Jonha Falls

Jonha Falls, also known as Gautamdhara, drops about 43 metres on the Raru River in Ranchi district, its alternate name tracing back to a local belief that Gautam Buddha meditated at the site. A small shrine near the base of the falls reflects this Buddhist association, distinguishing Jonha from the more purely scenic waterfalls elsewhere in the district.

Reaching the base involves descending a long staircase of several hundred steps cut into the hillside, with the climb back up serving as a reminder of just how deep the gorge runs; a ropeway has also been developed at the site to make the descent more accessible. Combined with its Buddhist legend and forested setting, Jonha offers a slightly different character from the purely scenic stops nearby, appealing to visitors interested in the area's spiritual associations as well as its natural beauty.

The name Gautamdhara reflects a long-standing local tradition connecting the site to a period of meditation by the Buddha, layering a spiritual narrative onto what is otherwise one of the region's many natural waterfalls.

About 40km from Ranchi via NH-33 on the road toward Purulia.