Ramgarh district
Ramgarh district is one of the 24 districts in the Indian state of Jharkhand. It was also a military district during the British Regime, referred to then as Ramgahr district.
Introduction and geography
Ramgarh was made a district on 12 September 2007. It was carved out of erstwhile Hazaribagh District. Ramgarh lies at the heart of the Jharkhand State. It is a mining, industrial and cultural hub with the Maa Chhinnamasta Temple. The name Ramgarh means "The Fort of God Ram". The district of Ramgarh has been named after the town Ramgarh, its present headquarters.The district covers an area of.
Subdivision: Ramgarh
District Registration office is in Gola.
Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha Constituencies
Lok Sabha Constituencies : Hazaribagh
Vidhan Sabha Constituencies :
- Ramgarh :Ramgarh Police Station and Gola Police Station.
- Mandu :Mandu Police Stations.
- Barkagaon : G.Ps. Terpa, Patratu, Koto, Palani, Hapuhua, Harijarpu Gegda, Deoria, Bargama, Pali, Salgo, Sanki, Jabo, Chaingara, Chikor, Lapanga, Ghutua, Barkakana and Sidhwar-Kalan in Ramgarh Police Station.
North and West: Hazaribagh District
North and East: Bokaro District
East: Purulia District
South: Ranchi District
Administration
Ramgarh district consists of 6 blocks. These include Ramgarh, Gola, Mandu, Patratu, Chitarpur, and Dulmi blocks.History
Etymology
The word Ram is derived from Murram and Gadh is derived from Beluagadha. In Hazaribagh district, there is sitagadha and Vishnugadha. Thus, the name 'Ramgarh' must have been derived by using syllables of these places.Ancient history
Stone age: Along the river Damodar in Ramgarh early Stone Age tools were foundMahajanapadas: The gigantic king Jarasandh was very powerful, Chotanagpur was in his jurisdiction probably the Chhotanagpur was under sub-ordination of Mahapadam of Magadh Nand Ugrasen of Nagwanshi's.
Maurya Empire: It is also said that entire Chhotanagpur was under sub-ordination of Ashoka the Great so that in Buddha period.
Buddhism and Jainism: It is certified by the symbolic relics of Buddha period in the temple of Gola. Probably in the 8th century BC. Jain Trithankar was constructed in Parasnath.
Gupta Empire: King Samudragupta had invaded Eastern Deccan by passing through this area.
Medieval period
In Turk-Afghan period, Jharkhand the forest country was under subordination of ruler of that time. The Ramgarh Raj was established in 1368. The founder King of Ramgarh regime was King Bagdeo Singh. At that time the capital of Ramgarh was in Sira. The headquarters of capital was transferred in urda, Badam, Ramgarh and Padma one by one. In 1670 the headquarters of Ramgarh regime was transferred in Ramgarh. Ramgarh Regime also known as Padma Raja or Regime.British regime
The Power of obtaining reference from Ramgarh regime was given to East India Company by King Shah Alam II.In 1771, Captain Comac was made Military Collector of Ramgarh District, whose headquarters was in Chatra. The military district of Ramgarh contained Nagpur, Palamu, Hazaribagh, Chatra, Giridih and Kodarma. At that the headquarters of Ramgarh Battalion was Hazaribagh, whose commander was a European. The district name is often spelled "Ramghur" in English documents of the time.
"It appears that the social reformer and the founder of the Brahm Samaj Raja Ram Mohan Roy was in Ramgarh in 1805-06. He went there with Mr. William Digby who was then acting Magistrate and Registrar of Ramgarh. Raja Ram Mohan Roy was the Sheristeder of the Collectorate and lived both at Cahtra and Ramgarh in this capacity when Mr. William Digby was transferred else here he took Ram Mohan Roy with him to his new place of work".
In 1811, Ramgarh Battalion was used for suppressing the Munda, Uraon and Tamad Revolt and Kol revolt. In 1837, Ramgarh was police station of British government. In 1938, new G.T. road was started and Banaras road was closed. It is worth mentioning the name of Lubia Manghi. Bainu Manjhi and Arjun Manjhi. In Sitagarh, the cropping of coffee was taking place. The name of Rupu Manjhi is famous in the first national revolt of 1857.
On 8Th January 1856, Sheik Bhikari and Thakur Upraon Singh were hanged on a Bunyan tree of Chhuttupalu valley. This valley is also known as lalki Ghaati and that Bunyan tree is called "Phansiyahi bore".
Ramgarh Cant council was structured in 1941. There are two centers of Army training i.e.Sikh Regimental Centre and Punjab Regimental Centre.
Indian National Congress
In March 1940, INC 53rd Session was accomplished under the presidency of Maulana Abul Qalam Azad at Jhanda Chowk, Ramgarh now Ramgarh Cant. Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Sarojini Naidu, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Acharya J.B. Kripalani, Industrialist Jamnalal Bajaj and other leaders of Indian freedom movement attended the Ramgarh Session. Mahatma Gandhi also opened khadi and village Industries Exhibition at Ramgarh.At that time, under the leadership of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose conference against Samjhauta was completed also. In Ramgarh, Subhsha Chandra Bose was seen as president of All India Forward Block and M.N. Roy was seen as leader of Radicle democratic party.
Post-independence
After independence in 1947, the territory of the present-day Ramgarh district became a part of erstwhile Hazaribagh district. In 1952 Ramgarh Block was created and in 1991 Ramgarh Subdivision was formed. Sikh Regimental Centre was shifted from Merrut to Ramgarh Cant in 1976. On 12 September 2007, Ramgarh was made district consisting Ramgarh, Gola, Mandu and Patratu Block, taking the total count of districts in the state to 24.On 13 September 2012, Ramgarh become first district of country where payment of Government Scheme like KCC and Indra Awash done through UID or Aadhaar card.
Physiography and rivers
Physiography
The district is a part of Chotanagpur plateau.Important physiographic regions of the district is Damodar Trough or Upper Damodar basin or simply Damodar Valley. Major area of the district comes under Damodar Valley. Damodar Valley is bounded by Hazaribag Plateau in north and Ranchi Plateau in south. Ranchi and Hazaribag plateau is separated by east–west running Damodar Valley.
Barka Pahar high above sea level located along the Ramgarh-Ranchi border is probably the highest peak, and it also separates the districts.
Rivers and river basins
Damodar is the main river of the district and it also forms a major river basin,Comprising a number of tributaries. Important amongst them are: Naikari, Bhervi or Bhera and Bokaro river.
In Hindu mythology and folklore Damodar is a Nad means Male River.
Small rivers include the Hurhuri, Gomti, Barki, Kurum, Kochi, Sherbhuki, and Dhobdhab rivers.
Suwarn Rekha River flow south eastern part of district. Tributaries of Suwarn Rekha are Kadamgara, Khatgara etc.
Waterfalls
Rajrappa Fall is on the confluence of the Bhairavi and Damodar Rivers.Nalkari Dam is in Patratu.
Geology and mineral resources
The district holds a strong position on the mineral map of the country. The district is endowed with a large and rich deposit of coal and coal bed methane and also possesses various other minerals like Limestone, Fire Clay, etc.The coalfields of the Ramgarh district lie in the Damodar Valley. The important geological formations of the district is Gondwana System and the rocks of the Damuda Group of Lower Gondwana age comprises the most important coal seams.
The coal deposit of the district mainly found in South Karanpura, West Bokaro and Ramgarh coalfields.
Coal mines
The Central Coalfields Limited is a subsidiary of Coal India Ltd. The coalfield is divided into following areas:-South Karanpura coalfields
Barka Sayal Area:- Saunda D Under Ground Mines
- Saunda D Open Cast Mines.
- Central Saunda Under Ground Mines
- Saunda Under Ground Mines
- Sayal D Under Ground Mines
- Urimari Under Ground Mines
- Bhurkunda Open Cast Mines
- Sirka Open Cast Mines
- Sirka Under Ground Mines
- Argada Under Ground Mines
Ramgarh coalfields
- Rajrappa Project Open Cast Mines.
- CCL Coal Washery:RajrappaWashery
West Bokaro coalfields
- Sarubera Open Cast Mines
- Sarubera Under Ground Mines
- Ara Open Cast Mines
- Kuiu Under Ground Mines
- Topa Open Cast Mines
- Topa Under Ground Mines
- Pindra Open Cast Mines
- Pindra Under Ground Mines
- Pundi Open Cast Mines
- Karma Open Cast Mines
- Kedla Under Ground Mines
- Kedla Open Cast Mines
- Jharkhand Open Cast Mines
- Laiyo Under Ground Mines
- Parej East Open Cast Mines
- Tapin North, OC
- Tapin South, Mixed.
- Kedla Washery
- West Bokaro open cast mines.
- Tata Steel has established country's first coal washery at West Bokaro in 1951.
- Naisarai, Ramgarh.
- Kedla
Captive coal mining blocks
- Sugia: Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation
- Rauta: Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation
- Burakhap: Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation
- Kotre–Basantpur:TISCO
- Patratu: Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation
Coal-bed methane
ONGC is doing exploration work in South Karanpura Coalfields for CBM.
Underground coal gasification
Coal India Limited has identified two sites for developing UCG with Joint Venture Partners, Kaitha Block in Ramgarh coalfield under CCL command area is one of them.Ramgarh district marked a substantial increase in collection of mining revenue on fiscal year 2014-15 as 315 crore revenue collected till 30 March 2015 while mining revenue collection in previous fiscal year was 287 crore.
Mineral royalty and other minerals
Mineral royalty:- 2011–12: 264 Crore
- 2012–13: 278 Crore
- Limestone: Isolated patches of limestone occur along a belt extending east and west parallel with the coal-fields.
- Iron ore: In the Ramgarh, Bokaro and Karanpura coal-fields, nodules and lenticles of iron ore are found. At one time these were used by indigenous smelters.
- Hariharpur Lem Bicha block I
- Hariharpur Lem Bicha block II
Industries and agriculture
Industries
Ramgarh is an important industrial district of East India. Several mineral based industries like Steel, Sponge Iron, Cement, Refractory and Thermal Power Plant etc. are established due to availability of Coal and other minerals.Agriculture
The main occupation of the people of Ramgarh is cultivation. There are three main agricultural seasons in the district, 1) kharif, 2) rabi 3) zaid. Rice, maize, ragi, fruits and vegetables are the main crop of the district.Soils, climate, forests and wildlife
Soils and climate
Mainly two type of soil found -Red Soil and Sand loam.In terms of climate, the area lies in the sub-humid region of Chotanagpur Plateau and enjoys semi-extreme type of climate. The day temperature rises around during the summers and drops down to around during the winter.
The winter season broadly runs from November to February, the hot season from March to May, and the rainy season from June to October.
Forests and wildlife
The forest area of the district is. The district is rich in flora and fauna. Government has planned a deer park in the district. The park will come up on on Gola-Muri Road in Gola block. 30 villages in the district is tuskers effected.Demographics
According to the 2011 census, Ramgarh district has a population of 949,443, roughly equal to the nation of Fiji or the US state of Delaware. This gives it a ranking of 459th in India.The district has a population density of. Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 13.06%. Ramgarh has a sex ratio of 921 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 73.92%. Scheduled Castes made up 11.2% of the population, 21.2% were Scheduled Tribes.
At the time of the 2011 Census of India, 56.63% of the population in the district spoke Khortha, 18.2% Hindi, 8.17% Urdu, 4.53% Santali, 2.91% Bhojpuri, 2.78% Magahi and 1.59% Bengali as their first language.
Transport
Rail
In 1927, Bengal Nagpur Railway opened the Chandil-Barkakana section to traffic. In the same year the Central India Coalfields Railway opened the Gomoh-Barkakana line. It was extended to Daltonganj in 1929. Later it is extended to Sonnagar on Howrah-Delhi Grand Chord line and one more branch extended to singrauli from Garwa Road.At present the district railway network is divided between two zone East Central Railways and South Eastern Railway.
Ramgarh Cantonment, Mael, Barkipona, Gola Road, Harubera, Sondimra and Barlanga Station come under Ranchi Division of SER.
Ranchi Road, Chainpur, Argada, Barkakana Junction, Bhurkunda, Patratu and Tokisud station come Under Dhanbad Division of ECR.
Barkakana is a Railway sub-division under Dhanbad division of East Central Railway zone. Doubling of Danea-Ranchi Road line has announced in the Railway Budget 2013–14.
New rail line project
-Koderma-Tilaiya Junction railway station new rail line project of the state is passing through the district. The district portion between Sidhwar-Barkakana-Kuju and Mandu is already completed. The distance between Ranchi and Barkakana by train will be reduce to half by this new rail line. Completion of this project will also shorten the distance between Barkakana, Patna and Delhi. The Bakhtiyarpur–Rajgir line was extended to Tilaiya in 2010. After completion of this line Barkakana will connected with Bakhtiyarpur. Rajgir, Biharsharif etc. Tilaiya Junction railway station is situated near Rajoli of Nawada district of Bihar. Not to be confused with Tilaiya, Tilaiya Dam, or Jhumri Tilaiya of Jharkhand.The long Barkakana- Hazaribagh section of Koderma-Ranchi new line project was inaugurated on 7 December 2016 by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in the presence of Chief Minister Raghubar Das.
Special passenger train service started on 31 March 2017 from Barkakana Junction to Sidhwar station of Barkakana–Ranchi new line section.
Trail run of passenger train between Tatisilwai and Sanki railway station of Ranchi Barkakana new rail line done on 17 January 2018.
New Railway line between Tatisilwai and Sanki was inaugurated by CM Ragubar Das on 29 August 2019. Two new pairs of passenger trains between Hatia and Sanki station started on 29 August 2019.
Railway stations and halts
Barkakana Junction Railway Station :Barkakana junction is the only junction in the district.
Elevation: above sea level
Zone: ECR/East Central Division: Dhanbad
Passenger Train
- Barkakana-Koderma
- Koderma-Barkakana
Ramgarh cant railway station situated at Bijulia near NH33. It is around one km from city bus stand,
Ranchi Road Railway Station:
Ranchi Road Railway station is situated in the Northern side of the Ramgarh city. In 1927, the Central India Coalfields Railway opened the Gomoh-Barkakana line. Jharkhand capital Ranchi was once connected only by narrow gauge line and at that time Ranchi Road Railway station was the nearest Broad gauge station to the Ranchi City.
Patratu Railway Station:
Patratu Railway Station has a number of daily, weekly and express services.
Burkunda Railway Station:
Barkakana-Patna, Palamu Express, Patna-Barkakana, Palamu Express,
Gola Road Railway Station:
Tatanagar-Raulkela-Delhi-Jammutawi Express, Jammutawi-Delhi-Raulkela-Tatanagar Express,
Roads
Road are the major means of transportation in the district. Three major expressways pass through the district. State Highways Authority of Jharkhand is planning to construct a four-lane road between Patratu and Dhanbad via Sayal, Naya mor, Chas mor and Raj ganj.National Highway
Main National Highways crossing the district are NH-33 and NH-23.
National Highway 23 connects with NH-33 at Mahatma Gandhi Chowk, Ramgarh Cant.
State highways serving the area include State Highway No.2.
Air
Birsa Munda Airport at Ranchi is the nearest Airport. Direct links are available to prominent cities such as Delhi, Patna, Mumbai and Kolkata.Education
Schools
Central government schools- Kendriya Vidyalaya : a) Ramgarh Cantt b) Bhurkunda c) Patratu d) Barkakana
- Kendriya Vidyalaya Bhurkunda Po Bhurkhunda
- Kendriya Vidyalaya Patratu Po Diesel Colony Patratu
- Kendriya Vidyalaya Barkakana
- Sarvoday Niketan Kuju
- , NH-23, Gola Road, Marang Marcha
- D A V Public School: a) N T S Barkakana b) Rajrappa Project c) Kedla d) Ara e) Agrasen DAV, Bharech Nagar
- Shri Guru Nanak Senior Secondary School, Ramgarh Cant
- J.M.DIVINE ADARSH VID1YA SCHOOL, Chhattar Mandu, Ramgarh
- Sidhartha Public School, Ramgarh Cant
- Sri Krishna Vidya Mandir, Ramgarh Cantt
- Siddhartha Public School, Rishipattanam
- Saraswati Vidya Mandir :a) Rapappa Project, b) Sirka, c) Sarubera
- Radha Gobind Public School, Ramgarh Cant
- Holy Cross School, Ghatotand
- St. Ann's School, Kaitha, Ramgarh Cantt
- Ramprasad Chandra Bhan Public School, Ramgarh Cantt.
- Nehru Children Convent High School,Rajeev Nagar, Ghato Tand
- , N. T. S. Barkakana
- Agrasen D. A. V. Public School, Countly, Bharech Nagar, Sandi.
- Shri Guru Nanak Senior Secondary School-on NH-33, near Block Office.
- , on Ramgarh-Bhurkunda Road
- Radha Gobind Public School, near Ramgarh College, Jara Tola.
- Goodwill Mission School Rajrappa Road Gola
- Shri Krishna Vidhya Mandir, Vikas Nagar, near Gaushala, AT & PO - Ramgarh Cantt.
- Sidhartha Public School, near Block Office.
- St Ann's School, Kaitha, Gola Road.
- Delhi Public School
- K.G.T. School, near Block Office.
- Pradise Public School, Coming Soon
- Islamic Academy, Saudagar Mohalla, Ramgarh Cantt.
- Madarsa Anjuman Muslemin Khademin, Saudagar Mohalla, Ramgarh Cantt.
- Maulana Azad Public School, Chaingada, Ramgarh
- Darsgaah-e-Islaami, Chitarpur, Ramgarh
- Sainik School, PRC.
- Public High School, Kuju
- Bal Vidya Mandir, Ara Colliery P.O. Sarubera Distt-Ramgarh Jharkhand,
- D.A.V. Public School, Ara
- D. A. V. Public School Tapin North P.O. Tapin
- D. A. V. Public School Rajrappa Project
- D. A. V. Public School Urimari Sayal Po Sayal
- D. A. V. Public School Kedla Ccl P O Kedla
- Dav Public School P.O.-Gidi-A, Ccl, Argada Area., Argada Area
- Holy Cross School Ghatotand West Bokaro Jharkhand, Ghatotand
- O P Jindal School P O Balkudra, Patratu,
- Patratu School of Economics P.O. Patratu Thermal Power Station, P.O. Box No. 13, P.O. Patratu Thermal Power Station
- Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir- P.O. Sarubera
- Saraswati Vidya Mandir-Rapappa Project Po Rajrappa
- Saraswati Vidya Mandir-At Sirka G M Office Post Argada
- Ramprasad Chandra Bhan Public School, Bazar samitee, Ramgarh
- D. A. V. Public School, Topa
- Sri Agrasen Senior Secondary School, Patel Nagar, Bhurkunda, Ramgarh
- Gandhi Memorial High School, Lohar Tola, near old bus stand, Ramgarh Cant
- Kuju High School, Kuju
- S.V.N. High School, Ghatotand
- Chitarpur high School- At Chitarpur
- Army Public School, Ramgarh Cantt.
Colleges
- Ramgarh College, Ramgarh.
- C.N. College, Ramgarh
- J.M. College, Bhurkunda
- Jubilee College, Bhurkunda
- P.T.P.S. College, Patratu.
- Mandu college
Technical Institutes
A new Engineering college started this year 2013. Ramgarh Engineering College.
Government is also planning to open Jharkhand state first women's engineering College at Ramgarh.
Medical colleges
Government is planning to open a new ESI Medical College in the district.
Management College
Birsa Institute of Technical Education started in 2012 at Ramgarh
Pharmacy College/Institute
Trinity Education: Ranchi Road,Ramgarh cantt
Markets and entertainment
Markets:- Main markets are Ramgarh, Patratu, Bhurkunda, Kuju and Gola.
- The Temple of Warriors
- Rotary Club:Near Mahatma Gandhi Chowk, Ramgarh cant. The Rotary Club of Ramgarh held its inaugural meeting on 5 November 1961
- Lions Club: a) Ramgarh Cant b) Bhurkunda.
- Gymkhana Club: Ranchi Road, Ramgarh.
- Zarina Khatoon Museum Cum Research Centre at Chitarpur.
Culture
Fairs and festivals
The major and most celebrated fairs and festivals include Dipawali, Holi, Chhath, Dussehra or Durga Puja or Navaratri, Ramanavami, Karma, Sarhul, Tusu, Eid, Sarsawati puja, Makar Sankranti, Jivitputrika or Jitiya etc. Due to presence of industries and mining activities Viskarma Puja is also one of the important festival. Makar Sankranti fair in Rajrappa mandir also attracts lots of people. Fairs also organized during Jitiya, karma and others festival.Cuisine
Ramgarh has a variety of foods and cuisines. The most known and common cuisine in Ramgarh that are practically prepared in every household includes Roti or Phulka, Rice or Bhat, Dal, Sabzi or Tarkari and last but definitely not the least, Achar or Pickle. Duska and Vada is famous local fast food. Salty Duska ingredients is rice and urad dal. Ingredient of Vada is also urad dal. Different types of flowers and leaves are used as a vegetables like Bamboo shoot pakoras, Pampkin flower fried pakoras, Khukri or mushroom tarkari etc. Khoya pedas of Rajrappa mandir is also famous dry sweets.Filming location
A number of Bollywood movies were shot in the area, including Kaala Patthar, Koyelaanchal, , Ranchi Diaries and Sholay.Places of interest
Pilgrimage sites
Tooti Jharna Temple: Situated about from Ramgarh cantonment on NH-33 Patna-Ranchi highway a temple of Lord Shiva where water from river falls through a canal on Shivalinga. The Raghu baba of this temple is belongs from the nearby village Digwar and hence most of the Digwar villagers are connected with this temple. To reach this temple take a route of Ranchi-Patna road and take a right turn from Ranchi Road. It is very near to Ranchi road, just ahead towards the way of Village Digwar.Mayatungri Temple:It is also known as daughter of the Hills and is South of Ramgarh in the Chutupalu Valley. Although it is located on a height of, it takes only 15 minutes to march its peak. Every year the local festival of karma is celebrated here with gaiety and fanfare by the people of the surrounding villages. It is popularly believed that worshipping on the hill brings rain to this area. Nowadays on the occasion of Durgapuja, Nawratra is performed twice a year on this hill.
Kaitha Shiv Mandir: This ancient temple of Shiwa is loeated on NH-23 and is away from Ramgarh cantonment. It has been declared as a National Monument. The temple was built in 1670. The Shivalinga in the temple is located at a height which is accessible by means of two stairs. At present this temple is in a dilapidated condition.
Khere Math: Khere Math temple of Gautama Buddha is situated at Matwa-tand village near NH-23 of Gola Block.
Gurudawara Singh Sabha: This Gurudwara was established and inaugurated by the Sikh community of Ramgarh around 1940 in a small room situated on Shivajee road in Ramgarh. But today a grand structure has taken the form of Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in place of that small room. It is the centre of attraction for its great tomb and minarets. The interior decoration of the Darbar hall of Gurudwara Sahib is picture squire.
Rajrappa Mandir
The Maa Chhinmastika temple is situated at Rajrappa, away from Ramgarh Cantonment on the confluence of rivers Damodar and Bhairavi or Bhera. This temple finds place in Vedas and Puranas and it has been recognized as an ancient and strong source of Shakti. The Chhinamastika Temple is a place of Hindu pilgrimage. Devotees from all corners of Country visit this holy place throughout the year. The temple is very old and its architectural design is the same as that of other temples of tantrik importance. Though its antiquity is yet to be dated. Marriages are also solemnized here on a large scale. The headless statue of Goddess Chhinamastika stands upon the bodies of Kamdeo and Rati in a lotus bed. A number of other temples have come up around the original temple. Particularly, the temples of Mahavidyas built in a series and others temple like Sun God temple, Lord Shiva temple God hanuman temple, Ma Kali temple etc.In Hindu Mythology Damodar is considered an incarnation of God Shiva and while Bharvi is Goddess Shakti. Confluence of both river in Rajrappa consider as scared union of Damoder and Bharvai. The water of river Bharvi flow down from top to river damoder which is flows below, it is also shows Goddess or Devi power. Many take a dip in the river before offering puja.According to the following books, from East India Gazetteer by W.Hamilton published on 1828 chapter Ramgarh, to Comprehensive History of Bihar by DR B. P. Sinha published on 1974, there is no evidence of pilgrimage place like Rajrappa or eixistance of Chhinamastika Temple at Rajrappa in Ramgarh area of undivided Bihar. Hundred years before the present Damodar river was known as DAMUDA, Damu means sacred and Da means water in Mundari language and RAJRAPPA means the burning place of kings in mundari rappa means burn. According to Historian G. S. Sardesai, Rajputs from West India came to Bengal in the train of Peshwa Nana Saheb and there was last clash between Peshwa and Raghuji Bhonshle in between present Gola and Chitrapur mountain pass of Ramgarh in 1743, and for this the advance troops of peshwa missing their passage to Ramgarh and they turned their way in the strange jungle and reached near the confluence of Bera river near Damuda. probably the missing unfortunate general was prince of Jawa KARAM singh with his troops, and they never joined Peshwa due to dense forest and unknown mountainpass. Some Rajpoots demised due to immense misery and they were burnt there, later on this wild place was recognised as Rajrappa by Mundari speaking people. After some years this place became prominent due to the daughter of Karam Raja TUSU. She became sati by sacrificing her life in the water fall of Rajrappa after one day of Makar to get rid of Mirza Ramjani, brother of deceased Mogul Nawab Siraj. After that there was a tradition to immersed Tusu's Idol on her death anniversary at Rajrappa in her memory. Later on her soul was worshiped by her men and local people at RAJRAPPA in a small mandir by Sabar priest, still now the Makar Mela is very famous by the local people, but few years back TUSU's immersion was declined due to many reasons describe by the natives. some Bramhins priest from Medinpur settled near by Rajrappa due to gathering of people and popularity of that small Mandir. Later on TUSU's name was forgotten and her small mandir was shifted some feets above near the water fall and converted it to famous chhinamastika Temple recently.
Rajrappa is not only famous Shakti Peeth but also a picnic spot. Food, cooking materials, groceries, milk, fruits and fresh vegetable are also available in the market.
Now one portion of sand beach of river Bharvi is prepared for picnic by madir samiti with the help of caretaker or agent. They will provide space with Chatai, table etc. after paying some nominal charge. During the rainy season the paid sand beach submerged with water.
How to Reach
By air: The nearest airport is Ranchi
By rail: The nearest railway stations are Ramgarh Cant station, Ranchi Road, Barkakana, Ranchi, Koderma.
By road:
Get down at Ramgarh Cantonment and take a trekker or jeep to reach Rajrappa Mandir. From early morning to evening trekker or jeep are available at old bus stand.
Bus service:
Only one bus service provided by Ramgarh project Cooperative Society is running between Rajrappa mandir to Ranchi via Ramgarh Cantonment.
Regular bus services are available from new bus stand Ramgarh Cantonment to all important places of Jharkhand and Bihar.
Road route:
- Route for tourist coming from Ranchi, Jamshedpur, and Hazaribag:
- Route for tourist coming from Dhanbad, Bokaro and Muri:
Gola-Chitarpur -Rajrappa Mandir
Accommodations
Low and medium budget hotels are available at Ramgarh Cant.
Jharkhand tourism dept. has constructed a new mega complex in Rajrappa mandir for tourist which consists:
- Yoga center
- Meditation or Dhayan center
Historic monuments
Mahatama Gandhi Samadhi Sathal:Samadhi Sathal, Ramgarh
This sthal popularly known as Gandhi Ghat is situated on the bank of river Damodar in Ramgarh. Mohandas K. Gandhi had visited Ramgarh in 1940 at the time of the Indian National Congress session at Ramgarh. After the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948, the pitcher containing the remains of the departed soul were dispatched to different places of our country and Ramgarh is fortunate to be one of those places. A Samadhi of Gandhiji was erected on it. Earlier, a fair used to be organized here on the occasion of the birthday and anniversary of Bapu but now this practice has been abandoned. The Samadhi is made of Black Granite Stones.
China Cemetery: Situated away from Ramgarh cantonment, China Kabristan is a famous historical monument. At the outbreak of World War II some soldiers who rose in history against Mawtse tunge the grate hero of Cultural Revolution and who were also the supporters of the friendly states were made capture and imprisoned at Ramgarh. After a few days these soldiers died of hunger and snake bites. A collective burial ground of these soldiers who had died of hunger and snake bites was made in this China Kabristan where these are a total of 667 graves. In the middle of the graveyard a pillar in memory of Chyan Kai Sek was erected. The total area covered by this graveyard is around seven acres. There is a Buddha temple also in its vicinity. Three cantonment have come into existence around the graveyard. Inside the graveyard the pucca roads have been indorsed with rows of flowers. China Kabristan is in fact a material witness to the annals of the history of Ramgarh.
Megalithic sites of Ramgarh District: Ramgarh district is very rich in ancient and historical sites, different Megaliths site has been identified near Chitarpur, Gola and Kuju.
Nature tourism
Patratu Dam or Nalkari Dam Constructed on Nalkari and others small rivers is around from Patratu. Surrounded by hills, forest and rivers, Nalkari dam is used for picnic and boating. This dam was constructed with the purpose of supplying water to Patratu Thermal Power Station.The total storage capacity of this dam is 81 square miles. Boating has been started from 14 January 2010 on the dam. Patratu dam is located 28 km from Ramgarh Cantt and 35 km from Ranchi.Dhur-duria Fall: Dhurduria fall situated near Sidhwar village is about from Ramgarh Cantt. The fall is created on the course of Sherbhuki river. Road is up to Sidhwar village only so approach road should be constructed from Sidhwar village to fall. The water falls from approximately height.
Am-Jharia Fall: Situated near the border of Halwadi and Sidhwar village.
Nimi Fall:Nimi fall situated near nimi village and around from Bhurkunda.
Dhara Fall: Dhara Fall is situated near Khakara village under Gola Block. Government is planning to construct approach road from NH-23 to fall.
Gandhaunia : Situated at about. near Mandu. It is a hot water spring.
Chutupallu: Situated at about from Ramgarh on the Ramgarh - Ranchi NH 33 is a hill top with many dhabas and motels in the way after crossing Chutupallu that offer food.
Bankhetta: Situated near Chutupallu. Water falls from a height giving the feeling of rainfall in a cave when someone claps inside.
Liril Fall: Situated between Ramgarh and Chutupallu looks like the fall from the old Liril Soap advertisement. It is popularly known as Liril Fall.
Barso Paani: Situated at about. from Ramgarh near Charhi towards Hazaribagh. Water falls from the ceiling giving the feeling of rainfall in a cave when someone claps.
Hundru Fall:The Hundru Fall located near the Ranchi-Ramgarh district border is created on the course of the Subarnarekha River.