Culture & Heritage

Ranchi has been influenced by Buddhism, Jainism, the Mughals and Hindu kings. Tribal groups during the Sarhul festival gather in Ranchi and organise a procession. Traditional folk music, instruments and dances are the norm. The area is known for the Dokra art form while festivals such as Basant Panchami, Holi, Diwali, Chath, Jityya Bhaiya are celebrated here. Some of the popular dance forms are Chhau and Santhal, which are group dances performed by the Santhal tribe. Karma is another popular folk dance performed in the month of August during the Karma festival. The popular cuisines include local varieties such as Arsa, Dhuska, Chhilka, Chhilka, besides others. Due to its thick foliage local people have made use of bamboo and wood to create craftworks like baskets, hunting and fishing equipment, rice huskers etc all Wild grass called ‘sabai grass’ is dyed and woven into bowls, pen-stands, coasters, mats, colourful boxes, dolls, etc. ‘Pattal’ or plates are fashioned from sal leaves in addition, a variety of handiworks bearing tribal motifs like wood inlay boxes, combs, carved door panels, bowl shaped umbrellas, tribal theme toys and carvings, plus ancient ‘bird-woman’ figurines are available in the local bazaars. Ranchi has been climbing up the progressive curve in terms of infrastructure and industrial growth marked by many shopping malls, fast food joints and multiplexes with Mitra and Navin markets noted for good bargains.