Seraikela

State

Seraikela is the administrative headquarters of Saraikela Kharsawan District, located in the state of Jharkhand. Situated on the banks of River Kharkai, the destination is surrounded by hillocks, lush green forests and huge water streams.

Seraikela, formerly the capital of the Oriya Seraikela State, serves as an agricultural trade centre of the region and has rich deposits of copper, iron, asbestos and limestone. During the medieval period, Seraikela was ruled by Ganga Vanshi, Surya Vanshi and Gajapati rulers of Orissa and their influence can be seen in the architecture of the buildings. This tribal dominated city has various attractions like waterfalls, river basins, historic buildings and temples.

The Hirni Falls, surrounded by thick and dense forests, is the prime attraction of the destination. Nearby the falls lie limestone kohs or caves that offer shelter to animals like Indian tiger, bear and porcupine. The Palna Dam, Subarnarekha Dam, Kharkai River and Karakatta Dam are prominent water bodies of the destination.

The lake at Badri village and the Forest Dak Bungalow are surrounded by paddy and maize fields. Chandil is renowned for the first commercial sponge iron plant in India that is situated at Umesh Nagar. The Thakora Waterfalls and Jagannathpur temple along with villages like Kera and Jojohatu are located in the vicinity of the destination.

The Sri Ram Baba Ashram, Kali Sthan and Shahid Sthal are visited by several tourists. The Kotgarh, a historic village, was an integral part of many kingdoms during the medieval period. The prominent attraction of this village is the fortress constructed by Narpat Singh, the last king of the dynasty.

Chaibasa, situated nearby, has many water streams amongst which Koel, Sanjai, Karo-Koina, Kharkai and Baitarani are prominent. Archaeologists have found various sites in Chaibasa that date back to the Stone Age. The Chainpur, Adityapur, Kandra, Seraikela Palace and the Ma Paudi temple are other attractions of the region.

According to history, Seraikela in the past was a capital of the princely state named 'Oriya Saraikela State'. Later, after the independence of India, the destination was merged with the state of Bihar. In 1950, 39 villages of Chandil, Nimdih and Tamar area were added to the district on the basis of Territories Act.

After the state of Jharkhand was formed, this district was made a part of this state. Several developments took place along with setting up of industries in the district so as to enhance its economic growth.

Enriched with vibrant colours and rhythms of 'Chhau', the destination is famous among folk art lovers. Owing to its worldwide popularity, the destination has emerged as a 'Mecca' for gourmets of music and dance. Besides being popular round the world for its Chhau Dance, Seraikela is also known for its rich historical background of its sightseeing places. For this, the district has been announced as 'tourists' centre' by the government.

The main attraction of Seraikela is Sri Ram Baba Ashram, which attracts thousands of devotees round the year. Palna Dam, Subarnarekha Dam, Kali Sthan, Karakatta Dam and Shahid Sthal are some of the other popular attractions of the region.

The closest airport serving the destination is Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi, which is located at a distance of around 138 km from Seraikela. Those travelling by railways can board trains to Sini Junction Railway Station, which is located at a distance of 11.6 km.

In addition to flights and trains, tourists can also head towards the destination via buses, which are served by the Ambagan Bus Stand Asantalia, located at a distance of 20.8 km from Seraikela. The best time to visit Seraikela is during October to March, when the weather is pleasant.