Situated at the confluence of Rivers Subarnrekha and Kharkai, the steel city of India, Jamshedpur, in Jharkhand, echoes with the legacy of Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata (founder of the Tata Group of companies), who founded the city. The largest city in the state, Jamshedpur is dotted with lakes that are surrounded by neatly manicured gardens. Open emerald spaces, lofty hills, lush forests and pristine waterfalls adorn the suburbs of the city, making it a green paradise. Though it has been developed as one of the most planned industrial cities in the country, there are several tourist retreats for visitors to explore. Lying at the heart of the city, the Jubilee Park, a gift from the Tata Group to the residents of the city, is the main attraction here. From musical fountains to amazing laser installations inspired by Singapore's Sentosa Island, the park enchants visitors with its diversity and vibrancy. Also called Tata Nagar, Jamshedpur acts as a gateway to other cities and towns of the state. Amadubi Rural Tourism Village Located on the outskirts of Jamshedpur, Amadubi Rural Tourism Village is home to talented tribal artists, who are famous for the traditional Paitkar Scroll Paintings. The village is home to around 54 chitrakar families who are skilled in painting scenes from epics, folklore and village life on scrolls made from leaves and barks of trees. A visit to this artists' hub makes for an enriching experience for tourists as they can directly visit the homes of the artists and choose from a wide selection of attractive Paitkar Scroll Paintings. The artists have been following this age-old traditional art and their skill and finesse is unparalleled. The village lies in Dhalbhumgarh block of East Singhbhum and is a hub of ethnic artists of Jharkhand. Bhuvaneshwari Temple Dedicated to Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, the goddess of the universe, the grand Bhuvaneshwari Temple is perched atop the Bhuvaneshwari Hill (about 500 ft). The highest point in Jamshedpur, it offers spectacular views of the city. The temple is built in the typical South Indian style of architecture and boasts a 32-ft-high sanctum sanctorum that houses an imposing idol of the goddess. There is a popular belief among devotees and priests of the temple that the eight pillars of the temple are each home to the different incarnations of the presiding goddess. It was built by a Tamil priest, Swami Ranga Rajan, in 1978, and is located in the Tata Motors Colony. It is also commonly known as the Telco Bhuvaneshwari Temple. Burudih Lake The picturesque town of Ghatshila, located about 60 km from Jamshedpur, is home to the pristine Burudih Lake, which makes for a great picnic spot. Surrounded by dense forests and verdant hills, this artificial lake offers tourists a chance to indulge in various water sports and recreational activities like motor and pedal boating, water surfing and banana boat rides. The hillocks surrounding the Burudih Lake are a part of one of the oldest rock sites in the world. The dense forests covering the low hills are a part of the elephant corridor from the Dalma range to Midnapur in West-Bengal. If you are fortunate, you can also spot elephants tromping along the hills. Burudih Lake is situated at a distance of 5 km from Ghatshila's city centre. Dalma Hills Located on the outskirts of the city of Jamshedpur, at a height of 3,000 ft above sea level, Dalma Hills are surrounded by dense forests and the pristine Subarnarekha river. Offering commanding views of the nearby areas, the hills are ideal for indulging in adventure-sports like rock climbing and trekking. The main attraction is the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to fauna like leopards, elephants, tigers, barking deer, sloth bears and porcupines. The forest department has also set up a rest house and bamboo huts, where tourists can spend a night, which makes for a truly intriguing experience. Tourists can also visit a temple of Lord Shiva, lying atop a hill, which draws scores of devotees on different festive occasions. Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary Nestled in the catchment area of Subarnarekha river, the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most important tourist attractions near the city that serves as a great weekend getaway. The wildlife sanctuary is famous for elephants and attracts wildlife enthusiasts from all parts of the country. It is also home to leopards, tigers, barking deer, sloth bears and porcupines. Tourists visiting the sanctuary can also visit the much revered Shiva Temple, perched atop a mountain. The temple invites scores of devotees during the Shivratri festival. The forest department has also set up a rest house and bamboo huts, where tourists can spend a night, which makes for a truly intriguing experience. The Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary is located at a distance of 35 km from Jamshedpur. Dhanbad Comprising hillocks and lush forests, Dhanbad hosts vibrant festivals most of the year, some of which include, Vishwakarma Puja, Saraswati Puja, Durga Puja, Chhath, Deepawali, Holi, Eid, Moharram, Gurupurnima, Sarhul and Christmas. The main attraction in Dhanbad is the Maithon Dam that is built over River Barakar. This scenic site provides spectacular views of surroundings and sunsets. Tourists can also pay respects at the Kalyaneshwar Temple, dedicated to Goddess Shakti. Set against the backdrop of the Panchet Hills, Panchet Dam is a must-visit spot, which makes for an ideal picnic spot. The best time to visit is during monsoons. To enjoy a respite in the lap of nature, Bhatinda Falls are an ideal site. A popular picnic spot, they are surrounded by verdant hillocks and rocky boulders. Dhanbad lies at a distance of about 140 km from Jamshedpur. Ghatshila Located at a distance of 60 km from Jamshedpur, the scenic little town of Ghatshila is blessed with picturesque hills, serene lakes and pristine waterfalls. The main attraction is the Phuldungri Hills, located on the outskirts of the city. A delight for trekkers and nature lovers, this series of hillocks offers splendid views of Ghatshila. Another must-visit tourist attraction in the city is the Burudih Lake, situated at a distance of 5 km from the city centre. Surrounded by dense forests and verdant hills, the artificial lake is a famous picnic spot among locals. Ghatshila is also known for the gorgeous Dharagiri Falls, which fall from a height of 25 ft. The best time to visit the falls is during monsoon when they flow in all their glory. Ghatshila also holds a special connection with world-renowned filmmaker Satyajit Ray. The Oscar winning director penned most of his novels, including his Apu trilogy, Pather Panchali, Aparajita and Apur Sansar in Ghatshila. Hudco Lake Set amidst the scenic and hilly terrain of Telco Colony, the Hudco Lake is a delight for nature lovers and captures the true beauty of Jamshedpur. The picturesque lake is situated right next to the famous Sumant Mulgaonkar Park and makes for an amazing picnic spot. Tourists can spend some time at the lake and soak in its peaceful environment and natural beauty. The lake and the Sumant Mulgaonkar Park are perched atop a beautiful hillock from where one can witness amazing panoramic views of the city. The lake draws a large number of visitors on weekends who come here to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and have a rejuvenating time. The crystal clear water of the lake makes it an ideal place to indulge in boating, fishing and other recreational activities. Jadugora Located on the outskirts of Jamshedpur, the quaint town of Jadugora is renowned as a home to the country's first uranium mine. The most popular tourist attraction in Jadugora is the Rankini Temple, dedicated to Goddess Rankini. It sees huge footfalls throughout the year. Legend has it that a local once spotted a tribal girl transforming to kill a demon. The girl disappeared when the local tried to follow her. The same night, Goddess Rankini appeared in his dreams and asked him to construct a temple for her. Tourists can also visit the Galudi Bridge, which is the largest bridge on the gushing Subarnarekha river. The name Jadugora has been drawn from the word Jadagoda, which translates into land of elephants. Jamshedpur Golf Course The beautiful city of Jamshedpur boasts two prominent lush golf courses the Beldih Golf Course and the Golmuri Golf Course. Tourists can enjoy a round of golf or simply enjoy a game unfolding at the course. Sprawling over an area of 65 acre, the twin golf courses are over 60 years old and lie at the heart of the city. The Beldih Golf Course is a nine-hole course, spread over an area of 6,000 yards. It is a part of the Beldih Golf Club, which was established in 1920. The Golmuri Golf Course was set up in 1928 and has 18 holes. The twin golf courses together hold the annual Tata Open Golf Tournament with the support of the Professional Golf Tour of India. The Golf Courses also host the Steel City Golf Tournament, which witnesses the participation of local golfers and players from other Golf clubs in the country. Jayda Mandir On the banks of River Subarnarekha river, stands the ancient temple of Jayda. Located on the outskirts of the city of Jamshedpur, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built in the shikhara (spire) style of architecture, this colourful temple is adorned with two shikharas decorated with imposing shivlings and sculptures of Hindu deities. The best time to visit the temple is during Tusu Festival, when a grand fair is held. The jungles and the river banks lying in close proximity make for a great picnic spot, where one can relax and spend quality leisure time in the lap of nature. The temple is believed to be more than 50 years old. Tourists can also pay a visit to the Rankini Temple, lying nearby. Dedicated to Goddess Rankini, an incarnation of Goddess Kali, the temple draws a large number of devotees from nearby areas. This ancient temple is a prominent site on the tourist circuit and is located amidst scenic surroundings. Though it has a simple architecture, the bas-reliefs at the entrance, featuring Goddess Durga slaying demon Mahishasura, are notable. A panel lying above it shows the various avatars of Lord Shiva, while the doors are adorned with the ten forms of Lord Vishnu. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple houses no idol but a black stone that is worshipped as the goddess. Jubilee Nicco Amusement Park The popular Jubilee Park in Jamshedpur is home to the Jubilee Nicco Amusement Park, colloquially known as the Disneyland of Jharkhand. The amusement park serves as a great recreational centre for kids as it offers thrilling rides and a number of outdoor activities. The amusement park also has a skating rink, along with a number of swings. Tourists need to buy separate tickets to enter the amusement park, which remains open from 1 pm to 9 pm every day. Tourists can also head to Upvan, which is a popular picnic spot adorned with beautiful flowerbeds and well-maintained lush green lawns. The park is the best part of the magnificent Jubilee Park, which was made open to the public in 1958, on the occasion of the city's 50th anniversary of establishment. Sprawling over an area of 200 acre, the park is one of the best tourist attractions in Jamshedpur. The multicoloured fountains and the evening laser show are also quite popular among visitors. Jubilee Park Popularly known as the Mughal Garden of Jamshedpur, the beautiful Jubilee Park makes for a lovely picnic spot. The park draws inspiration from Mysuru's Vrindavan Garden. It is quite popular among joggers and cyclists in the city. Sprawling over an area of 200 acre, the park is one of the best tourist attractions in Jamshedpur. The multicoloured fountains and the evening laser show are popular among visitors. Inspired by the musical fountains and laser installation at Singapore's Sentosa Island, the amazing combination of dazzling lights and fountains is the first of its kind in India and has been set up by Jamshedpur Utilities & Services Company Limited. The colourful beams of light accompanied by 96 water jets will leave you enchanted. The park is adorned with a gorgeous lake where boating is a popular activity. The Jubilee Nicco Amusement Park, located inside the Jubilee Park is a great recreational centre with some thrilling rides for children. Tourists must also visit the Smriti Udyaan, Foliage Park, Tata Steel Zoological Park and Rose Garden, nestled within the Jubilee Park. The stunning landscape of the park provides the perfect setting to indulge in outdoor activities and spend quality leisure time. The park was a gift to Jamshedpur by the Tata Steel Company and was made open to the public in 1958, on the occasion of the city's 50th anniversary of establishment. Musabani Nestled in the lap of Singhbhum Shear Zone, geologically one of the richest sites in the Indian subcontinent, Musabani is famous for its copper mines. The major tourist attraction around Musabani is the famous Rankini Temple, surrounded by verdant Dhanjouri Hills, in Jadugora. Dedicated to Goddess Rankini, it draws large number of devotees from nearby areas, especially during festivals. Musabani lies at a distance of 40 km from Jamshedpur. The town is often referred to as Mini India, thanks to its diverse population which comes from different parts of the country like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal. The town is also home to a large number of Nepalis and a few Anglo Indian families. Noamundi Located around 130 km from Jamshedpur, the town of Noamundi is famous for iron ore mines. Legend has it that the local tribal population used iron axes for daily chores so when iron ore explorers reached here, they were directed to a hill, which they called Noamundi meaning that hill. The Murga Mahadev Temple, perched atop the Murga Hills, is the most popular attraction of the quaint little town. The temple is located near the TISCO township and draws devotees from nearby areas throughout the year. There is a small waterfall within the temple premises which adds to the scenic beauty of the spot. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Murga Mahadev Temple comes alive during the Hindu calendar month of Shravan, when a grand fair is held here and devotees come in large numbers to pour water on the shivling in the temple. Rankini Temple Located on the outskirts of Jamshedpur, the small township of Jadugora is famous for being home to the Rankini Temple. Dedicated to Goddess Rankini, an incarnation of Goddess Kali, the temple draws a large number of devotees from nearby areas. This ancient temple is a prominent site on the tourist circuit and is located amidst scenic surroundings. Though it has a simple architecture, the bas-reliefs at the entrance, featuring Goddess Durga slaying demon Mahishasura, are notable. A panel lying above it shows the various avatars of Lord Shiva, while the doors are adorned with the ten forms of Lord Vishnu. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple houses no idol but a black stone that is worshipped as the goddess. Legend has it that a local once spotted a tribal girl transforming to kill a demon. The girl disappeared when the local tried to follow her. The same night, Goddess Rankini appeared in his dreams and asked him to construct a temple for her. Saranda Forests Asia's largest sal forest, Saranda Forests sprawl along the Jharkhand-Odisha border, and are home to a large number of animal, bird and reptile species. The word saranda means elephants and the forest gets its name due to the large number of elephants that call it home. The forest is one of the few places in the world, which house the endangered flying lizard. While the forest is famous for its sal trees, it also hosts a large number of herbs and other trees. The magical sunrise and sunset of Kiriburu in the hills of Saranda is a spectacular sight. Saranda is often referred to as the land of seven hundred hills and is blessed with picturesque waterfalls. The forest trails to the Jhikra Waterfalls is a delight for nature lovers and trekkers. Tourists can visit the twin cities of Kiriburu and Meghahatuburu, which are famous for their iron ore mines, governed by the Steel Authority of India Limited. Sir Dorabji Tata Park This little park is adorned with nicely maintained lush lawns, beautiful flowers and attractive fountains. The park has been named in the memory of JRD Tata's eldest son, Sir Dorabji Tata, and is famous for hosting an annual flower show in the month of December. Situated in Jamshedpur's Northern Town area, the park makes for a great picnic spot, where tourists can soak in tranquility. Located right opposite the famous Keenan Stadium, the park is also a hub for street-food lovers. Every evening, numerous food stalls are set up outside the park that offer lip-smacking delicacies. The park also houses an open-air gymnasium, which is flocked by locals during the wee hours of the morning. The imposing statue of Sir Dorabji Tata adds to the beauty of the park. Tata Steel Zoological Park A treat for nature-lovers, Tata Steel Zoological Park is situated besides the famous Jubilee Park. The most popular activity for tourists in the park is taking a safari ride through the Safari Park, where they can drive through the wooded area and spot animals in their natural habitat. The park is home to a wide variety of species of mammals, reptiles and birds. Common sightings include jungle cats, jackal, Bengal mongoose, fruit bats, common rat and three-striped squirrel. The zoological park is also home to around 36 different species of birds, including red vented bulbul, purple sunbird, little cormorant, common coot, kingfisher and magpie robin. Visitors can also come across a number of reptiles like python, king cobra, krait and garden lizards. Tourists can visit the Nature Education Centre to get information about the animals residing in the zoological park or enjoy a boat ride in the beautiful Jubilee Lake. Winter months are the best time to visit the park as a large number of migratory birds arrive here.
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