1. Khandoli

The Khandoli hill has a peculiar shape of a saddle and is made up of Granitoid gneiss. The peak of khandoli hill appears similar to a volcanic cone and has a great saddle consisting of massive boulders attached to it. Recently the urban development department has made plans to desilt the Khandoli lake after decades.

Wildlife

Great cormorant

Every year thousands of migratory birds arrive at Khandoli lake by travelling thousands of kilometres from northern Asia, Himalayan belt, Africa and Australia.Great cormorant, Siberian duck, Siberian crane, brahminy shelduck (ruddy shelduck), bar-headed goose, mallard and several other species migrate to the dam for breeding. The migration of birds generally begins from the second week of November every year for a warmer climate and return around March. As many as forty different species of birds come to Khandoli but their number has reduced over the years mainly due to pollution and poaching.^[7] Some animals such as rabbit, guinea pig, peacock, owls etc. are also kept in cages in the amusement park.

Tourism

Khandoli has been developed as a tourism attraction by district tourism department.^{[citation needed]} The number of tourists increase in the winter months for bird-watching due to the presence of migratory birds in the area. An amusement park spread over 6 acres (2.4 ha) is built near the lake which offers joy rides in toy train and swings. Elephant and camel safaris and numbers of other amusement facilities are available. A canteen is available for convenience of the tourists. A watch tower and 600 feet high hillock offers a panoramic view of Khandoli site.

Adventure sports

Kayaking

Khandoli is a popular spot for aerial, mountaineering and water related adventure sports owing to the physical and the relief features of the area.Aerial adventure activities include hot air ballooning, paragliding and parasailing from both land and water. Khandoli Hill with its vast range of granite rocks with various shapes, offer varied challenges to rock climbers in rock climbing, rappelling, river Crossing (zip-line), trekking. The reservoir of Khandoli dam (Khandoli lake) is used by pedal boats, speed boats and water scooters for water related adventure activities such as scuba diving, rafting, canoeing, sailing, kayaking, ringo ride, waterskiing and surfing. Khandoli is also used to impart training in water sports at national level. The Jharkhand Adventure Tourism Institute (JATI) is the nodal state level body which imparts training in and promote water and aero sports.

These adventure sports attract tourists from across country. Large number of tourists from Mumbai, Kolkata, Burdwan, Orissa and Bihar arrive to engage in water sports. The Khandoli area has been leased by the administration for further development for tourism.

Khandoli Google Map Direction

Khandoli Location

Khandoli dam is a dam located 10 km North-East of Giridih town towards Bengabad in Jharkhand, India. Khandoli is also a village at the foot of the Khandoli hill. The reservoir of the Khandoli dam provides water supply to more than one lakh residents of the Giridih town. It is an important tourist spot in the state of Jharkhand.

How to Reach:

By Air

Instead of Giridih you can a get flight to Ranchi Airport on regular basis. Giridih 119 km away Ranchi Airport (IXR), Ranchi, Jharkhand Giridih 154 km away Gaya Airport (GAY), Gaya, Bihar

By Train

There are regular trains from other major cities of the country to Giridih. Railway Station(s): Giridih (GRD), Maheshmunda (MMD), Telo (TELO)

By Road

Giridih 35 km away Dhanbad, Jharkhand Giridih 43 km away Bokaro Steel City, Jharkhand

2. Parasnath

Parasnath Hills are a range of hills located in Giridih district of Jharkhand. The highest peak is 1350 metres. It is one of the most important pilgrimage centre for Jains. They call it Sammed Sikhar. The hill is named after Parasnath, the 23rd Tirthankara. Twenty of the twenty-four Jain Tirthankaras attained salvation on this hill. According to some, nine Tirthakaras attained salvation on this hill. For each of them there is a shrine (gumti or tuk) on the hill. Some of the temples on the hill are believed to be more than 2,000 years old. However, although the place is habited from ancient times, the temples may be of more recent origin. The Santhals call it Marang Buru, the hill of the deity. They celebrate a hunting festival on the full moon day in Baisakh (mid April).

Jain Heritage

This is one of the most holy and revered sites for the Jain community. They call it Sammed Sikhar. It is a major pilgrimage site. Out of 24 Thirthankaras of Jains, 20 got nirvana on Parshvnatha Hills.

On the mountain, there are the Shikharji Jain temples, an important tirthakshetra or Jain pilgrimage site.. For each Tirthankara there is a shrine (gumti or Tonk) on the hill.

Some of the temples on the hill are believed to be more than 2,000 years old. However, although the place is habited from ancient times, the temples may be of more recent origin.

It is of cultural importance for the Santhals too. The call it Marang Buru, the hill of the deity. They celebrate a hunting festival on the full moon day in Vaisakh (mid-April)

Parashnath Google Map Direction

Elevation: 1,370 m

Location: Giridih, Jharkhand, India

Parent range: Parasnath Range

Easiest route: Hike