Navratangarh, in Sisai block of Gumla district, Jharkhand, is the ruined 17th-century capital of the Nagvanshi dynasty of the Chotanagpur plateau. Also recorded as Doisagarh (or Doyasagarh), it is a centrally protected monument where a sunken royal palace, two Jagannath temples, maths (monastic shrines) and rock-cut sculptures survive in and around the village of Nagar. This guide covers what remains, how to reach it, the best season and the practical details, drawn from official sources.
Navratangarh is a ruined Nagvanshi-era fort and temple complex in Gumla district, Jharkhand, about 75 km west of Ranchi. Most official accounts credit King Durjan Shah with building it between 1636 and 1639. The Archaeological Survey of India protects the site, which Jharkhand Tourism lists among the state’s heritage monuments.
Key takeaways
- Navratangarh (also called Doisagarh) sits in Sisai block, Gumla district, Jharkhand, roughly 75 km west of Ranchi and about 15 km from Sisai, per the ASI Ranchi Circle.
- Jharkhand Tourism dates the fort to 1636–1639, built by the Nagvanshi king Durjan Sal; it was later abandoned for Palkot.
- The ASI-protected area covers about ten monumental remains, including the royal palace, two Jagannath temples, Kamal Sahi Palace, maths and a rock-cut Shivalinga.
- Nearest airport and major railhead are both at Ranchi (Birsa Munda Airport, IXR, and Ranchi Junction, RNC); the last stretch is by road via Bharno and Sisai.
- Best time to visit is the cool, dry window from October to February; no ASI entry fee or fixed timings are published for this site, so plan a daytime visit.
- This is the Nagvanshi (serpent-lineage) dynasty of Chotanagpur, unrelated to the Naga people of Nagaland.
About Navratangarh and quick facts
Navratangarh is a ruined fort, palace and temple complex of the Nagvanshi dynasty, located in the village of Nagar, Sisai block, Gumla district, Jharkhand. The ASI Ranchi Circle describes it as a centrally protected monument covering the palace and temple remains. It is listed by the Archaeological Survey of India as a Monument of National Importance (reference N-JH-12).
Give the full name on first mention to avoid confusion: this is the Nagvanshi (serpent-lineage) seat on the Chotanagpur plateau, not connected to the Naga people of Nagaland, and distinct from Palkot, the later Nagvanshi capital nearby. The alternate name Doisagarh comes from its location near Doisa.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Nagar village, Sisai block, Gumla district, Jharkhand |
| Also known as | Doisagarh / Doyasagarh; Navratnagarh |
| Built | 1636–1639, by King Durjan Sal (per Jharkhand Tourism) |
| Protection | Centrally protected monument, ASI ref N-JH-12 |
| Distance from Ranchi | About 75 km west (ASI Ranchi Circle) |
| Coordinates | About 23.110° N, 84.784° E |
History: the Nagvanshi capital
Navratangarh served as one of the capitals of the Nagvanshi dynasty, which ruled large parts of the Chotanagpur plateau. Jharkhand Tourism states the fort was constructed by King Durjan Sal between 1636 and 1639, a dating also given by the Gumla district administration and by Wikipedia’s ASI entry.
Sources differ on the finer points. The ASI Ranchi Circle page records two local traditions: one crediting the 45th Raja, Durjan Sal, and another crediting the 49th king, Raghunath Sah, with early-18th-century work, citing temple inscriptions. According to the ASI page, inscriptions in the Jagannath temple record its construction by the royal preceptor Harinath in samvat 1739 (1683 AD). A 2024 press report instead stated a fort was built here in 1571, but gave no source, so that date should be treated with caution.
The reason the capital was abandoned is also told two ways. Wikipedia’s account says a later ruler, Yadunath Shah, shifted the capital to Palkot after a Mughal invasion; the ASI page relates a tradition that a Brahmin declared the site unlucky and the court moved on. Both agree the capital eventually moved to Palkot.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Navratangarh is October to February, when the Chotanagpur plateau is cool and dry and the open ruins are comfortable to walk. Summer (April–June) is hot, and the monsoon (roughly June–September) brings heavy rain that makes the unpaved approach and the sunken palace slippery.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Oct–Feb | Cool, dry days; best for sightseeing and photography |
| Summer | Mar–Jun | Hot afternoons; start early, carry water and sun cover |
| Monsoon | Jul–Sep | Heavy rain; muddy approach, green but slippery |
If you want to see the Kapilnath temple active with worshippers, local accounts note the shrine draws crowds at Shivratri, which falls in late winter.
How to reach Navratangarh
Reach Navratangarh via Ranchi, the nearest city with an airport and a major railway station, then drive the last stretch by road. There is no direct rail or air link to the village of Nagar itself.
- By air: The nearest airport is Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi (IXR), connected to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and other metros.
- By rail: The nearest major railhead is Ranchi Junction (RNC).
- By road: From Ranchi, drive towards Gumla via Bharno and Sisai, then on to Nagar village. A hired car or taxi is the most practical option for the final leg.
| From | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ranchi | About 75 km | Nearest airport and major railway (ASI Ranchi Circle) |
| Sisai (tehsil HQ) | About 15 km | Nearest town (ASI Ranchi Circle) |
| Gumla town | About 30–45 km | District headquarters; sources give a range |
What to see at the complex
The ASI-protected area at Navratangarh takes in roughly ten monumental remains spread across the site, so allow two to three hours on foot. The centrepiece is the royal palace, a multi-storeyed structure now partly sunken into the ground; the Gumla district site describes it as a five-storey palace with nine rooms on a floor, of which only the lower levels remain visible.
The popular “nine-storey” description that is sometimes attached to the name is presented in reports as tradition rather than confirmed fact. Press accounts note that only about three storeys survive today, and that the full original height is unresolved.
| Feature | What it is |
|---|---|
| Royal Palace | The main multi-storeyed palace, now partly below ground |
| Kamal Sahi Palace | A second palace structure within the complex |
| Jagannath Temple No. 1 and No. 2 | Two temples; inscriptions date work to the 1680s |
| Rani Lukai | A structure associated with the queen’s quarters |
| Yogi Math and Lohuthopa Math | Monastic shrines (maths) at the site |
| Rock-cut Shivalinga with Yonipitha | A Shiva emblem carved into the rock |
| Monolithic Ganesha sculptures | Rock-cut images of Ganesha |
| Pond | A water body within the protected area |
Recent archaeology has added to the picture. A press report from January 2024 said ASI excavations, carried out around 2023, had revealed a subterranean (underground) palace structure and a tunnel-like passage, with the structure estimated at 500 to 600 years old; associated artefacts were under study. Treatments of a “hidden treasure” and the tunnel’s exact purpose were described in that report as speculation.
The Shiva shrine most often named near the fort is the Kapilnath temple, which Wikipedia’s entry records as built in 1643 by King Ram Shah and still in worship. For wider context on the state’s forts, temples and tribal heritage, see our Jharkhand travel guide.
Suggested itinerary
Navratangarh works best as a half-day trip from Ranchi or an add-on to a Gumla circuit, since the village has no tourist infrastructure of its own.
- Half-day from Ranchi: Leave early by car, drive via Bharno and Sisai to Nagar (allow two to three hours each way with stops), spend two to three hours at the complex, and return to Ranchi for the night.
- Full day with Gumla: Combine Navratangarh with the town of Gumla and a nearby temple or waterfall, basing yourself in Gumla or Ranchi.
- Heritage pairing: History-minded travellers can pair Navratangarh with Palkot, the later Nagvanshi capital, to trace the dynasty’s move.
Where to stay
Stay in Ranchi or Gumla town, as Nagar village has no hotels. Ranchi has the widest choice, from budget lodges to mid-range and a few upper-tier business hotels; Gumla town offers simpler budget and mid-range options closer to the site.
| Category | Typical nightly band | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹800–₹1,800 | Lodges in Gumla town and Ranchi |
| Mid-range | ₹2,000–₹4,500 | Ranchi; some in Gumla |
| Upper/business | ₹5,000 and up | Ranchi |
These are indicative bands, not quotes; book ahead during winter weekends and around festivals, when Ranchi fills up. There is no recognised government tourist bungalow or homestay at the monument itself that official sources list, so plan your base in town.
Food to try
Eat in Ranchi or Gumla, where you will find Jharkhandi and north-Indian meals; carry your own water and snacks for the site visit. Local dishes worth trying include:
- Dhuska (a deep-fried rice-and-lentil batter snack, usually served with chutney or curry).
- Litti (wheat-flour balls stuffed with roasted gram flour, eaten with mashed vegetables).
- Rugra and putu (wild forest mushrooms, a seasonal local delicacy).
- Pittha (steamed or fried rice-flour dumplings with sweet or savoury filling).
Vegetarian food is easy to find; options at the village are minimal, so treat the fort as a no-facilities stop.
Budget breakdown
A no-frills day trip to Navratangarh from Ranchi is inexpensive, since there is no published entry fee and the main cost is the car. The table below is a planning estimate for two people on a one-day visit.
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Car hire for the day (round trip) | ₹2,500–₹4,000 |
| Meals for two | ₹400–₹900 |
| Monument entry | No fee published |
| Water, snacks, incidentals | ₹200–₹400 |
| Approximate total | ₹3,100–₹5,300 |
Assumptions: self-organised day trip, shared car, no overnight stay. Add a night’s accommodation from the bands above if you combine it with Gumla.
Permits, rules and photography
No special permit is required to visit Navratangarh: it is an open, centrally protected ASI site in a village, and no inner-line or protected-area permit applies to Gumla district. As with all ASI monuments, do not deface, climb on fragile masonry, or remove anything from the site.
Official sources do not publish a camera fee or drone policy for this specific monument. As a general rule, treat still photography for personal use as fine and do not fly a drone over a protected monument without written ASI permission. The sunken palace and excavated trenches can be uneven, so keep clear of unfenced edges.
Practical tips
Treat Navratangarh as a rural, facility-free monument and come prepared. A few practical notes:
- Connectivity and cash: Mobile coverage can be patchy in the village; draw cash in Ranchi or Gumla, as ATMs and reliable UPI are not guaranteed at Nagar.
- Timings: No fixed ASI opening hours are published for the site; visit in daylight and avoid late afternoons in winter when it gets dark early.
- Health: The nearest well-equipped hospitals are in Gumla town and Ranchi; carry basic medicines, water and sun protection.
- Solo women travellers: The site is remote; prefer a daytime visit with a known driver, and share your plan with someone.
- Packing: Sturdy shoes for uneven ground year-round; a hat and water in summer, a light layer for winter mornings.
There is no ticket counter or guide service on site that official sources list, so read up before you go. Our Jharkhand travel guide has more on getting around the state and pairing heritage stops.
Nearby places
Navratangarh pairs naturally with other Gumla-district and Ranchi-area stops. Distances below are approximate and depend on your route.
| Place | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Sisai town | About 15 km | Nearest market town and road hub |
| Gumla town | About 30–45 km | District headquarters; base, food and lodging |
| Palkot | Via Gumla | Later Nagvanshi capital; completes the dynasty’s story |
| Ranchi | About 75 km | State capital; museums, waterfalls, transport links |
For planning a wider loop through the state’s hills, falls and heritage towns, use our Jharkhand travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Navratangarh and how do I get there?
Navratangarh is in Nagar village, Sisai block, Gumla district, Jharkhand, about 75 km west of Ranchi. The nearest airport and major railway are both at Ranchi. From there, drive via Bharno and Sisai to the site; a hired car or taxi is the most practical way to cover the last stretch to the village.
Who built Navratangarh fort and when?
Jharkhand Tourism and the Gumla district administration state the fort was built between 1636 and 1639 by the Nagvanshi king Durjan Sal (Durjan Shah). Some sources record other traditions and an inscription-based later date, so treat the 1636–1639 window as the mainstream official dating rather than a settled fact.
Is there an entry fee or fixed timing for Navratangarh?
No entry fee or fixed opening hours are published by official sources for Navratangarh as of October 2026. It is an open, centrally protected ASI site in a village with no ticket counter. Plan a daytime visit, as there is no lighting, and reconfirm locally before you travel.
What can you see at Navratangarh today?
You can see the ruined royal palace, now partly sunken, plus Kamal Sahi Palace, two Jagannath temples, monastic shrines (maths), a rock-cut Shivalinga and Ganesha sculptures, and a pond. The ASI Ranchi Circle lists about ten protected remains. Recent excavations have also exposed an underground palace structure and a tunnel-like passage.
Is the “nine-storey palace” claim true?
The nine-storey description is reported as tradition, not confirmed history. Press accounts note only about three storeys survive today and that the palace’s original height is unresolved; recent digs show much of the structure lies below ground. Treat the nine-storey figure as local lore pending firm archaeological confirmation.
Is the Nagvanshi dynasty connected to Nagaland?
No. Navratangarh belonged to the Nagvanshi (serpent-lineage) dynasty of the Chotanagpur plateau in present-day Jharkhand, which has no connection to the Naga people of Nagaland in the northeast. The similar-sounding names are a coincidence; some headlines have blurred the two, so the distinction is worth keeping clear.
Last updated and sources
Navratangarh suits travellers interested in regional dynasties and archaeology who are comfortable with a remote, facility-free ruin. Go in the cool, dry months of October to February and pair it with Gumla or Palkot.
Last updated: 30 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: ASI Ranchi Circle — Navratangarh; Gumla district administration; Jharkhand Tourism; Wikipedia — Navratangarh (ASI ref N-JH-12); IANS, January 2024 — ASI excavations. Accessed September 2026.
