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INTRODUCTION
Giridih is headquarters of the Giridih district of Jharkhand state, India. The literal meaning of Giridih is the land of hills & hillocks - giri, a Hindi word, means hills and dih, another word of the local dialect, indicates upland. Before 1972 Giridih was part of Hazaribagh district.
Giridih is a centre of the prestigious Indian Statistical Institute (ISI).[1] Giridih is also one of the six Data Processing Centres of Data Processing Division (DPD) of National Sample Survey Office (NSSO).
GEOGRAPHY
Giridih is located at 24.18°N 86.3°E.[2] It has an average elevation of 289 metres (948 feet).
The climate of Giridih is generally dry. It is pleasant during winter season between October and March. Summer season starting April, is generally hot, with May being hottest when temperature rises up to 47C. Many a times high temperature is accompanied by high humidity levels, specially during June when premonsoon rain falls. It rains maximum during July and August, and rainy season continues up to mid October.
CLIMATE
DEMOGRAPHY
As of 2001 India census,[3] Giridih had a population of 98,569. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Giridih has an average literacy rate of 69%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; male literacy is 74%, and female literacy is 63%. In Giridih, 15% of the population is under 6 years of age.
CULTURE
PLACES TO SEE
Giridih has several religious and scenic tourist spots, including the following:
Sri Sammeta Shikharji, also known as the Parasnath Hills, with the highest mountain peak in Jharkhand, 4480 feet above the sea level, is a major Jain pilgrimage destination and one of the most sacred places for Jains in the world. According to Jain belief, twenty of the twenty-four Tirthankaras (teachers of the Jains), (including Parshvanath) attained Moksha (Nirvana) from this place.
Usri Falls: 13 km from town, on the Tundi road, it is one of the most famous picnic spots in Giridih. The Usri river falls a 40 feet steep gorge in three separate streams. The place is surrounded by dense forest of Parasnath Hills.
Khandoli Dam: 10 km from town towards Bengabad, this is a scenic dam, with a beautiful garden and theme park adjoining it. It is a famous spot for adventure water sports and day outing for the people of Giridih and around.
Langta Baba Samadhi Sthal: This is located in Kharagdiha, about 30 km North West of the town on road towards Jamua. Langta Baba is revered both by the Hindus and the Muslims alike. People offer chadar to his samadhi as a ritual, and it is believed the wish made here by a true devotee always get fulfilled.
Surya Mandir: Close to Kharagdiha, in Mirjaganj, is a famous lotus shaped Sun Temple constructed in the middle of a lake.
Balkhanjo pahad or bodo pahad or Christian hills, a famous picnic spot near aerodrome.
Dukiya Mahadev Temple in Udnabad, some 5 k.m from Giridih headquarter, possesses great religious importance. It is situated on the bank of Usri river.
Kenarinath Dham Mandir, 32 km from Giridih, is a temple famous for its devine virtues.
Jharkhand Dham, also known as Jharkhandi, is a temple of Lord Shiva. It is situated approximately 55 km from Giridih and 10 km from Rajdhanwar.
Sona Pahadi in the nearby Beko village, is a temple of lord Hanuman. Its distance is approx. 12 km from Parasnath Railway Station.
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