(Part-1)
Day 1: The Journey Begins – Satabdi Express & First Glimpses of Ranchi
Our much-awaited family trip to Ranchi finally kicked off with an early morning ride on the Satabdi Express. The comfort of the train, with scenic views zipping past, set the mood just right. The excitement bubbled within us as we anticipated exploring the “City of Waterfalls”.
We reached Ranchi station by afternoon and headed straight to our hotel – Pearl Regency. After a quick check-in and freshening up, we were all set to explore.
Our first destination was the serene Dassam Falls. The gush of water tumbling down rocky terrain was breathtaking. Though we didn’t hike all the way down, the view from above was enough to make us pause in admiration.
Dassam Falls
Next, we visited the Surya Mandir – perched atop a small hill with a magnificent view. The peaceful vibes and unique chariot-shaped architecture left us mesmerized. The complex is modeled like a colossal chariot: 18 intricately carved wheels and 7 lifelike horses, representing Surya’s celestial vehicle. It is open daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The architecture in Surya Mandir draws inspiration from the Konark Sun Temple and Chola-style motifs.
As the sun set, hunger kicked in, and we decided to try something interesting – Dhoni’s friend’s restaurant (yes, a place with a cool vibe, said to be connected to M.S. Dhoni’s close circle!). The food was delicious, and the ambiance added a fun touch to our evening. We returned to the hotel, a bit tired but content, ready for a power-packed Day 2.
Day 2: A Day of Waterfalls, Valleys & Endless Steps
The second day of our trip was both beautiful and exhausting. We started early and headed to the famous Patratu Valley. The zigzag roads, surrounded by green hills and cool breeze, gave us perfect hill-station vibes. It is an ideal spot for hill drives, hiking, and bird-watching. The valley is home to wildlife like sloth bears, barking deer, and a variety of birds, including migratory ducks. We stopped at Patratu Resort to enjoy some peaceful views and quick refreshments. Then began our adventure to the waterfalls.
We visited Hundru Falls, which was a stunning but challenging experience. The waterfall itself was mesmerizing, but the trek involved climbing down and up hundreds of steep stairs somewhere between 700 to 1000 steps! It tested our stamina and left us breathless, but the reward was worth every drop of sweat.
Next up was Rajrappa Falls and Rajrappa Mandir, another highlight of the trip. The temple is beautifully located where the Damodar and Bhairavi rivers meet. Rajrappa mandir or Maa Chhinnamasta Temple was peaceful and spiritual, offering a calming contrast to the tiring waterfall trek. Rajrappa mandir is dedicated to Goddess Chhinnamasta, an embodiment of one of the ten Mahavidyas — a fierce, headless form of Shakti symbolizing self-sacrifice and transformation. The word “Chinnamasta” means beheaded. In fact this Goddess has beheaded herself with a “Khadag” (A small wide sword) in her right hand and kept her separated head in her left hand. Three streams of blood emerged out of her cut throat, two of the blood streams goes into the mouths of two other goddesses in Her service named as “Dakini (Jaya)” and “Shakini (Vijaya)” and the third blood stream goes into Her own mouth that is in the left hand of the Goddess. Believed to be over 6,000 years old, with mentions in Vedas, Puranas, and associated scripture. The temple is open all day from 5.30 am to 9.30 pm.
Before heading back, we made a final stop at the Getalsud Dam. Constructed in 1971 on the Subarnarekha River, Getalsud Dam serves as a vital resource for irrigation, drinking water, and electricity generation. However, beyond its utilitarian purposes, the dam also doubles up as a popular picnic spot for tourists and locals alike. The calm water stretching to the horizon and the breeze made it a perfect end to the day.
