My strolling shoes were getting restless to travel to such a place that is still less-travelled. A place where not many people have gone and is waiting to get explored. In my expedition to see the whole of India, I decided to travel to 2 new states of India—Jharkhand, and Telangana. Cautioned by many, I still flew to these ‘non-touristy’ states so that I can see and experience something that not the majority of people have.
Whether it was roaming around the streets of the ‘City of Waterfalls’ or trying street food at the ‘World Capital of Biryani’, each and every moment spent there was an adventure in itself. I didn’t see even one solo female traveller anywhere in these two states. In fact, not even a male solo traveller for that matter. That was a constant reminder for me of how lucky I am to be a free soul!
Without further ado, let me take you on the enthralling journey that I took on a budget (like always). I spent less than ₹30K on this trip that included roundtrip flights, hotels, food, entry tickets, shopping, conveyance, and other miscellaneous expenses.
Top 6 Things I Explored In Jharkhand
1. Take a dip at Hundru Waterfall
For nature enthusiasts like me, a casual outing to Hundru Falls accounts for a day filled with sunbathing, soaking feet in the water, and snacking on the way back. Created on the course of the Subarnarekha River, the waterfall falls from a height of 320 feet. The constantly falling of water has caused erosion and you can see different formations of rocks. You are going to love the panoramic view of the Chota Nagpur Plateau. After knowing all this, I am sure you would not mind climbing past the 745 steps that lead to this stunning waterfall.
2. Discover Rabindranath Tagore’s literary sanctuary at Tagore Hill (also known as Morabadi Hill)
The place where Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore wrote many of his literary works, Tagore Hill is among my favorite spots in Ranchi. You will love this place if you are like me, who is always seeking alone time in a peaceful setting. Climb up the stairs to reach the top and enjoy the city’s view. Let the cool breeze brush your hair in the middle of absolute greenery! While you are there, don’t miss out on catching the most beautiful sunset.
3. Trot past the eclectic Rock Garden
One of the most popular places to see in Jharkhand, Rock Garden in the capital city was built out of the rocks of Gonda Hill. There are varied forms of waterfalls and sculptures but an iron bridge caught my attention the most. It’s a small bridge having wooden planks as the base and it shakes a little when you walk on it. You can visit this garden if you want to experience the gentle touch of nature.
4. Enjoy the immensity of Kanke Dam
While standing in the Rock Garden, you can look at the Kanke Dam as it is located right there. It is overlooked by Gonda hillocks and the giant dark boulders will instantly catch your eye. There is an arched staircase leading down to the waters of the lake and it offers a gorgeous panoramic view of sunrise and sunset.
Also read: This 170-Year-Old Jharkhand Temple Is Believed To Fulfil Wishes Of Couples Wanting Daughters
5. Catch cold breeze at Ranchi Lake
Lying at the foothills of the verdant Ranchi Hill, Ranchi Lake is an artificial lake. You can enjoy boating here and explore the natural beauty of its surroundings. The monsoon season is surely the best time to visit there as, during that time, the lake looks even more pristine.
6. Unwind at The Ruin House
I had such a great time at this place after a long tiring day of wandering. The ambiance is exemplary depicting the perfect blend of the old and the modern. Every corner here is capable of giving you Instagram-perfect pictures. The property is quite huge with all the seating on the ground floor, first floor, and a lovely bridge leading to a secluded elevated gazebo for the perfect date night.
Also read: Jharkhand Grandfather Built Concrete Replica Of Airplane For His Grandkids
Top 4 Things I Explored In Telangana
1. Witness history at Charminar
It was quite obvious for me to visit this popular monument in the capital city of Telangana. Standing in the heart of Hyderabad’s main bazaar area, you can climb to the first floor of Charminar to get a bird’s eye view of the whole place. The monument is really beautiful with the majestic Indo-Islamic architecture combined with few Persian elements.
A visit to Charminar is incomplete without exploring the nearby area, which is a labyrinth of lanes dotted with shops, restaurants, markets, and shoppers. Laad Bazaar or Choodi Bazaar is the highlight here. Also, don’t forget to try Osmania biscuits and Irani chai at Nimrah Cafe & Bakery. The biscuits are amazingly soft and they just melt inside in your mouth! You have to try it when in Hyderabad.
2. Experience royalty at Chowmahalla Palace
Visiting palaces always makes me wonder about the excessively rich and glorious past of India. Chowmahalla Palace is so enormous that I got tired after an hour of exploring it. And then I thought that it would have been such a huge task for the members of the royal family to go from one part of the palace to another!
Located at a walking distance from Charminar, Chowmahalla Palace is the epitome of legendary architecture and magnificence in the city of Nizams. The ceilings, walls, crockery, furniture, cars, gardens, clock tower—everything gives a glimpse of immense wealth. The Nizams did live in an enigmatic way and walking down the stunning corridors made me want to spend at least one day here like “the majesty of the royal household”!
Also read: Order Authentic Claypot Biryani From This Dark Kitchen In Hyderabad Prepared Fresh On Order
3. Spend a relaxed evening at Hussain Sagar
This heart-shaped lake in Telangana is one of the largest artificial lakes in Asia. 16-meter high and almost 350 tons heavy, you can see a gigantic statue of standing Lord Buddha made up of white marble in the middle of the lake. You can go boating in a speed boat or motorboat here. There is also a food court and a few waterside restaurants from where you can enjoy the lovely view of the lake. I would recommend having a meal or a couple of drinks at By The Bay. The view from there is soothing.
Also read: This Hyderabad Restaurant Serves Food In Tiny Miniature Trains That Run Through Tracks
4. Explore the colossal Golconda Fort
This fort in the City of Pearls made me realise my immense love for capturing arches in my camera. It contains ruins of palaces, mosques, and a hilltop pavilion. There is a lot to see at Golconda Fort and again, it can be a little exhausting. So don’t forget to carry water with you. It took me nearly 3 hours to see the whole place that included clicking photographs, reading details, and resting in between as well. A testimony to Hyderabad’s glorious past, the fortress rests on a granite hill and huge crenellated ramparts surround it.
One thing that amused me a lot was the fantastic acoustical effect at Fateh Darwaza. If you clap your hands at a specific point near the entrance of the dome, then it reverberates and one can clearly hear it at the hilltop pavilion, which is almost one kilometer away. In the past, this worked as a warning note to the inhabitants of any approaching danger. Such an incredible engineering marvel!
Apart from doing these things, you should try golgappas in both states. I love how in Ranchi, these are served on a folded green leaf. I am a huge fan of street food and I don’t miss any chance to try such scrumptious food wherever I am. And you should not too!