Jharkhand is a pilgrim haven, once part of the Bihar state known for its rich culture and tradition. It is home to around 72 main Hindu temples and the majority of them are dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. The temples in Jharkhand are constructed from Terracotta and have historical and cultural significance in the country. They display brilliant architecture and attract tourists from around the globe.
Here are the Top 10 Spiritual Places in Jharkhand:
1. Bindudham at Barhwara
Bindudham or Binduswani Mandir is located at Barhwara in the Sahibganj District. The temple is dedicated to Tridevi or Maha Durga or Kali, Maha Lakshmi, and Maha Saraswati in the form of Shaktipeeth where you can find a 35 feet statue of the Monkey God, Hanuman and his sacred footprints. Chetra Navratra Durga Puja is the most widely celebrated festival here.
- Location: Barhwara
- Timings:
- Entry Fees: No entry fee
2. Baidyanath Temple, Deoghar
Baba Baidyanath Dham, also known as Vaidyanatha Jyotirlinga temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the most sacred abodes of Shiva. The Holy book states that at Baidyanath, Ravana worshipped Shiva and later relinquished his head as a token of his compensation. It’s popular for post-burial services and the Tantra sadhanas.
This temple is situated in Deoghar, Jharkhand.
- Location: Deoghar
- Timings: 06:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- Entry Fees: No entry fee
3. Maluti Temples in Maluti Village
Located in the Maluti village are a group of 78 extant terracotta temples. The Maluti temples are said to have been constructed between the 17th and 19th centuries during the rule of Baj Basanta of the Pala dynasty. It has been declared as one of the 12 most endangered cultural heritage sites by the Global Heritage Fund. The deities worshipped in these temples are the tutelary deity Mowlakshi, Lord Shiva and Vishnu, and Goddess Kali and Durga.
- Location: Maluti Village
- Timings:
- Entry Fees: No entry fee
4. Jagannath Temple in Ranchi
Located on the top of a hill in Ranchi, the construction of the Jagannath temple was completed on 25th December in the year 1691. The architecture is quite similar to the Jagannath temple in Puri. The temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath. It was built by the king of Barkagarh Jagannathpur Thakur Ani Nath Shahdeo.
- Location: Ranchi
- Timings: 05:00 AM to 12:00 PM & 03:00 PM to 06:00 PM
- Entry Fees: No entry fee
5. Chinnamasta Temple in Ramgarh District
Located at Rajrappa in Ramgarh district, the main attraction of the Chhinnamasta (also known as Chinnamastika) temple is the headless deity of Goddess Chinnamasta which stands on the body of Kamdeo and Rati in the lotus bed.
The temple is famous for its Tantrik-style architectural design.
There are 10 temples in the complex dedicated to Gods and Goddesses such as Surya, Hanumana, and Shiva.
- Location: Ramgarh district
- Timings: 8:00 AM to 9:40 PM
- Entry Fees: No entry fee
6. Sri Sri Kalika Maharani Temple in Bokaro
The Sri Sri Kalika Maharani Temple at Chira Chas, Jharkhand had 5 entrances, each made of a petal house and beautifully constructed. The temple is in Bokaro in the state of Jharkhand. It is built by Aashiyaan Estate Developers.
The temple is a new structure completed in 2012 and is a two-storey structure with a tall Stupa which is 90 feet tall, 50 feet in breadth, and the temple is over 160 feet long.
The mini township of Kalika Vihar is named after this temple. The temple is spread over half an acre and is dedicated to Goddess Kali. The temple complex also has temples dedicated to Lord Hanuman and Sri Ram.
- Location: Bokaro
- Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Entry Fees: No entry fee
7. Harihar Dham in Giridih
Known as Harihar Dham, it falls on the Hazaribagh-Bagodar road of NH 100 from Ranchi. The temple has the tallest Shiva linga in the world measuring 65 feet (20 mts). Harihar Dham temple located in Giridih is spread over an area of around 25 acres and is surrounded by a river. The 65-foot Shiv temple took a span of 30 years to complete the construction.
The major festival celebrated here is the Shravan Poornima to worship Lord Shiva. Harihar Dham is also a popular place for marriage for people of the Hindu religion. Nag Panchami is yet another popular festival celebrated here where a cobra is worshipped.
- Location: Giridih
- Timings: 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM & 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM
- Entry Fees: No entry fee
8. Jharkhand Dham at Dhanwarh
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Jharkhand Dham (also known as Jharkhandi) is a temple of Lord Shiva and a significant pilgrim center, located near Dhanwar in Giridih District in the state of Jharkhand. The structures of this place are roofless which are its unique features. The devotees of Shiva offer prayers here during Maha Shiva Ratri.
- Location: Dhanwarh
- Timings:
- Entry Fees: No entry fee
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9. Sun Temple
Dedicated to the Sun God, the Sun Temple in Ranchi is one of the major travel destinations cum pilgrimage sites in Jharkhand. The route which leads to the temple offers some of the finest picturesque locales of the Chota Nagpur Plateau region. The Sun Temple is located amidst lush greenery and serene surroundings and absolutely worth a visit.
Located around 40 km from the city of Ranchi, this is one of the newest temples of Jharkhand. The temple was constructed by Sanskrit Vihar, a charitable trust.
The Sun Temple has extremely captivating architecture and has the shape of a giant vehicle with 18 wheels driven by 7 seven horses. The temple complex also has a holy pond which is highly revered among Hindus.
- Location: Bundu, Ranchi
- Timings: 6:00 AM to 7.30 PM
- Entry Fees: No entry fee
10. Naulakha Mandir
Naulakha Mandir is situated at a distance of around 2 km from Baba Baidyanath Temple. The temple resembles the famous Ramakrishna Belur Nath temple of Kolkata in terms of its architecture. The 146-foot-tall temple has mesmerizing idols of Radha and Krishna. The temple was built by the Queen of Pathuria Ghat.
- Location: Deoghar
- Timings: 07:00 AM to 12:00 PM & 02:00 PM to 07:00 PM
- Entry Fees: No entry fee
11. Dewri Temple in Ranchi
Dewri Mandir is located in Tamar 60 km, on the Tata-Ranchi Highway (NH33), south of Ranchi is a devotional hub of the city. Dedicated to the ferocious 16-armed Goddess Kali (Solha Bhuji Goddess, a form of Maa Durga), which is 700 years old.
The temple also has an idol of Lord Shiva and the complex is spread over 2 acres. The Deori Mandir was originally built by a tribal devotee of the goddess with nothing but sandstone.
It is believed that this temple is the only temple where 6 tribal priests, Pahan, perform rituals and offer prayers alongside the Brahmin priests.
- Location: Ranchi
- Timings: 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Entry Fees: No entry fee
Embarking on a temple trail in Jharkhand is an enriching experience. It is home to one of the world’s tallest shillings and one of the 12 jyotirlingas in India. With the spellbound waterfalls, Jharkhand is a tourist magnet and also a treasure trove of spiritual destinations.
FAQs: Exploring the Divine Temples of Jharkhand
1. What is the best time to visit the temples in Jharkhand?
Answer: The best time to visit the temples in Jharkhand is from October to March. During these months, the weather is pleasant, making it ideal for temple visits and participating in outdoor religious festivals. Monsoon season (July to September) is also significant for visiting the Baidyanath Dham during the Shravan Mela.
2. Which temple in Jharkhand is a part of the twelve Jyotirlingas?
Answer: The Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar is revered as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. It holds immense religious significance and attracts devotees from all over India, especially during the Shravan month for the Kanwar Yatra.
3. Are there any Kali temples in Jharkhand?
Answer: Yes, Jharkhand is home to several significant Kali temples. The most famous among them is the Chinnamasta Temple in Rajrappa, dedicated to Goddess Chinnamasta, a unique form of Goddess Kali depicted without a head.
4. Can you recommend a temple in Ranchi for panoramic city views?
Answer: The Pahari Mandir in Ranchi is located atop a hill and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the city from this vantage point. The climb to the temple itself is considered a pilgrimage, offering a serene and spiritual experience.
5. What are some of the ancient temples in Jharkhand worth visiting?
Answer: Jharkhand has several ancient temples that are worth visiting, including:
- Jagannath Temple, Ranchi: Known for its annual Rath Yatra.
- Dewri Mandir: Located on the outskirts of Ranchi, surrounded by nature.
- Maluti Temples: A group of ancient terracotta temples in Dumka district, offering a glimpse into the architectural style of the past.
6. How can I reach the Baidyanath Dham Temple in Deoghar?
Answer: Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar is accessible by rail, road, and air. The nearest railway station is Jasidih, around 7 km away. The nearest airport is Deoghar Airport, but it has limited connectivity. Alternatively, Patna and Ranchi airports are better-connected options, from where you can take a train or road transport to Deoghar.
7. What is unique about the Chinnamasta Temple in Rajrappa?
Answer: The Chinnamasta Temple is unique for its depiction of Goddess Chinnamasta, a headless deity, holding her own severed head and drinking the blood sprouting from her neck. This rare form represents the cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction.
8. Are there any Shiva temples in Jharkhand where I can participate in religious activities?
Answer: Yes, many Shiva temples in Jharkhand host religious activities, especially during significant festivals like Maha Shivratri and Shravan month. The Pahari Mandir in Ranchi and the Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar are prominent spots for participating in puja and aarti.
9. What are some of the must-visit temples in Ranchi?
Answer: In Ranchi, must-visit temples include:
- Jagannath Temple: Famous for its annual Rath Yatra.
- Pahari Mandir: Known for its Shiva lingam and panoramic views.
- Dewri Mandir: Notable for its architecture and serene surroundings.
10. How can I explore the Maluti Temples in Dumka?
Answer: The Maluti Temples, located in the village of Maluti in Dumka district, are best explored by road. You can hire a taxi or drive from Dumka or Bhagalpur. It’s advisable to hire a local guide to learn about the history and architecture of these ancient terracotta temples.
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