History, Importance, Timings, Festivals, Architecture, Activities, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Pahari Mandir, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
The Pahari Mandir is a Hindu temple situated at the summit of the hill of Ranchi (Jharkhand). The temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. The temple is built at 2140 feet in height, above sea level. It takes almost 468 stairs from the foothill to reach the temple. The temple presents a striking view of the city of Ranchi. There is no statute of the deity in the temple. He is worshipped in the form of the Shiva Linga. The temple compound is surrounded by a range of flowering trees, which creates serenity and peace around. The Ranchi Lake at the hillock is believed to be a sacred water body. People take a bath in the lake to clean themselves before climbing up the temple.
History of Pahari Mandir, Ranchi
Colonel Onsley, a British citizen built the temple in 1842. It has historical importance in the chapter of Indian independence.
The history behind the temple is very appealing. The Pahari Mandir was in the control of the British when they were ruling in India. The British used to hang lynch the freedom fighters in this place. After the Independence of the country, people use to hoist the national flag here, along with the spiritual flags on 15th August (Independence Day) and 26th January (Republic Day) every year. The temple is the first religious place in India, where the national flag is hoisted.
The temple was called “Hanging Garry” at the time of British rule, as they preferred to hang the revolutionists here. After Independence, Krishna Chandra Das, a freedom fighter of Ranchi first hoisted the national flag here. A stone is present in the temple with the message of the independence of the country. It was written on 14th August at midnight.
Architecture Pahari Mandir, Ranchi
The architecture of the temple is omnipresent. The architectural taste is remindful of its equivalent part at Puri. The temple compound has a decorated hall. Every year many marriage ceremonies are completed in the hall.Festival celebrated at Pahari Mandir, Ranchi
The main festival celebrated here is the Shiv Ratri. Thousands of devotees come here to visit the deity during this time. People offer milk, fruits, flowers, bael leaves, ghee, and many other things as worship. Devotees keep fast for the day until they pour water, milk, ghee, or other offerings to the deity. The temple authority organizes some special arrangements to control the crowd. People from nearby places of Ranchi come here to worship on this auspicious day. People believe that the temple has the supremacy to fulfill their wishes. The festival is usually celebrated on the 14th day of the Maagha month of the Hindu/ Bengali calendar.
Shravan Mela is another festival celebrated in July. Devotees climb up the temple stairs barefoot, carrying water pots on their shoulders. They start their day with the morning bath in the sacred lake and fill their vessels with the holy water before commencing the journey. The temple authority takes good care of the pilgrims so that they do not have to face any trouble.
Independence Day and Republic Day are also celebrated with great enthusiasm to tribute to the freedom fighters.
Pahari Mandir, Ranchi Daily Darshan time
The temple remains open from 4.30 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 6 pm. People can visit during this time.
Temple doors remain closed from 1 pm to 2 pm.
The morning worship starts at 4.30 am.
5 types of Aarti are done regularly. The timings are a little different on Mondays.
Best time to visit - Pahari Mandir, Ranchi
Many people gather to celebrate Shiv Ratri with the belief that the deity will fulfill their wishes. Though, a large crowd is noticed at the time of Shravan Mela as well.
Contact details of Pahari Mandir, Ranchi
For more details, people can contact the temple authority at this number – 082529 49988 before visiting there.
The temple is very famous for its historical background. People from different parts of Jharkhand, as well as neighboring states, come to visit the temple every year. It is a well-known Hindu pilgrimage of Ranchi.
How to Reach Pahari Mandir, Ranchi, Capital of Jharkhand, India
Ranchi railway station is the closest option if anyone is traveling by train. Besides, buses are also available from different cities in Jharkhand. As the temple is not so far from the main city, people can reach there with the help of an auto-rickshaw as well. Ranchi being Capital of Jharkhand along with important district and city of state, it is very well connected with all major cities of India via road, rail and air network. Thousands of visitors across the India visits here throughout the year which makes Ranchi more convenient in terms of travel, accommodation and other services. Ranchi has major airport which is very well connect with all major cities of India. Ranchi has major railway station which is connected to main cities of India. Also Ranchi is well connect with other cities via state and national highway. Ranchi is located at 190 km from Giridih, 125 km from Jamshedpur, 252 km from Deoghar, 234 km from Gaya, 33 km from Khunti, 282 km from Basukinath, 79 km from Rajrappa.