Netarhat: A True Lovestory

Hello friends, today I am here with a new story. It is a love story and also a travel story. Today I will take you to a hilly village of Jharkhand to tell the story. Hope you will enjoy the story and the journey too. So, Lets start... 

"Tu Meri Neendon Mein Sota Hai

Tu Mere Ashqon Mein Rota Hai

Sargoshi Si Hai Khayaalon Mein

Tu Na Ho, Phir Bhi Tu Hota Hai..."

        India is a land full of love and love stories. If you want love in nature, history, architecture, heritage, legendary tales and want to enjoy those stories of love, India is the only country to provide you all these. So, in search of a legendary love story and to cherish it, one winter morning I started my journey to a hill station of Jharkhand, Netarhat. 

        Netarhat is nature's gift to Jharkhand. A small village situated at the top of the Latehar Hill Range in an altitude of 3630ft above sea level and sorrounded by Mahuadanr Wolf Santuary, Garu Reserve Forest and Betla Tiger Reserve; Netarhat is a place where one can enjoy nature at its best. With amazing views of sunrise and sunset, plantation of pears and a few view points; Netarhat is a nature lovers paradise. It is also known as the Queen of Chhotanagpur.

River Koyel

        The road to Netarhat from the state capital Ranchi is fantastic. The last 40 km drive after crossing the Koyel river at Banari Check post is amazing. Hilly ghat roads with thick Sal, Arjun, Palash, Shimul and Mahua on both side will greatly surprise you. This road is so romantic that it will remind you that you are in the land of love. And in the very first moment you will be in love of nature. Reaching the small village of Netarhat, the scenic village market place, locally called haat will welcome you. It is said that once the forests of this region was a great source of bamboo. This haat was the main centre from where merchants of distant places came to buy bamboos. In local tribal language bamboo is known as netur. From netur haat this tribal village got the name Netarhat. Presently this haat is the place from where the agricultural produces of the village is sold to merchants from the cities and towns nearby. Similarly, essential items from other villages or towns are sold to the dwellers of this village. So, this haat is a very important place in the life of the villagers. By seeing people and there activities you can have a quality time pass here.

Way to Netarhat through forests

        Then its time to visit the Koyel view point from where one can have a birds eye view of the Koyel river through the Lohardaga valley. The view of river Koyel in the middle of the forests and undulating surface of Chhotanagpur Plateau is fantastic. Actually, you are now very much in the land of love. So, everywhere you will enjoy the nature. And fell in love of nature. You will feel a sweet smell in the forests of this region. Actually this sweet smell is coming from flowering of Chhatim flower. If you visit this place in spring, you will be amazed by the flowering of Palash and Shimul all over in the forests. After visiting this place we came back to our hotel as it was going dark. One must keep it in mind that as soon as the sun sets, the total activity of this village stops as this village is sorrounded by forests in all side, elephant, wolf, sloth beers, and sometimes leopards are frequent visitors here. So it is advisible not to venture out in the evening or night. You can best enjoy campfires at the hotel in the evening. 

Netarhat dam

        Next morning it is a treat to watch the sunrise from the Prabhat Vihar view point. Its a lifetime experience. The morning sun peeping out of the horizon and the darkness prevailing in the forests gradually removed by the rays of sun. Just keep silence to enjoy the moment at its maximum. You will here only sound of cricket and leaf insects when it was dark and as rays of light enters the forests these sounds stops and sounds of chirping of birds starts. A walk in the surroundings of the hotel is really welcoming. You will enjoy the village at its most in this time of the day. When the villagers starts a new day with typical tribal rituals. But to view the sunrise, it is recommended to visit here in dry seasons of winter, spring and autumn. In monsoon you can miss the sunrise.

Sunrise from Prabhat Vihar View Point

        But monsoon has a special treat too. Netarhat is welknown for pears plantation (Naspati Bagan). In monsoon, specially August or September, you can experience harvesting of pears. Moreover, in monsoon Netarhat is full of green. It looks like someone has painted the village with different shades of green. The Upper ghagri waterfalls is also more youthful in monsoon. In winter it somewhat runs dry.

        On the journey back from the Upper Ghagri waterfalls one has to come across the Netarhat dam. This is the place from where the entire village of Netarhat and Mahuadanr get its water supply. the water here is absolutely crystal clear. The sky reflecting in the water gives it a bluish appearance.

        A few minutes drive from the dam through a beautiful road with Pine plantation on both side of the road will take you to the Netarhat school. This is the oldest and most reputed school of this sector. The View of the school campus with a large playground is good. After visiting these places have your lunch and spent a lazy afternoon by birdwatching and watching different types of butterflies in Hotel compound. You will enjoy it a lot. The forests here are home to a great variety of birds. 

Road to Netarhat School

        At about 4pm, we started for the Sunset point. It is about 9km away from the hotel. A 20 mins drive through a beautiful road will take you to the sunset point, also known as Magnolia Point. This point has a love story behind its name. The story will take you to the colonial period in India. Netarhat was once inhabited by British officers who started pears plantation here. One of this officers have a beautiful daughter named Magnolia. Every evening Magnolia rode her horse and came to this place to watch the beautiful sunset in the hilltop. There was a shepherd from the local village who after his whole day work in the woods crossed this place with his herd of ship. He also took a breathe after climbing uphill in this very place. Day passes. Once they became friends. Later with passage of time they fell in love of each other. They met here everyday. One day, the officer came to know about their affairs. Hearing this, the angry officer wanted to kill the shepherd. Magnolia got frightened about the consequences rode her horse to this place, met the shepherd and told her to flee from the village. Then she jumped of the cliff along with her horse and committed suicide... 

Netarhat Sunset

        Today, there is a statue of Magnolia and the shepherd in the position from where Magnolia jumped off from the cliff. You will here enjoy the setting of sun with this legendary love story. By watching the sun to set you too will fall in love with Magnolia and will feel sad for the shepherd.

        Actually, here the nature is very lovable. In every footsteps in Netarhat, you will fall in love with nature... After this trip it becomes a question to me, whether the name Netarhat is perfect, or it is more appropriate if it was 'Nature's Hut'. As nature is always ready here to welcome everyone in its small hut. 

        So friends, how is the love story? Comment me your views about this love story and if you want to experience this love story, Netarhat is there with its all nature to welcome you. You will also fall in love with the Queen of Chhotanagpur...

How to reach:- Its about 170km from Ranchi. A beautiful drive of 3.5hrs from Ranchi will bring you to Netarhat. Otherwise take a train to Daltongunj. From Daltongunj Netarhat is about 100km. If you have plans to come here it is better to hire a car from Ranchi or Daltongunj. 

Where to stay:- There are few eco-resorts here, but it is better to stay in the Jharkhand Tourism run Hotel Prabhat Vihar. The sunrise point is at the hotel premises. Booking through official page of Jharkhand Tourism. If you visit here in winter it is highly advisable to book your room in advance.

        So, friends, today its over. I will be right back with a new story very soon. Stay safe and good night.