Garhwa


Garhwa is a city and municipality in the Indian state of Jharkhand. It serves as the administrative headquarters of Garhwa district. Due to its proximity to the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Chhattisgarh, Garhwa functions as an important regional hub for transportation and trade. The nearby Garhwa Road railway junction connects the region to major Indian cities such as Delhi and Kolkata. The city also offers regular bus services to Ranchi, Ambikapur, Gaya, Varanasi, Patna, and other urban centers.

History

Garhwa was originally a subdivision of the former Palamu district. On 1 April 1991, it was separated along with eight administrative blocks to form the independent Garhwa district.
Geographically, the district lies in the southwest of Palamu division, between 23°60′–24°39′ N latitude and 83°22′–84°00′ E longitude. It is bounded by the Sone River in the north; Palamu district and Chhattisgarh in the south; Palamu in the east; and Surguja and Sonbhadra in the west.
Garhwa district consists of 20 administrative blocks:
Banshidhar Nagar, Bhawanathpur, Meral, Ramna, Bardiha, Bhandaria, Chinia, Ranka, Ramkanda, Dhurki, Bishunpura, Manjhiaon, Kandi, Kharaundhi, Danda, Dandai, Bargarh, Ketar, Sagma, and Garhwa Sadar.

Geography

Garhwa is located at and has an average elevation of 197 metres.
The city is served by two railway stations:
  • Garhwa Town – the primary local station;
  • Garhwa Road Junction – a major junction approximately 12–15 km from the city.

    Transport

Rail

Garhwa Road Junction provides long-distance connectivity to cities such as Ranchi, Delhi, Patna, Kolkata, Jabalpur, Lucknow, Kota and Gaya.

Road

Garhwa is connected via:
  • NH 39 – linking Garhwa with Uttar Pradesh and major cities in Jharkhand
  • NH 343 – linking Garhwa with Chhattisgarh
The Garhwa Interstate Bus Stand handles over 200 buses daily to Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and various other districts of Jharkhand.

Air

The nearest airport is Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi, located about 165 km away.

Helipad

The Birsa Munda Helipad Park near the district collectorate supports government and emergency helicopter services.

Demographics

As per the 2011 Census of India, Garhwa had a population of 46,059.
  • Males: 54%
  • Females: 46%
  • Literacy rate: 61%
  • Children under 6 years: 17%

    Languages

Languages spoken in Garhwa include:
  • Hindi and English – official languages
  • Magahi and Bhojpuri – widely spoken in rural regions
  • Sadri, Nagpuri and Kurukh – used by tribal communities

    Religion

  • Hinduism is the dominant religion.
  • Islam is practiced by a significant urban population.
  • Christianity and indigenous tribal faiths are present in smaller numbers.

    Urbanization

Garhwa district is largely rural, with Garhwa city serving as the main urban and administrative center. Agriculture remains the primary occupation for the majority of residents, although urban infrastructure in the city is steadily growing.

Tourism

Major attractions in and around Garhwa include:
  • Gadhdevi Temple – a prominent local pilgrimage site
  • Satbahini Waterfall – popular since the British period
  • Kali Temple – associated with strong local devotion
  • Ranka Raj Palace – filming location for Aaj Ka Robin Hood
  • Khonhar Mandir, Gijna – an ancient temple of Lord Shiva

    Anraj Dam

Located a few kilometers from Garhwa, the dam offers irrigation facilities and recreational boating services. It is being promoted as an eco-tourism destination.

Birsa Munda Helipad Park

Developed as both a helipad and a public park, it includes an open gym, walking tracks, gardens, and children's play areas.

Nilambar–Pitambar Park

A city park named after tribal freedom fighters Nilambar and Pitambar; used for walks, family visits, and civic events.

Football Stadium

A major venue for district tournaments, school competitions, and sports training.

Garhwa Town Hall

A central location for cultural events, public meetings, stage programs, and government gatherings.