'''Ranchi''' is the capital of the Indian state of Jharkhand.
Understand
Ranchi is located on the Chotanagpur plateau, at a height of 2,140 feet above sea level.The entire area is generally covered with red soil. Extensive forests around Ranchi are composed mainly of sal, gambhar, asan, kend, simul and mahua. Bears, sambar, chital, nilgai and hares are found in the forests. Summer afternoons are hot but evenings and nights are cool and enjoyable(maximum 37 degrees centigrade, min 16 degrees centigrade). It is cool/cold in winter (maximum 22 degrees centigrade and minimum 8 degrees centigrade). Annual rainfall is 1530 mm. [http://ranchi.nic.in/welcome.htm]
Language
Languages spoken are Hindi, Maithili, Urdu, Sadri, Oraon, Mundari and some dialects. English is not a common language but is well understood at most of the tourist spots. Even if it is not understood at a place, people are willing to help around with interpretation.
Get in
By air
The Ranchi Airport (Code: IXR) is located in Hinoo. It is approximately 7 km from the city centre. The airport name is Bhagwan Birsa Munda Airport.
'''Indian''' (previously Indian Airlines) operates a Mumbai-Delhi-Ranchi-Patna flight. Check [http://indian-airlines.nic.in/scripts/flightschedule.aspx Flight Schedule]
Recently its ally (Alliance Air) has added another daily flight between Delhi - Ranchi - Bhubaneshwar.
'''Air Deccan''' operates 2 daily flights from/to Kolkata. Check [http://www.airdeccan.net/air/flifo_common.asp Flight Information]
It also operates an Airbus 320 between New Delhi - Patna - Ranchi.
'''Air Sahara''' operates flights from Delhi (S2 6163) and to Delhi (S2 6164) Check [http://www.airsahara.net/s2v1/ Flight Status] . It also operates flights to Bangalore, Mumbai and Lucknow via Delhi.
'''MDLR Airlines''' operates Chandigarh-Delhi-Ranchi-Jamshedpur-Kolkata flight.
'''Jet Lite''' operates Mumbai-Ranchi-Mumbai Daily flight.
By rail
Ranchi is connected by rail to important places all over the country. Hatia is a station next to Ranchi and serves as terminus for many of the trains. Given below are some of the convenient trains. The first number is for the train from Ranchi and second for the train to Ranchi.
Daily trains: 8616/8615 Hatia Howrah Express, 8624/8623 Hatia Patna Express, 8622/8621 Hatia Patna Pataliputra Express, 8611/8612 Ranchi Garhwa Banaras Inter-City Express, 3352/3351 Dhanbad Bokaro Allepy Express, 8601/8602 Hatia Jammu Tawi Express, 5027/5028 Hatia Gorakhpur Mayurya Express, 8451/8452 Hatia Puri Tapaswini Express, 8608/8607 Ranchi Baidyanathdham Express.
Other trains: 2020/2019 Ranchi Howrah Shatabdi Express (no train on Sunday), 3304/3303 Hatia Dhanbad Inter-City Express (no train on Sunday), 2439/2440 Ranchi New Delhi Rajdhani Express (biweekly), 8603/8604 Hatia Delhi Jharkhand Swarna Jayanti Express (via Barkakhana) (triweekly), 8605/8606 Hatia Delhi Jharkhand Swarna Jayanti Express (via Gomoh) (triweekly), 8609/8610 Ranchi Lokmanya Tilak Express (weekly), 2812/2811 Hatia Lokmanya Tilak Express (weekly), 2835/2836 Ranchi Yeshwantpur Express (weekly), 3403/3404 Ranchi Bhagalpur Vananchal Express (via Andal) (triweekly) , 3405/3406 Ranchi Bhagalpur Vananchal Express (biweekly).
For timings etc. check with [http://www.indianrail.gov.in/ Indian Railways].
By road
Ranchi is well connected by a network of roads with all the neighbouring cities and towns. The distance to some important locations are as follows: Bokaro 110 km, Dhanbad 170 km, Jamshedpur 140 km, Chaibasa 130 km, Hazaribagh 100 km, Gaya 220 km, Patna 340 km, Barhi (on NH 2 Grand Trunk Road) 136 km, Rourkela 250 km, Kolkata 415 km. Bus connections are available for almost all cities and towns in the area.
Get around
Hired cars, autorickshaws and cycle rickshaws are available for local transportation. Ranchi like a number of other cities in North India, has a concept of share auto. The share autos operate along fixed routes and take in as many passengers as physically possible. Fares vary from Rs. 5 - 10 depending upon the route.
'''By Car (Local)'''
You can easily visit Ranchi through Car. There are many Car Rental Companies available which Provide world Class Services.
'''Enterprises Car Rental'''
'''Savaari Car Rental''',Savaari [http://www.savaari.com Car Rental Ranchi] has a reputation for providing quality luxury car rentals Ranchi. For more information on online booking of Rental Car in Ranchi, Website:[http://www.savaari.com/user/ranchi-car-rentals/car-rentals-ranchi.php]
'''Hertz Car Rental'''
See
'''Kanke Dam'''
'''Dhurva Dam'''- on the outskirts of the city. It is a very good sunset point.
'''Rock Garden -beautiful place to hangout with friends, families, relatives and loved ones entry ticket Rs.10 per adult. Vehicle parking facilites available.'''
'''Tagore Hill'''- at Morabadi, about 5 km from the heart of the city, is about 300 ft. above its base. The elder brother of Rabindranath Tagore, Jyotirindranath Tagore purchased the hillok Morabadi and built up an ''ashram'' after the suicide of her wife Kadambari Devi.
'''Ranchi Lake''' - excavated in 1842, it is centrally situated. The lake has boating facilities.
'''Deer Park''' - 16 km on Ranchi-Khunti Road
'''Birsa Zoological Park''' ? about 14 km away.
'''Pahari Mandir''' ? In Ratu Road ,2 km away from main Road (Firayalal). It is very good place to see whole ranchi in one sight.
Buy
'''Firayalal''' [http://www.firayalal.com]
'''Kashmir Vastralaya'''
'''Big Shop''' [www.bigshopranchi.com]
'''Vishal Mega Mart'''
'''chandu sales'''
'''Rekha Sales Corporation''' http://www.prabhatkhabar.com/addressbook/address.php?id=493 [CDs/DVDs,HandyCams,CyberShot]
'''Rekha Electronic & Mobile''' [Mobiles & Accessories, World Space]
'''Yashvi Enterprises''' [Mobiles & Accessories]
Reliance Mart. anke Road, Ranchi. ock garden. Buy everything from fresh green vegetables to life style products
Dhanuka. itra Market, Upper Bazar. Towels, Bedsheets & Furnishing
Rukka Dam. kms from booty more. A big dam on the outskirts of the city.It offers an excellent ambiance for picnic and recreation.
Eat
Big Bazar. ain Road. ear Overbridge. New Shopping experience in Mall
Reliance Mart. anke Road, Ranchi. ock garden. Buy everything from green vegetables to life style products.
Dhanuka. itra Market - Upper Bazar. Towels and Bedsheet.
On Main Road
'''Kaveri Restaurant, GEL Church Complex''' - Has a collection of North Indian and Chinese dishes. A meal for two would cost close to Rs. 300
'''Krsna Hotel, GEL Church Complex''' - Very similar menu and prices as Kaveri
'''Punjab Sweet House, Opposite GEL Church Complex''' - Marvelous collection of sweets and chaat items
'''Birsa Vihar Birsa Complex''',
'''Dakshini, ''' near Sujata Cinema Hall,M.G.Road.
'''Food Plaza, ''' opposite Gurudwara,M.G.Road, Telephone +91 651 314231
'''Marwari Kalewalay, ''' - It has many franchisee in Ranchi, Telephone +91 651 313185
'''Maruti Watika, ''' Telephone +91 651 200155
'''Sudarshan Restaurant, ''' Telephone +91 651 311670
'''Kathi Kabab, ''' Telephone +91 651 206017
'''Chinar, ''' - it's preparation of non-veg is marvelous in Ranchi.
'''Capitol Hill''' - Buffet meals @ Rs.240 per head, awesome variety of food to choose from. opposite GEL Church Complex M.G.Road,Ranchi.
'''Capitol Residency''' - Buffet meals @ Rs.240 per head, awesome variety of food to choose from. opposite The Ranchi Railways Station, on Station Road.
''' ChuruWala''' - famous for sweets -
Drink
'''Alora Bar & Restaurant'''
'''Birsa D Bar & Restaurant, ''' Birsa Chowk, Khuti Road
'''Hangul Bar & Restaurant, ''' Hotel Chinar, Telephone +91 651 207780/81/82/83
'''Natraj Restaurant & Bar, ''' Telephone +91 651 209383,307087
'''Neelum Bar Restaurant, ''' Telephone +91 651 314231
'''Saqi Bar & Restaurant, ''' Kanke Road
Sleep
'''Hotel Element,''' Station Road, Telephone +91 651 2461931-8
'''Hotel Capitol Hill, Main Road,''' Telephone +91 651 2331331-8
'''Hotel Capital Residency, ''' Station Road, Telephone +91 651 2212031-8
'''Hotel Greenridge Avenue, ''' Station Road
'''South Eastern Railway Hotel, ''' Station Road, Telephone +91 651 314216
'''Hotel Konark,''' Station Road, Telephone +91 651 307840
'''Hotel Kwality Inns,''' Station Road, Telephone +91 651 305469
'''Hotel Amrit,''' Station Road, Telephone +91 651 311068
'''Hotel Satkar,''' Station Road, Telephone +91 651 205339
'''Hotel Chinar,''' Main Road, Telephone +91 651 207780 - 84
'''Hotel Embassy, ''' Main Road, Telephone +91 651 207780 - 84
'''Hotel Hindustan, ''' Main Road, Telephone +91 651 206032/206039/ 205565
'''Gujrat Hotel, ''' Near Taxi Stand, Main Road, Telephone +91 651 309364
'''Sartaj Hotel,''' Main Road, Telephone +91 651 311017
'''Hotel Annapurna,''' Main Road, +91 651 311352
'''Hotel Basera,''' 5 Main Road, Telephone +91 651 312893, +91 651 207237
'''New Sisai Hotel,''' Taxi Stand, Main Road, Telephone +91 651 207221
'''Hotel Yuvraj Palace,''' Doranda, Telephone +91 651 500326 - 27
'''Hotel Ranchi Ashok,''' Doranda, Hinoo, Telephone +91 651 500441
'''Hotel Crown,''' Plaza, Birsa Chowk, Hinoo, Telephone +91 651 500524
'''Anand Hotel, ''' Line Tank Road, Telephone +91 651 313548
'''Ganga Ashram Hotel, ''' Kutchery Road, Telephone +91 651 308602
'''Hotel Apsara, ''' 48 A, Circular Road, Telephone +91 651 312066
'''Hotel Rajasthan,''' Circular Road, Lalpur, Telephone +91 651 304168
'''Palace Hotel,''' Kadru, Telephone +91 651 203694
'''Hotel Park,''' Kadru Road, Telephone +91 651 208457
'''Hotel Akash Ganga,''' North Market Road, Telephone +91 651 307686
'''Hotel Akashwani,''' Ratu Road, Telephone +91 651 207712
'''Hotel Aloka,''' Radium Road, Telephone +91 651 205692
'''Hotel Anuraag,''' Radhey Shyam Lane, Telephone +91 651 206263
'''Hotel Arya,''' Hazaribagh Road, Telephone +91 651 204000
'''Hotel Ashirvad,''' Court Compound, Telephone +91 651 206141
'''Hotel Highland,''' Old Hazaribagh Road, Telephone +91 651 309537
'''Hotel Maharaja,''' Radium Road, Telephone +91 651 206408
'''Hotel Natraj,''' Radhey Shyam Lane, Telephone +91 651 206253
'''Hotel Natraj Mini,''' Opp. Daily Market, Telephone +91 651 209383
'''Hotel New Rajasthan,''' Hazaribagh Road, Lalpur Chowk, Telephone +91 651 311722
'''Hotel Sanjay,''' Hazaribagh Road, Telephone +91 651 312096
'''Hotel Savera,''' Kadeu Chowk, Telephone +91 651 203830
'''Hotel Siddhartha,''' Bangla School Lane, O.C. Cmpnd, Telephone +91 651 209632
'''Hotel Swaraj,''' S.N. Ganguly Road, Telephone +91 651 206252
'''Hotel Anjali''' Purulia Road, Telephone +91 651 9431103003
Stay safe
Do not be carried away by media coverage of stray incidents. Those desirous of travelling out of town, particularly at night, should check with local people, say the hotel management, about the law and order situation in a particular area. However, it is not advisable to venture out late in the evening/ night even in unknown localities of the city unless one is fully aware of that area.
Get out
'''Hundru Falls''' ? about 28 km from Ranchi, on Subarnarekha River, the water falls from a height of 320 feet.
'''Jonha Falls''' - also known as Gautmadhara falls , about 18 km, it is approachable by road and from Gautamdhara railway staion on the Ranchi-Muri section.
'''Dassam Falls''' - about 40 km on Ranchi Jamshedpur Road, near Taimara village, on Kanchi river, the water falls from a height of about 144 feet.
'''Hirni Falls''' ? about 90 km on the Ranchi Chakradharpur Road.
'''Rajrappa Falls''' - about 65 km from Ranchi, also Chhinamasta temple. One has to go to Ramgarh (on the Ranchi-Hazaribagh Road) and then take the road to Bokaro. The falls are at the confluence of the river Damodar and Bhera.
'''Netarhat''' ? 144 km from Ranchi, the _eQueen of Chotanagpur_f at a height of 3622 feet above sea level.
'''Bokaro steel city'''- 128 km from Ranchi, One of the best planned City in country and a industrial giant city surrounded by greenery and well layout infrastructure.
'''Patna''' ? 350 km from Ranchi, AC Deluxe Buses Available from ITDC Ranchi Ashoka, BSTDC/JSTDC Birsa Vihar main Road..
'''Bodhgaya''' ? 200 km from Ranchi, Place of Budha Enlightnment. Buse/Train available to Gaya
'''Sun Temple''' ? Situated about 39 km from Ranchi on the way to Dassam Falls. Private buses or jeeps available from Khadgarha bus stand.
'''Pahari Mandir''' ? Situated at an altitude of 2140 feet from the sea level. There is a temple of God Shiva at the top of the hill from where the whole city can be seen.
'''Tagore Hills''' ? Situated at Morhabadi. It is about 300 feet high and about 3 km from Elbert Ekka Chowk.It is said number of books were written by Rabindra Nath Tagore on the top of the hill. It is panormic view from the top pf the hill. A great part of Ranchi can be seen from this place.