Kiriburu is a beautiful hill station, situated in the core of the lush green Saranda forest, in census town of the same name, in the Indian state of Jharkhknown this township is known for its iron ore mines at Kiriburu and Meghahatuburu, both supervised by the Steel Authority of India Limited (S. A. I. L.). The mines are separated from the dwelling areas in Kiriburu by the Odisha – Jharkhand border. The Saranda forest and its majestic Kiriburu hill station provide scenic views of hills and waterfalls, and a relaxing weekend in the lap of nature.
The name Kiriburu is derived from the tribal words 'Kiri', meaning elephants, and 'Buru', meaning hill enveloped by clouds. The Saranda forest is named similarly, with Saranda meaning elephants, due to the huge amount of wild elephants roaming its vast tracts. The forest is teeming with its elephant populace overlooked in a land of seven hundred hillocks.
(S. A. I. L. ) is responsible for the development of the township of Kiriburu, with the setting up of Kiriburu Iron Ore Mine (K. I. O. M.). Apart from this, the rich cultural and historical significance of the town can be studied by the remnants of temples and monuments once standing tall.
The hill station of Kiriburu is the perfect place in the eastern zone of India, which provides the scenic beauty of lush green forests and vegetation of hill stations like Shimla and Cherapunji, combined with good weather all year long. An average rainfall of approximately 2, 000 mm per year in Kiriburu has bestowed the lands with a spectacular ambiance. The land of seven hundred hills can be viewed with a panoptic gaze from the guesthouses located atop the hill station. The sunset which follows soon after, and can be watched 4, 300 feet above ground from Kiriburu, is the best part of touring the hill station in the afternoon. The hill station is encased in throes of hills on three sides.
Vivid biodiversity comes to play, with avifaunal species attracting bird watchers to the hill station. The immense floral diversity comprises of Sal, Teak, Mahul, Harida, Dhaura, Kumbhi, Moi, and various other trees, which provide habitat to the monkeys thriving on them. The melodious songbirds can be heard well into the cool nights when the hills are speckled with lights due to the routine mining.
Some of the other tourist attractions are located nearby, and thus Kiriburu proves to be a prime point of vantage for tourists exploring both nature and architecture. The Pundul falls is a waterfall located at a distance of 20 kilometers from Kiriburu, where the forest gets denser and the water gets clearer. In the heart of the dense forest, lies the Swapneswari Temple. This temple is dedicated to the worship of the Hindu Goddess Durga. A few kilometers away from the temple, is the cascading river of Karo, originating from the hills. The crystal clear river water and the songbirds chiming in the forests surrounding it, make it a secluded and peaceful destination away from the humdrum of urban life. These forests are frequently visited by the forest fauna composed of elephants, bears, deer, and bears. Further down the road lies a tribal settlement which is quite friendly with tourists looking for an insight into their culture.
The census township of Kiriburu is well connected to premier metropolitan cities via air, rail, and road network. The iron ore companies have been responsible for the upgradation of various road networks to allow easier commuting between towns like Jamshedpur and Ranchi. The railway transport is by no means limited, with the nearest railway station being the Barajamda station at a distance of 25 kilometers. Trains running from Howrah in West Bengal to Barbil in Odisha can be taken, and taxis can be hired to reach Kiriburu directly.
The Saranda rest house provides both dining and lodging facilities. The food in Kiriburu mainly follows the Jharkhandi cuisine, with a mix of Odia and Bengali dishes from the neighboring states. The menu ranges from vegetarian to non-vegetarian dishes, suitable, and catering to each palate. In the nearby localities, street food can be found at every roadside corner. Chains of commercial restaurants serving south Indian dosas and idlis for breakfast are not uncommon. One can have his / her fill for a day within a budget of only four hundred.
Visitors can find lodging facilities in rest houses facilitated by the Steel Authority of India Limited. Cottages, inns, and lodges can also be availed in the vicinity of the hill station. The booking for rest houses is recommended to be done in advance to avoid a last-minute rush. The tariff for the same is around 3 hundred to 7 hundred. The best time to visit Kiriburu Hill Station to view it at its scenic best in the winter season, from December to early summer in May. The budget for luxury tourists is around 2 thousand to 3 thousand, including lunching and dining, for a day stay to explore the hill station. The budget range for backpackers and budget travelers is around a thousand for a day.
The booking for the rest houses in Kiriburu hill station and Saranda forest can be done in advance at Ispat Bhavan, JL Nehru Road.
Contact number: 9430109755