Jharkhand, once part of the Bihar state is known for its rich culture and tradition. A lot of these temples are quite ancient and date back to the Mughal era. Jharkhand is home to around 72 main Hindu temples and the majority of them are dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. These temples display brilliant architecture and attract tourists from around the world. The unique feature of the temples in Jharkhand is that they are constructed from Terracotta, a red clay. Jharkhand temples have historical and cultural significance in the country and it is important that you add them to your bucket list. Check out the most famous temples in Jharkhand.
Best Temples in Jharkhand to Visit:
Here are our 12 top and most famous temples in Jharkhand to visit. Let’s have a look at them.
1. Baidyanath Temple in Deogarh:
Baidyanath Jyothirlinga temple located in Deogarh is one of the twelve Jyothirlingas, the most sacred abode of Shiva. It is also known as Baba Dham and BaidyanathDham and is a temple complex consisting of the main temple of Baba Baidyanath in the form of Jyothirlinga and 21 other temples. Millions of pilgrims visit the shrine during Shravan Mela between July and August.
2. Bindudham at Barhwara:
Bindudham or Binduswani Mandir located at Barhwara is dedicated to Tridevi or Maha Durga or Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati in the form of Shaktipeeth. The temple entrance has a statue of the Sun God, Surya and in another part, there’s a 35 feet statue of the Monkey God, Hanumana where people can see his sacred footprints. Chetra Navratra Durga Puja is the most widely celebrated festival here.
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3. Maluti Temples in Maluti Village:
Maluti temples located in Maluti village are a group of 78 extant terracotta temples. These temples are said to be dated between the 17th to 19th centuries. The temples have deities such as the tutelary deity Mowlakshi, Lord Shiva and Vishnu and Goddess Kali and Durga. There are also temples dedicated to saints Bamakhyapa and Manasa Devi. It has been declared one of the 12 most endangered cultural heritage sites by the Global Heritage Fund.
4. Jagannath Temple in Ranchi:
Jagannath temple located on top of a small hillock in Ranchi was built in 1691. This temple is similar in architecture to the famous Jagannath temple in Puri but much smaller. To reach the temple, people either have to walk to the top or take a vehicle because it’s a long route. Similar to the chariot festival in Puri, the temple here also celebrates the famous RathYatra in the month of Aashadhaa.
5. Chinnamasta Temple in Ramgarh District:
Chinnamasta of Chinnamastika temple is located at Rajrappa in Ramgarh district and is dedicated to Goddess Chinnamasta who is a headless deity which stands on the body of Kamdeo and Rati in the lotus bed. It is famous for its Tantrik-style architectural design. There are ten temples in the complex dedicated to Gods and Goddesses such as Surya, Hanumana and Shiva.
6. Sri Sri Kalika Maharani Temple in Bokaro:
Sri Sri Kalika Maharani temple is a Hindu temple located at Bokaro built by Aashiyan Estate developers. It is dedicated to Devi Kali and the tiny township of KalikaVihar is named after this temple. The temple is a new structure completed in 2012 and is a two-storeyed structure with a tall stupa which is 90 feet tall, and 50 feet in breadth and the temple is over 160 feet long. The temple complex also has temples dedicated to Lord Hanuman and Sri Ram.
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7. Harihar Dham in Giridih:
Harihar Dham temple located in Giridih has the biggest Shiva linga in the world. It is the tallest Shiva linga in the world measuring 65 feet. The temple is surrounded by a river and spread over 25 acres. Shravan Poornima is a major festival celebrated here and lakhs of a pilgrimage visit the place during this time. Nag Panchami is also celebrated when a cobra is worshipped.
8. Jharkhand Dham at Dhanwarh:
Jharkhand Dham or popularly known as Jharkhandi is located at Dhanwarh in Giridih district. The whole structures of this place are roofless which is its unique feature. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and during the annual fair, the place remains crowded. Also, devotees of Shiva offer prayers here during Maha Shiva Ratri.
9. Dewri Temple in Ranchi:
Dewri Mandir is located just a little outside Ranchi and is dedicated to Solha Bhuji Goddess, a form of Maa Durga. The temple also has an idol of Lord Shiva and the complex is spread over 2 acres. It is believed that this temple is the only temple where 6 tribal priests, Pahan, perform rituals and offer prayers alongside the Brahmin priests.
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10. Sun Temple:
Sun temple in Ranchi is one of the most popular temples dedicated to the worship of Lord Surya. Located around 40 km from the city of Ranchi, this is one of the newest temples of Jharkhand. The temple has a big chariot with eighteen wheels and seven mighty horses. It is constructed by Sanskrit Vihar, a charitable trust. The best part of this temple is the life-like element in the chariot which looks like it is ready to take off.
11. Pahari Temple:
The Pahari mandir is located at an altitude of 2140 feet from sea level and is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. This small temple is located on a hill with a scenic panoramic view of the surroundings. The actual name of the temple is ‘Richi Buru’. This place also has historical importance, as it was the same location where many freedom fighters were hanged to death.
12. Naulakha Mandir:
This is one of the major tourist attractions in Jharkhand and is located in Deoghar. The temple resembles the famous Ramakrishna Belur Nath temple of Kolkata in terms of its architecture. This 146 feet tall temple has mesmerizing idols of Radha and Krishna and was built by the Queen of Pathuria Ghat. It is said that Queen Charushila often visited this temple to seek the blessings of Radha and Krishna.
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The state of Jharkhand, being relatively new, is not quite known to a lot of people. This state is not a very popular pilgrim destination but is slowly coming to light with a lot of tourists describing their amazing experiences on the internet. Jharkhand is home to some majestic temples and also many natural wonders. One can find temples of all forms, from ancient to newly built in this state. Next time when you are planning a visit to this beautiful state, it is recommended not to miss these above-mentioned temples in Jharkhand.
