Gumla district is one of the twenty-two districts of Jharkhand and Gumla town is the administrative headquarters of this district. Gumla district was formed on 18th May 1983 by carving out of certain areas of Ranchi district of the-then Bihar state. During British rule GUMLA was under LOHARDAGA district .In 1843 it was brought under BISHUNPUR province that was further named RANCHI .In fact Ranchi district came into existence in 1899. In 1902 Gumla became Sub-division under Ranchi disrict.

Gumla is considered to be the birth place of Hindu God Hanuman and a temple few kilometers away from the city off the Gumla-Ghaghra road is dedicated to him and his mother. The district contains mountains named Risyamook mountains mentioned in the Ramayana. Gumla district has rich natural and mineral resources.

For centuries, the place was a meeting center for people from the hinterland who flocked here to exchange goods using the barter system, and the place was called Gaw-Mela. Gumla is believed to derive its name from Gaw-Mela, which consists of two words of Hindi (also used in several local dialects), namely, Gaw (cows and the cattle) and Mela, that is, a fair. The place became known as Gaw-mela, and then the word transformed itself into Gumla.

Till 30th April 2001, Gumla district consisted on 2 sub-divisions viz Gumla and Simdega. But after the creation of Jharkhand State , a new district of Simdega was carved out of Gumla district on 30th April, 2001. Now, Gumla district consists of only one sub-division namely Gumla.

Total area of the district is about 5327 sq. km. umla district is dominated by tribal population .ORAON tribe is in majority .KHARIYA,KHERWAR,KORBA, ASUR ,GOND, CHIK BARAIK , LOHRA, MAHALI and MUNDA are some other tribes.

Places of Interest

TANGINATH: Tanginath is a place having several architectural works in its lap since the ancient era to the medieval era . It is famous as SHIVASTHALI and is famous for great TRISHOOL of rustproof iron. TANGINATH lies in Dumri block in Gumla district .It is at about 50kms away from Gumla headquarter and 8km from Dumri. It is a place of religious as well as historical importance .The history of NAGVANSHI kings of Chhotanagpur , RUXELVANSHI kings of Surguja ,and that of BARWE kingdom has been written here .It is spread in an area of about 10000 square meter .the stone images of lord VISHNU, SURYA, LUXMI, BHAWANI and countless number of other deities are lying in open .Hundreds of SHIWALINGAS are placed here and there .Some images are still unidentified .Some believe that they are lord BUDHA .The main temple of lord SHIVA ,The great TRISHOOL buried in the ground, The sun temple ,The SURYA KUND are of great attraction .A number of SHIVLINGAS that are lying here are supposed to be of lord BUDHA’S period.

THE GREAT TRISHOOL: It was 17 feet high projected from the ground and 32 cm thick .No one knows how deep it is buried .Once the king of Palkot tried to dig it out to measure its length but he could not get success. It is believed that during MAHABHARAT period arms were supplied from this region

DEVI-MANDIR: By the side of the main SHIV TEMPLE there is a DEVI MANDIR .It is about 14’ long and 11’ wide surrounded by mud wall .Idols of ASHTBHUJA DEVI, MAHISHASURMARDINI ,CHATURBHUJI DEVI ,DURGA and BHAGWATI are present together.

SURYA KUND: At the north of the great TRISHOOL there is SURYA KUND .It is 14’X14’ of size .It is built of bricks.

RAJADERA: Rajadera is a village in Chainpur Block about 26 km south of NETARHAT and 19 km from Chainpur headquarter. The landscape and the climate of this village is attractive .It appears as a saucer. It has great scenic value .It is surrounded by hills on all sides .It is as beautiful as any other famous hill stations in India. There is a DAK BUNGLOW of forest department and a CHURCH. Tourists visit here to see the scenic beauty of the origin of SHANKH RIVER and the famous SADANI WATERFALL of Gumla.SADANI waterfall is at about 3 km from Rajadera village . Water falls from a height of 2600 feet.This waterfall is the origin of SHANKH river.

MAHADEV KONA: MAHADEV KONA has ability to cultivate curiosity .The number of SHIV LINGAS is so many that a devotee has to reach the SHIVA STHALI riding on the same .It is situated at 2 km away from Gumla headquarter on Ranchi –Simdega via Khunti road and 95 km from Ranchi on TIRRA HILL in BASIA block.It is a small hamlet on the bank of South KOYAL river surrounded by many hills .It is told that there was a great temple of LORD SHIVA that was constructed before MAHABHARATA period .The ruins of the temple still persists .It was constructed of stone. It is also told that the Magadh Emperor belonged to ASUR who ruled over this region for long time and he was a great devotee of lord Shiva .

MAHAMAYA TEMPLE OF HAPAMUNI: HAPAMUNI ,a famous and ancient village , is situated in Ghaghara block at about 12 km from the block headquarter on Gumla – Lohardaga road .MAHAMAYA temple that is the identity of this village was constructed by GAJGHAT RAY ,22nd king of NAGA dynasty and the son of RAJA MOHAN RAY .He ruled between 869to 905AD . He handed over the caring of the temple to his GURU HARINATH ,a Rashtrakuta (Marathi) Brahmin .In 1391 AD RAJA SHIVDAS KARN established an image of Lord VISHNU .CHAITANYA MAHAPRABHU(1445-1535AD) had chosen this way during his visit to MATHURA from JAGANNATH PURI at about 1485 A.D.

DEVAKI: On the bank of river Ghaghra in GHAGHRA block DEVAKI is a place of religious importance. It is famous for a shiv-parvati temple .During SAWAN month devotees from every nook and corner visit here to offer water to the Shiva Linga and the place becomes a fair ground ..The ShivaLinga ages to medieval era and was dug out in 1967-68 .A temple was constructed over this ShivaLinga.

AANJAN: AANJAN is a small village about 18 km away from Gumla via Toto . The name of the village has been derived from the name of goddess ANJANI,mother of MAHAVEER HANUMAN .ANJANI GUFA is at 4 km from the village upon a hill .Here mother Anjani used to live .Many objects of archeological importance obtained from this place has been placed at PATNA MUSEUM .There is an idol of mother Anjani with Hanuman in her lap near Anjani Gufa (cave) .

PAMPAPUR: There is a description of PAMPAPUR located on RISHIMUKH PARVAT in RAMAYANA. Villagers believe that the ancient PAMPAPUR is today’s PALKOT. This fact is proven by a number of places of Ramayana era in its neighborhood such as ANJAN, where Lord HANUMAN born, RAMREKHA DHAM that is the place where Lord RAMA and SITA spent some times in their exile, UMRA where the hill is similar to KISKINDHA etc. PAMPASAR, a pond spread in about 1000 Sq.ft, is considered as a place of mother PUMPABHAWANI.

Malmalpur: The vast mountains and hills of PALKOT have kept hidden a number of mysteries in its caves, brooklets, ponds etc. Palkot is situated on N.H.-23 (Gumla-Simdega National Highway) at about 25 KM from Gumla district headquarter. The caves of MALMALPUR and SHITALPUR are extra ordinary, where one cannot enter without a blanket even in hot summer month (Jeth). Villagers believe that the cave of MALAYPUR, where SUGRIVA had taken shelter in fear of his brother VALI, is today’s MALMALPUR.

PANDULATA & GHORLATA: are other caves, where a natural temple of Lord HANUMAN is situated. SIYARKHOH is a cave that provides drinking water to the whole population of this locality. AAMOTONGRI, BAGHLATA, MARIALATA, MUNIKANDRA, cave of SEVARI, BENGPAT (worship by the kings of NAGA dynasty), BUDHAMAHADEV, and NAVRATNAMUNDA etc are some other visible spots described in RAMAYANA.

GOBARSILLI: GOBARSILLI, a rock settled on a pointed top about 200ft.high is situated in Palkot Block about 1km away from the block headquarter. Villagers say that one’s desire is fulfilled if he gets success in throwing a pebble (stone) across that rock .

RAKASTONGRI: RAKASTONGRI (that means the hill of demon) is a place in the bottom of PAMPAPUR Mountain. According to public sayings it is the place where BALI had killed the demon DUNDUBHI .The sign of blood and arrow are still present here. It is located at the bottom of the Pampapur Mountain.

BHIMTONGRI: BHIMTONGRI is also a rock near LALGARH. Villagers say that it has been named after BHEEM who had visited here along with his brothers and his mother during his exile. BHEEM had cursed the mountain and had declared it a restricted place for sexual intercourse after seeing his mother disturbed for coition.

Basudeokona: It is famous for religious stone idols (Ajanta caves stone idols) it is located in 3 km east from Raidih block headquarter

Taraloya: There is a charming waterfall. The local people call "Perwahatt". It is located 30 km south from Raidih block headquarter

Nagar: It is situated in Sisai block. It is 9 KM from Sisai block headquarter. There is a fort of Nagbansi kings. It is said that CHHOTANAGPUR name of this region is given on the name of the Nagwanshi King as he was selected by the people ( small son – CHHOTA, NAG - Vansh )

Nagfeni: It is situated in the middle of Gumla & Sisai block. It is famous for the jagarnath temple and there is a big rock in the shape of snake "Nag" . It has its own natural beauty which invites the people to visit this place for picnic & to enjoy the time with friends & family.

Aamtoli: It is famous for an old temple of lord Shiva. Which is situated at the bottom of hill side. It is 10 km from Kamdara headquarter at Sarita panchayat. People come here to worship lord shiva the whole year but during SHIVARATRI an extra ordinary fair is held here.

Banpur: It is situated at about 11 km from Kamdara in rerwa panchayat. There is a famous old temple of lord Shiva at the bottom of a hill. There is a pond by the side of this temple where pilgrims take bath and worship the lord Shiva.On the eve of SHIVARATRI a grand fair is held here.