Netarhat Trip [2] - concluding

Netarhat trip [2]



        [Upper Ghagri falls]                                                                                                                                           [forest front of Dakbunglow resort]



One problem of being the driver of the trip is that while you enjoy driving you are struck with the steering wheel! You cannot shoot your camera as you like therefore, I have very less snaps in this trip. But honestly, the views were so captivating that I often forgot about the camera altogether! The lush greenery and the breathtaking sight of the river Koel winding through the gorge were mesmerizing. It’s no wonder that the renowned Bengali writer Buddhadeb Basu found himself drawn to this place repeatedly, inspired to pen some of his best works here.



Regarding hotel I can say you don’t have much choices. The main options are Hotel Prabhat Vihar and the Dak Bungalow, both run by the Jharkhand Government and located at prime spots. Prabhat Vihar even has the official sunrise point on its campus. Other nearby hotels are available but all hotels are overpriced for what they offer. Although many bookings are done online, we were able to secure two rooms at Prabhat Vihar’s reception on the spot. 




[Subarnarekha river on the way ]

Since Netarhat has three schools, including a well-known one, liquor shops are banned in the market area. However, hotel owners are happy to serve liquor for a premium.


At Netarhat on a clear sky when the sun rises behind the hills & forests, it gives a spectacular view indeed but we missed it due to cloudy weather, despite the crowd gathered to watch. Still, the atmosphere was memorable.

 


After breakfast the next day, we visited the Koel River, pear orchards, the Dak Bungalow, Upper and Lower Ghagri Falls, and the lake. Pillai took the wheel and barely let it go—he loves driving so much and that too on a hilly road!


By noon, we were on our way toward Ranchi and Jamshedpur. Sharma suggested stopping for the evening at Dolma Hill or Ghatsila along the way.


[concluded] 


S. Bera


Directions: Netarhat is 565 km from Kolkata via Kharagpur-Jamshedpur-Ranchi. 155 KM from Ranchi.

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