-khai (moat) arrangement. It has a kiaclmy (court), a treasury house, and a prison cell with its underground dungeon.
Tanginath Dham
Tanginath Dham is situated in the Dumri block of Gumla district. It is about 50kms away from Gumla headquarters and 8km from Dumri.
Tanginath Dham is a place having several architectural works in its lap since the ancient era to the medieval era. It is believed to be the meditation place of Lord Parashuram. According to mythology, Lord Parashuram worshiped Lord Shiva here. It was here that he buried his parshu ie furs in the ground. Surprisingly, there is never any kind of rusting or corrosion in it. The Trishul is unaffected by the sun, shade, or rain falling from the sky.
Megaliths
Megaliths are the earliest surviving man-made monuments, derived from the Latin mega (large) and lith (stone). Megaliths were constructed either as burial sites or as commemorative memorials. In India, archaeologists trace the majority of the megaliths to the Iron Age (1500 to 500 BCE), though some sites precede the Iron Age, extending beyond 3000 BCE. The scientists and researchers, who study the movements of the Sun, verify with these megaliths, as observatories from prehistoric times.
The Punkri Barwadih megalith site of Hazaribagh is a famous group of megaliths of the state. The megaliths have been proven to date back to 3000 BCE. The megaliths or huge stones are used for astronomical purposes. The megaliths are arranged in such a manner that two of the most distinguished megaliths create the alignment for the formation of an Equinox point.
Maansingh Dalan Rajmahal
Sanghi Dalan is a historical place located at the heart of the city of Rajmahal. It is the remains of a palace, which Raja Maan Singh constructed. The palace was made up of marble during the time period between 1580 and 1600 A.D.
The Ganga flows eternally just next to this edifice. There is a popular theory that in those early times a hollow pipe ran below the Sangi- Dalan connecting different forts in the area and was used for ‘communication’ between them.
Palamu Fort
To explore the beauty and history of Palamu Fort, do firm feet once you are in and around Jharkhand. It is 3 kilometres from the Betla National Park in Latehar district.
A journey through time shows the rich heritage and culture of the fort.
Palamu Fort has two forts – the Purana Kila, also known as the Old Fort, and the Naya Kila that is also referred to as the New Fort. The forts were built during the beginning of the Mughal period by the Chero chiefs Medani Roy and Pratap Roy.
These are two large forts located deep in the forests of Aurangabad on Sher Shah Suri path near Daltonganj. The original fort in the plains and the other on an adjoining hill are attributed to the kings of a Chero dynasty. The fort in the plains had defences on three sides and three main gates. Raja Medini Ray constructed the New fort.
Chalet House
Often referred to as the ‘Queen of Chota Nagpur Plateau. Netarhat has all the natural beauty stored in it.
One such unexplored destination of Netarhat is Chalet House. It is a historical building made up of logs of wood. It was founded in the early twentieth century under the reign of Sir Edward Gate, L.G. of Bihar, and Orissa. It was initially used by British officers as a summer exodus to meet with prominent local village chiefs.
The house takes you to a time when the British ruled the land. The house is made up of wood; it has been strong and durable since the British period. The construction appears to be that of a modern home. There is a park for fresh air around this wooden house. Many artworks may be found in the Chalet House, which also preserves British-era materials.
Bibhuti Bhushan’s house
Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay was a Bengali novelist and writer. In the year 1928 his first novel, “Pather Panchali” was published, which got him critical attention. In the coming years, with ‘Pather Panchali’ Bibhutibhushan became instantly, a prominent name in Bengali literature. He wrote and published Pather Panchali while staying at Ghatshila, a town in Jharkhand.
Bandopadhyay died on the 1st of November 1950, in Ghatshila. His house is located at a distance of about 58 km on the road from Tatanagar railway station, in the Ghatshila block of East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. He was so fascinated with Ghatshila that he built a red-tiled house for himself, Gouri Kunj—named after his wife. It is here that he penned most of his novels that became world class, getting translated to English, French, German and Hindi.
Pithoria Fort
Pithoria Fort is situated at a distance of about 18 km from Ranchi. The fort is around 200 years old. Locals’ claim the fort is situated in Pithoria village is cursed. The fort had 100 rooms but now is lying dilapidated as lightning strikes the fort e every year which has turned it into ruins. The mystery of lightning striking the same place each year still remains unsolved, but the researchers attribute the height of the fort and tall trees around it to attracting thunderstorms.
However, scientists claim that the abundance of iron ores present in hills as well as long trees around the fort attracts lightening during the monsoon.
Padma Fort
The state of Jharkhand is dotted with historical buildings, sites, and palaces with their own unique identity. One of these is the ancient Padma fort in Hazaribagh. It is one of the best specimens of architecture. It is located just 22 kilometers away from Hazaribagh city. The fort is descendants of King Ram Narayan Singh.
People keep talking about the memories attached to the fort. It is said that there was a time when there used to be rows of imported vehicles and elephants, which welcomed the visitors at the door. The fort had more than 2,000 elephants, horses, and infantry.
Visit the fort and witness its historic lane.
Ratu Fort
Ratu Palace is a famous historical tourist site in Ranchi. It is the home of the last Nagvanshi clan that resided in the city. Ratu Palace is the residence-cum-heritage site that was the home of Nagvanshi clan for the last 1,950 years. Its construction resembles the majestic Buckingham Palace. Though the last Maharajah of the Nagvanshi Clan passed away in 2014, the legacy is still protected in the palace. Ratu Palace can be visited during any season of the year. It is a place that every history lover would love to see. Durga Puja is a popular time for witnessing the pomp of the festival.
