Part -2
Day 3: Waterfalls, History, and Temple Trails
We began the day early, woken up by the soft morning light streaming through our hotel curtains. Our breakfast was simple but soulful — hot, fluffy kachori with spicy sabji, served fresh at a local street-side stall. Our first destination was Sita Falls, tucked away amidst dense greenery. The waterfall, named after Goddess Sita, tumbles beautifully from the rocks, creating a mystical atmosphere. The trek to reach the falls was slippery but exciting. My brother almost lost his slipper to the mud — we all burst out laughing as he hopped on one foot, dramatically calling it a “national crisis.” On the way, we tried a local delicacy – Saal Patai Chola Makha (spiced black chickpeas served on a saal leaf), which connected us to the tribal culinary roots of Jharkhand.
Next, we visited Jonha Falls, also known as Gautamdhara, as it is believed that Lord Gautam Buddha once bathed here. The 500-step descent took effort, but it was completely worth it. We dipped our feet in the cold water and soaked in the beauty. Later in the afternoon, we climbed up Tagore Hill, associated with Jyotindranath Tagore, the elder brother of Rabindranath Tagore. It is said he spent time here painting, composing songs, and reflecting. My mom even softly hummed “Ekla Cholo Re” as we admired the surroundings. We also visited the Pyramid House and the Rock Garden at the base. My brother posed like a model in front of the pyramid while dad tried to mimic him.
Our next stop was the Jagannath Temple, built in the 17th century by the king of Barkagarh. It resembles the Puri Jagannath temple and offers a spiritual ambience with a brilliant architectural design. From there, we had a glimpse of the Jharkhand Rajya Sabha – an important political and legislative landmark of the state. We wrapped up the day by driving past the JSCA International Cricket Stadium, where international matches take place. Lastly, we stopped at Dhurwa Dam, a peaceful water body surrounded by forested hills. The cool breeze, the calm water, and the setting sun — it was the perfect end to a memorable day.
Day 4: A Tribute to Dhoni and Ranchi’s Local Charms
Ranchi’s love for cricket is because of MS Dhoni, who hails from this lovely city !! We kicked off Day 4 by visiting Dhoni’s old house in Mecon Colony, simple and humble; a stark contrast to his new luxurious residence, which looks like a mini cricket resort with lush lawns. Next, we climbed the 450 steps of Pahari Mandir, a temple dedicated to Pahari Baba or Lord Shiva, located atop Ranchi Hill. Monkeys were everywhere — some playful, others cheeky. One tried to snatch my brother’s water bottle, and he jumped like a cartoon character.
In the afternoon, we had a soulful lunch of rice, alu posto, dal, and mutton kosha. Then we relaxed at Nucleus Mall where we shopped a bit, had coffee, and clicked family selfies. We headed to the Kanke Dam, a peaceful lakeside spot ideal for evening walks. The sun cast golden hues over the water – it was dreamy. As our trip came to an end, we took our final ride back in a unique pink auto driven by a woman in a pink t-shirt — part of a women’s empowerment initiative in Ranchi. Her story and spirit touched us deeply.
With tired feet but happy hearts, we packed our luggage, double-checked every nook of the room. A cab took us through the familiar streets of Ranchi to the railway station, where the Shatabdi Express awaited us.
Traveling guide
By Air: Birsa Munda Airport (IXR), 7 km from the city.
By Rail Stations: Ranchi Junction, Hatia, Namkom.
By Road Highways: NH-33, NH-23, NH-75.
Places to Visit in Ranchi
Jonha Falls
Sita Falls
Hundru Falls
Tagore Hill
Rock Garden & Kanke Dam
Pahari Mandir
Jagannath Temple
Dhurwa Dam
JSCA International Cricket Stadium
Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha (Rajsabha Bhawan)
Pyramid House
Ranchi Lake
Ranchi Science Centre
Nakshatra Van
Dassam falls
Surya mandir
Rajrappa falls
Rajrappa mandir
Getalsud dam
Patratu Valley
Mc Cluskieganj
Places to Eat Special Food in Ranchi
Kachori–Sabji – Street vendors near Kutchery Chowk or Main Road
Saal Patai Chola Makha – Near forest/waterfall routes (local stalls)
Litti-Chokha – Litti Hut or Angeethi Restaurant
Dhoni’s Thematic Restro – MSD – The Hidden House
Angithi Restaurant – Local thali, biryani, and tribal dishes
Capitol Hill Hotel Restaurant, Moti Mahal Delux Tandoori Trail, Kaveri Restaurant, Kasha Multicuisine Restaurant – Fine dining and Indian cuisine
Here’s the first part of this journey
https://smartbangali.in/explore-ranchi-in-4-days-falls-hills-and-food/part 1
