Ranchi is the capital city of the mesmerising Jharkhand state. It is known for its unique blend of culture, natural beauty and rapid urbanisation. This is where you will see towering hills, dense forests, cascading waterfalls and rippling lakes – all in one place. The city’s multifaceted charm attracts a lot of tourists every year! If you are visiting this city soon, we suggest that you make a list of things to do in Ranchi! This way, you can plan your time here properly and get the best out of your vacation.
Ranchi can prove to be the perfect recreational retreat that you are looking for. The atmosphere is serene and beautiful. The people are plenty and there are good facilities to cater to your needs, especially if you are planning to stay for a long time.
Here we bring you the 11 finest things to do in Ranchi on your next trip. From ancient temples to viewpoints, waterfalls to gardens, we bring you every activity that deserves your attention in this marvellous city in Jharkhand.
Read on!
Also Read: GEAR UP THIS TIME OF THE YEAR! CHECK OUT THESE 12 PLACES TO VISIT IN RANCHI
11 Worth-While Things to Do in Ranchi
1 – Boat Ride at the Ranchi Lake
The Ranchi Lake is an artificial wonder that was excavated by British officials in 1842. This is one of the best places to spend your evenings if you enjoy ending your day in a very tranquil environment. The Ranchi Lake is absolutely stunning when the evening sunrays reflect off of the surface of the rippling water. The droplets look like diamonds and shine so bright. If you go on a boat ride, it feels like you are reaching closer and closer toward these diamonds but they are somehow still far from your reach. The lake is at the base of Ranchi Hill and this scenery is so mesmerising! You should definitely explore this lake, and the food stalls in the area, get the ultimate boating experience and probably end the day on a picnic blanket with delicious sandwiches.
Location: Ranchi Lake, Upper Bazaar, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 834001
Timings: The Lake will be open 24/7
2 – Seek Blessings at Jagannath Temple
The Jagannath temple is present at the top of the Ranchi Hill. The pristine white exterior will set you at ease as soon as you lay your eyes upon this spiritual wonder. It was built in the year 1691 and resembles the infamous Puri Jagannath temple in Orissa. The intricate carvings and religious sculptures inside the temple are the main attractions. You will have to climb a lot of stairs but everything is worth it once you reach the peak. From there, you get to see the splendid view of the Ranchi lake and the surrounding greenery. Also, you can enjoy the birds-eye view of the city. It would be great if you could come here in the morning as the sunrise from the temple is absolutely stunning and peaceful. In the months of June and July, you can witness the breathtaking Rath Yatra.
Location: Jagannathpur Chowk Khataal, Sector 1 Jagannathpur, hec, Khataal, Dhurwa, Khataal, Jagannathpur, Ranchi, Jharkhand 834004
Timings: 5:30 AM to 7:30 PM
3 – Admire Sunset at Tagore Hill
The Tagore Hill is named after the famous Bengali poet, Rabindranath Tagore. It stands at an elevation of 300 feet and offers you a picturesque view of Ranchi city. If you can reach here in the evening, the sky turns into a canvas. The stripes of orange, red and pink are so impressive and you can capture this beauty in your pictures! The breeze is absolutely soothing and will help you shrug off stress and worries. It is said that Rabindranath Tagore used to frequent this place and write his novels on the hilltop because he used to enjoy the serene ambience! One of the most satisfying things to do in Ranchi is to enjoy the pleasant atmosphere at Tagore Hill.
Location: Morabadi Rd, Van Vrindavan Colony, Morabadi, Ranchi, Jharkhand 834008
Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (it is always better to come down before sunset)
4 – Get A Glimpse of the Sun Temple
One of the best things to do in Ranchi is to get a glimpse of the Sun Temple. The sheer magnificence of the place is so eye-boggling that you will be left standing in awe. It is built like an actual chariot with 18 tiers and divine horsing pulling it. The pristine white exterior is calming and tranquil. Just like the Jagannath temple, the Sun temple is also present on a hill and you should climb up a little to get a glimpse of the mighty Sun God. There is a sacred tank on the temple grounds that holds great religious significance for Hindus. Whenever you come to the temple, you will feel a cool and refreshing breeze brushing your face. People say that you can always feel the heat of the sun when you come to this temple. Isn’t that fascinating?!
Location: 5HJ6+QQF, Ancillary Industrial Area, Pithiyatil, Ranchi, Edalhatu, Jharkhand 834004
Timings: 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Also Read: HISTORIC AND MODERN MARVELS: 10 UNMISSABLE THINGS TO DO IN BHUBANESHWAR
5 – Relax at the Dassam Falls
Dassam Falls is one of the most sought-after tourist places in the city. One of the best things to do in Ranchi is to relax and enjoy the breathtaking vistas at these waterfalls. There was a time when it was very difficult to reach this spot but seeing how tourists are very interested in visiting this natural waterfall, the government made routes better and also organised restrooms for people. You will also find food stalls here now! The waterfall is so spectacular with ten streams of Kanchi River waterfalls from a height of 140 feet! The force of water is strong most of the time so be very cautious when you plan to dip your legs in.
Location: 4FW8+GV5, Tarub, Jharkhand 835204
Timings: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
6 – Explore the Birsa Zoological Park
If you are an animal lover, then one of the most entertaining things to do in Ranchi is to visit the Birsa Zoological Park. You will find it on the Patna-Ranchi highway. Near the main gate, you have food stalls where you can pick up some snacks and beverages before entering the park. However, be mindful to not litter the place. You can be a part of the pet assistance programs here that will bring you closer to animals and empathise with their needs. In the zoological parks, you can find deer, elephants, tigers, and lions in their natural habitat. As long as you do not disturb or aggravate the animals, spending 4 to 5 hours in this park is absolutely worthwhile!
Location: Main Road, National Highway 33, Ormanjhi, Jharkhand 835219
Timings: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
7 – Enjoy the View From Patratu Valley
Love roadtrips? Then one of the most interesting things to do in Ranchi is to enjoy the view from Patratu Valley. More than the valley viewpoint itself, your journey to reach the spot is more enthralling. The translucent mist coupled with the eye-catchy panoramas are sure to create a lasting impression on anyone who embarks on a journey toward the Patratu Valley. The ardent car/bike drivers will enjoy the S-curves and U-curves on this route. There are certain spots where you can slow down your vehicle and click pictures but it’s not advisable to stop entirely. Also, avoid these roads at night as thieves tend to stop the vehicles and loot valuables.
Location: Kanke Patratu Rd, Ranchi, Rarha, Jharkhand 829209
Timings: Open 24 Hours but avoid midnight journeys.
8 – Shopaholics Should Go on Jewellery Shopping
Shopaholics will definitely enjoy buying jewellery and clothes in Ranchi. Here you will find everything from gold, silver, tribal, and oxidised ornaments. There are dress materials and designer sarees at wholesale prices. The main road market in Ranchi is famous for its contemporary jewellery that you can wear on casual wear and Indo-western fusions. The Ratu Road has shops where you can find authentic gold and silver jewellery along with garments and accessories for men. Lalpur market is ideal for buying expensive gifts like stones, diamonds, and rings. As someone who enjoys going from shop to shop, one of the best things to do in Ranchi is to get some blingy jewellery that is going to transform the look of your attire – for good!
Location: Main Road, Lalpur Market, and Ratu Road
Timings: 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
9 – Picnic at the Nakshatra Van
People who believe in zodiac signs and show interest in star constellations will enjoy spending time in Nakshatra Van. The word ‘Nakshatra’ means stars and ‘Van’ means garden. The entire park is split into many different zones easily representing a constellation and a particular zodiac sign. One of the sure-shot things to do in Ranchi is to go on a picnic in this mesmerising Van. However, we are not referring to the conventional picnic basket, blanket and sandwich sort of picnic. In the evenings, you will find that the park lights up gorgeously and a musical fountain will add more glamour to the place. This is when you can fetch a packet of snacks, go on walks, sit on the benches or lounge under the trees and enjoy leisure time. This is the best place to relax before the sun disappears behind the horizon.
Location: Rajbhawan Road, near Rajbhavan, Ranchi University, Morabadi, Ranchi, Jharkhand 834001
Timings: 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM
10 – Walk Around the Footbridge Rock Garden
A simple stone can be turned into a piece of intricate artwork. The existing proof of this statement is the Rock Garden in Ranchi. All of the sculptures, statues, art and carvings are made on slabs of stone. In fact, the entire garden is made from the rocks of Gonda Hill! You will find a footbridge in the Rock Garden. On either side of the bridge are several art pieces with very precise details. You can help but applaud the work of our Indian craftsmen! Along with the art, you can also enjoy the breathtaking birds-eye view of the Ranchi lake.
Location: Rock Garden, Gandhi Nagar, Ranchi, Jharkhand
Timings: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
11 – Feel the Divine Presence at Pahari Mandir
You will find the Pahari Mandir packed with devotees during Shivratri and the Karthika and Sawaan months. This is a beautiful hilltop temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Here, you will find him in the linga form and people believe it to be one of the most powerful temples in Ranchi. You will have to climb a total of 438 steps to reach the main sanctum sanctorum. This temple is 350 feet above ground level and 2140 feet above sea level. In the pre-independence era, the Britishers used to hang freedom fighters on the same hill near the temple. That is why, you will also see the locals hosting the Indian National Flag near the temple during Independence and Republic days. This is one of the first temples in the country where the practice of hosting the national flag is diligently followed every year!
Location: Shiv shanti path pahari mandir, Ranchi, Jharkhand 834001
Timings: 4:30 AM to 9:00 PM
You can visit Ranchi any time during the year and you will find that the atmosphere and climate are very pleasing. The locals are sweet and helpful. The food is lip-smackingly good and you can explore the street food stalls which are generously spread out throughout the city. When you do go to Ranchi, do not miss out on doing the activities mentioned in this blog.
You will surely have a lot of fun!
