Rajrappa
Rajrappa is a waterfall and a pilgrimage centre in the Chitarpur CD block in the Ramgarh subdivision of the Ramgarh district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.
GeographyEdit
LocationEdit
Rajrappa is located at Template:Coord.
Rajrappa stands at the confluence of the Damodar and Bhairavi (locally called Bhera) rivers.<ref name=india9>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Rajrappa is located off NH 23 connecting Ramgarh and Chas. It is Template:Convert from Ramgarh,<ref name=ramgarh>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Convert from Hazaribagh,<ref name=hazaribagh>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:Convert from Ranchi and Template:Convert from Bokaro Steel City.<ref name=india9/>
Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the district. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.
WaterfallsEdit
The Bhera or Bhairavi joins the Damodar, falling from a height of Template:Convert.<ref name=india9/><ref name=book_kishore>Template:Cite book</ref>
Geographical significanceEdit
Rajrappa Falls has tremendous geographical significance. The Damodar valley at Rajrappa is a typical example of polycyclic valley or topographic discordance which is characterized by two storey valley. The Damodar developed its broad and flat valley of senile stage before the onset of Tertiary upliftment. The river was rejuvenated due to upliftment of landmass during the Paleogene and Neogene Periods (66 million to 1.8 million years ago) by the side effects of the Himalayan orogeny and thus the Damodar excavated its new deep and narrow valley of youthful stage within its broad and flat valley of senile stage. The Bhera river coming from over the Ranchi plateau makes a waterfall while joining the Damodar and thus presents an example of a hanging valley. The Damodar gorge near Rajrappa is a typical example of incised meander.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Pilgrimage centreEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Rajrappa is a Hindu pilgrimage centre attracting an estimated 2,500-3,000 persons daily.<ref name=hazaribagh/> The main attraction of the Chhinnamasta (also known as Chinnamastika) temple located here is the headless deity of goddess Chinnamasta which stands on the body of Kamdev and Rati in the lotus bed. The Chhinnamasta temple is very popular for its Tantrik style of architectural design. The temple is very old but has that essence of enchantment.<ref name=maps>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Apart from the main temple, there are ten temples of various gods and goddesses such as the Sun God and Lord Shiva.<ref name=ramgarh/> Animal sacrifice is still practised in the temple. The sacrifice is offered on Tuesdays and Saturdays and during Kali puja.<ref name=telegraph>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Rajrappa also is a pilgrim centre for the Santals and other tribals who come for immersion of the ashes of their loved ones in the Damodar. They come mostly during the month of December, in groups known as yatri. As per their mythology it is their final resting place. In their folk songs Rajrappa is referred to as "Thel Kopi Ghat" (Water Ghat) and they use oil after bathing. They come in significant numbers from the southern parts of Jharkhand state such as East and West Singhbhum and Saraikela districts.
In popular culture Chinnamasta is featured in the detective story of Bengali novel Feluda series "Chhinnamastar Abhishap" by the renowned filmmaker Satyajit Ray.
Civic administrationEdit
Police stationEdit
Rajrappa police station serves Chitarpur CD block.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
EconomyEdit
Coal miningEdit
Template:OSM Location map Rajrappa Area of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited, is located in Ramgarh Coalfield. It is one of the biggest coal-fields in this region. It is widely known as the Rajrappa Project, which consist of the main quarry (a huge open cast mine), offices, colonies, recreation facilities, shopping complexes, a police out-post and public utility buildings. It is a complete township in itself.<ref name=telegraph/>
EducationEdit
- DAV Public School Rajrappa
- Shishu Vidya Mandir (SVM) Rajrappa
- Government School , Rajrappa
See alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
Template:Temple towns in Jharkhand Template:Hydrography of Jharkhand Template:Damodar Valley Template:Ramgarh District Template:North Chotanagpur Division topics