Happy TravellerWelcome to Chakradharpur, a city located in the West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, India. Known as the railway divisional headquarters of Chakradharpur (CKP) division of the South Eastern Railway, this city is often overlooked in favor of its more famous neighbors. However, Chakradharpur boasts a rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and mouthwatering local cuisine that make it a hidden gem worth exploring. Join us as we uncover the many treasures of Chakradharpur and reveal why this enchanting destination should be on every traveler’s bucket list.
Chakradharpur stands at an elevation of 227 metres (745 feet) and has an urban area of 10 square kilometres bounded on the east by Jamshedpur (Tatanagar), on the west by Rourkela (Odisha), on the north by Ranchi (state capital of Jharkhand) and on the south by Chaibasa (district town of West Singhbhum district). Chakradharpur is close to boundaries of two neighbouring states, Odisha and West Bengal.
One of the main attractions of Chakradharpur is its stunning geography. The city is covered by mountains on most sides, and the river Sanjay runs in the south-eastern periphery. Chakradharpur is believed to have been a quasi-hill station in the mid-1900s. The verdant forest of Saranda including the two Saranda tunnels on the main line between Mahadevsal and Posoita stations is a must-visit for nature lovers.
Chakradharpur is also home to a diverse population. As of 2011 Indian Census, Chakradharpur nagar parishad had a total population of 56,531, of which 28,932 were males and 27,599 were females. Hindi is the official language of the town and also the language of the majority of the people. It is followed by Odia, Bengali, Ho, Santhali, Mundari, Bhojpuri and Urdu, which are also additional official languages.
The city can be divided into three residential sections: Village panchayat, Nagar Parishad area, and Railway Colony. The Nagar Parishad area is divided into 23 wards, starting with the Purani Basti, the oldest area of Chakradharpur city, the Kings Castle is present here. The kings of the Singh Dynasty resided here during the British era. This area witnessed the wars with the Britishers. The city’s oldest Durga Puja, said to be started by the king himself, is celebrated here. Its known as the Adi Durga Puja Samity and was established in 1912. The Railway Colony comprises three wards. It covers the major part of Chakradharpur, located on the northeastern side of the NH-75E. The colony was established during the British era, and is a well planned city. All the railway establishments are present here. There are about 8,000 staff quarters. The colony is further divided into different colonies such as the East Colony, R.E. Colony, Drivers Colony, Doubling Colony, Loco Colony, Accounts Colony, and Etwari Bazar.
Chakradharpur is well connected by both road and rail. Ranchi, Chaibasa, Tatanagar and Rourkela and all neighbouring towns and villages are connected with roads. Chakradharpur is one of the four divisional headquarters of the South Eastern Railway. The first rail line on Chakradharpur Division was opened on 22 January 1890 with the laying of the 72.25 miles (116.28 km) long Purulia-Chakradharpur rail line. The rail network on the main trunk route passing through Chakradharpur division was completed on 18 February 1891 when the Goilkera-Jharsuguda section was opened. With the opening of this section the main line route of Bengal Nagpur Railway (BNR) was completed. The official opening ceremony of the main line from Asansol to Nagpur, presided over by the Viceroy of India, Lord Lansdowne, was held at Chakradharpur station on 3 March 1891. It is located on the Tatanagar–Bilaspur section of the Howrah-Nagpur-Mumbai line. Chakradharpur division serves the mineral and industrially rich areas of Jharkhand and Odisha. It is spread over East and West Singhbhum, Saraikela-Kharsawan, Simdega of Jharkhand and Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Sundargarh and Mayurbhanj districts of Odisha. In this division lies the main corridor of freight and passenger traffic between eastern and western parts of the country. This region is aptly called the Heart of the South Eastern Railway.
In conclusion, Chakradharpur is a hidden gem that is waiting to be explored. From its stunning geography to its diverse population, this city has something for everyone. Whether you’re a nature lover, a history buff, or a foodie, Chakradharpur is sure to delight. So why not add this enchanting destination to your bucket list today?
