Rankini Mandir, also known as Kapadgadi Ghat Rankini Mandir, is a temple in Rohinibera village near Jadugora, Jamshedpur in Jharkhand. Goddess Rankini is believed to be a manifestation of Goddess Kali, a local deity worshipped primarily by the tribal communities and Hindus of the region.
Since Rankini Mata is a significant deity for the tribal population, tribal art and motifs can be seen in and around the temple. It is widely believed that during ancient times, people travelling through the dense forest worshiped at the Rankini Devi temple for their protection and well-being.
The current structure of the temple, constructed around 1950, is flanked by shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesha and Lord Shiva. Historically, the temple witnessed practices such as human sacrifices (narabali) until approximately 1865, when British authorities intervened to halt the ritual. Initially, the local Bhumij tribes were the primary worshippers, venerating the stone deity as an embodiment of Goddess Durga. Over time, this devotion expanded to include both tribal and non-tribal communities in the district.
It is believed that Goddess Rankini resides in a stone and is still present today. The Rankini Mata Temple was established between 1947 and 1950 at its current location. Earlier, the Goddess was worshipped in Kapadgadi Valley, near a stream below the main temple. According to legend, Goddess Rankini appeared in a dream to a man named Dinbandhu Singh and revealed that she existed in the form of a Shila (stone).
She asked him to worship her. Following the orders of the Goddess, Dinbandhu established a Shila as the murthi of the Goddess where temple of Maa Rankini is located. From that day, Dinbandhu Singh began offering vermilion and a colored cloth to the stone. A few years later, the Goddess appeared again in his dream and instructed him to establish a temple where people could come and worship her.
Goddess Rankini once lived in the forests of Kapadgadi Valley. One day, a shepherd saw a young girl walking alone and started asking about her. But the girl did not reply. To escape, she ran to Kapadgadi Ghat, where a washerman was washing clothes. She hid inside his cloth bag. After some time, when the shepherd couldn’t find her, he left and returned to the forest. Meanwhile, the pile of clothes where the Goddess was hiding had turned into a stone.
Rankini Mata Temple in Jadugora celebrates several festivals with great devotion, especially those honoring Goddess Kali and tribal traditions. The most significant festival is Durga Puja, when devotees gather in large numbers to offer prayers, perform special rituals, and seek blessings. Navratri is another major celebration, marked by continuous worship, chanting, and offerings of vermilion and sacred cloth to the Goddess. Unique to this temple is the tribal-style worship, where local communities perform traditional dances and songs dedicated to Rankini Mata. In the past, animal sacrifices were part of the rituals, but they have now been largely discontinued. Devotees also observe special Tuesdays and Saturdays, believed to be the most auspicious days for seeking the Goddess’s blessings.
