Tourist attractions in Chatra District

The district of Chatra , gateway of Jharkhand (Chotanagpur) is abundant in scenic picnic spots and rich in fountains, water falls and in flora & fauna. The enchanting beauty of its forests has everything that a nature lover would ever want . One can see an infinite variety of wild life and greenery.

Some of the major tourists spots of Chatra are as here under :-

BHADULI (Bhadrakali):- It is 35 kms. on the East of Chatra and 16 kms. west of Chauparan connected with G.T. Road. It is only half a km. away from Bhdrakali complex of Itkhori block headquarters; situated on the bank of river Mahanad(Mahane) surrounded by hill and forest. There is a water reservoir which has a natural beauty of its own. People flock to watch its eternal beauty on ' Bishua' (Kartik Purnima- a festival after Chhath) and enjoy bath & sun bask.
	Kolhua Hill:- Kolhua hill lies about 6 miles south east of Hunterganj. At hunterganj one has to cross the lilangen river which is now bridged and jeep or walk through the uneven track to the foot of hill. The height of the hill is 1,575 feet and from the top one can find an excellent view. The top of the hill is quite distinctive and is known as " Akash Lochan"(Sky Eye). There are some ancient temples, the most important of which is a temple of ' Kali' known as 'Kauleshwari Devi'
Kauleshwari Devi. On Basant panchami and Ram navmi days, a large number of pilgrims flock to the hill top for worship. Sacrifice of goat in front of the temple is common.The temples and images are now a place of pilgrimage for the Hindus. Dr.M.A.Stein, however, who visited the hill in 1900, was satisfied that they were built by the Jains, who venerated it as the birth - place of the tenth Trithankar, Sitala Swami, and fragmented it about 150 years ago. He felt that it was now entirely unknown to the ordinary jains and is associated by the local Hindus with Pandwa brothers. One of the specimen is a rock cut group of ten Digambari Jain Trithankars.
	In a cave, there is small image which is now worshipped by the Hindus. The image is clearly that of Pasarvanath. with a hood over the head. On a closer examination the hood looks like the hoods of several snakes. The Dhyani Mudra image of Pasarva Nath the 23rd Jain Trithankar with the snake hood over the head is common. From another Cave, it is understood three Jaina images were removed only a few years back. The villagers say that the images were taken away by the jains to Gaya for worship.
The trek to the top of Kolhua hill on the temple of Kauleshwari Devi is quite steep and there are no steps. There is a big tank near the temple with good water. It is, however, preferable to carry water while going up. There is no rest bungalow at the hill top , but the surroundings are excellent for picnic .At this place one can see langoors , beer , deer , neelgai , leopords and other wildlife including a variety of beautiful birds.

Kunda Cave:- The ruins of old Kunda palace are still found at a distance of about three- four miles from the present Kunda Village. The place might have been created either towards the end of 17th or beginning of the 18th century AD. The walls are still standing though in a very much dilapidated condition, Still attracting a large number of visitors from out side. But the main centre of attraction for the illiterate public of places far and near is a Cave situated at a distance of about half a mile from the remains of the old Palace probably dug shortly after the building of the Palace. A narrow path runs downwards from the southern portion of the palace and leads to the cave. A shallow stream , which can be crossed without letting the feet touch the water surface, washes the brace of the cave.

The cave is a hollow made at the base of a part of the hill, not so high. The entrance into the cave is very narrow and one cannot get inside without contracting one's body and bending one's head. There is a central hall inside the cave, not so high. To enable one stand erect, often used by visitors as resting floor. The small hollows connected with their only passage with this central hall, are completely dark.

A big Shivling is installed just at the middle of one of the hollows. The other one was used , people say, by a hermit who lived there some fifty years ago, as the sleeping room.

On the 14th of Phalgun a large number of people come to offer holy water to lord Shiva. They sing holy songs and seasonal ones accompanied by musical instruments.

Inside the central room of the cave some thing has been written by carving over the walls not very indistinct though one cannot decipher it.

TAMA SIN:- It is an attractive beauty spot of Chatra situated on the north-east at the distance of 26 kms. It is to be travelled through a 'Katcha' fair weather road via village Kolhaiya,.There is a big reservoir of water at foot. It is famous for the image of Goddess Bhagwati. Here one can enjoy the scenic beauty of the gorgeous water fall forgetting the worries of life.

Tamasin has a break up of 'tamasin' which means 'darkness prevails '. This area is full of mixed forest having high trees making the area dark even in the daylight .Tamasin is mainly famous for a very beautiful waterfall which is awaiting the due love of the tourists.This area deserves a place on the tourist map of India .

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WATER FALLS :-

BICHKILIYA:- It is 'Dah' or water reservoir on the bank of river Niranjana(Lilajan) at the distance of 11 kms . from Chatra in west. The road up to 5 kms. is motorable and the rest 6 kms. is a foot track. It is lovely to look at the water fall foaming snow-white showers with musical tone inviting the lover of nature to have solace in the lap of nature. Due to inaccessibility this nice picnic spot has become adventurous .

DUARI:- It is also known as Balbal Duari situated at the distance of 35 kms in the East of Chatra district on Gidhaur -Katkam Sandi Road. It can be reached from Hazaribagh also. The road is motor able and one can visit this directly form Chatra. During rainy season it is difficult to travel but it is pleasant in winter and summer. There is a hot spring in the bed of river Balbal near the village i.e. Duari. The water is supposed to have curative effect on skin diseases. As in Rajgir here people flock to have hot bath for obtaining remedial effect .In the same way on Makar- Sankranti people gather here in a large number to have a holy dip. The sight is also charming & delightful.

KHAYA BANAROO:- This notable picnic spot of Chatra is about 10 kms. from the district headquarters on the south-west of the town. One can travel by 8 kms of metalled road on Chatra - Chandwa Road and 2 kms. by fair - weather motorable road, the rest 2 kms. can be travelled on foot. The woods are lovely, dark and deep. The scenery is resplendent in all its exquisitely green sylvan beauty. The Banaroo (Dah) reservoir or stream cuts its way through the rocks, and at places, it has cut terraces with balconies out of stone walls on its banks. The deep gorge with numerous shapes in the stones that form the wall of the two sides of the gorge is a rare sight. At places, it seems as if the portions of trees have been transferred into rocks. Mother nature in her artistic best has cut out a poem in rock. The rocky river bed is hauntingly enchanting . The echo songs resound in a lilting melody of soulful grandeur off the valley walls. If a stone is thrown in the reservoir, several pigeons would fly-off together from their holes with the chirping sound. The dancing waves of the stream, foam at places, producing a gurgling sound is sure to attract the tourists since the whole valley appears to be echoing with the sound," O listen for the vales profound !"

KERIDAH:- A beautiful picnic spot situated at a distance of 8 kms. from Chatra town on the North-west portion. The road is motor able and the rest to be covered on foot. This water fall is in three parts, between two hill rocks. The denuded rocks present an excellent scenic beauty.

MALOODAH:- It is another beautiful water fall at the distance of about 8 kms. on the west of Chatra. Upto 5 kms. it is motorable and the rest 3 kms. is to be travelled on foot. The water falls from the height of about 50 ft. without touching the sides of the hillocks. It has been cut in semi circle with steep walls. It is lovely to look at & soothing."

DUMER SUMER:- It is also another important beauty spot of Chatra situated on the North at the distance of 12 kms. of which 10 kms. can be covered by vehicle and the rest two kms. is a foot track. The road is Katcha. It looks nice to see the water fall from such a height. It appears as if the spring is dashing against the rocky walls fomenting white rays. One feels as if he is enjoying shower bath under the sun. Nights are lull with magical effect.

GOA:- It is a beautiful water fall at the distance of 6 kms. on the west of Chatra on way to Maloodah. Up to 4.5 kms. it can be reached by jeep and the rest 1.5 kms. can be tracked on foot. The water falls in the reservoir from the height of 30 ft. On all the three sides there are rocks and in middle there is a reservoir On each Monday during the month of Shrawan (rains) people flock here in multitudes, take a dip and enjoy jumping in the fall. It is the nearest picnic spot of Chatra District.

Thus the whole of the district of Chatra is full of rocks and ravine, fountain and flora, deep & dense forest, birds on wings with sweet song' nature smiling at dawn & dusk to look at the crimson colour round the horizon, offering silent but forceful invitation to the lovers of nature to stand and stare at the natural & eternal beauty of Chatra.

Barura Sharif:- There is a Shrine of Data Amir Ali Shah at Barura Sharif situated at the distance of 12 Kms. from Block Headquarters of Pratappur. This Shrine has been constructed at the height of about 10 feet from the river bank. A small seasonal river flows surrounding the Shrine. One has to cross seven small rivulets to reach Barura Sharif, hence locally these ravines are together named ' Saat Bahini' (Seven Sisters ) in these regions. Tradition informs that the revered sufi saint came here in the latter half of the 18th century, influenced the mass with his simplicity, purity, humanity, divinity and miracles. He was a pious sufi saint of higher degree. He served humanity without discrimination of caste, creed, race, or sex.

The Shrine has a quiet and picturesque look. It is very attractive. One would love to have a view of the small ravine from the height of the Shrine. . The Hindus and the Muslim both come here to pay homage to the respected and esteemed saint at his Mazaar. The Urs (Annual Fair) is held here with pomp and pleasure with sincerity on the eve of Chaitra Navmi ( Ninth of the Chaitra - a solar month just after Holi) starting from 1st of the Chaitra continued upto 10th of the month. There is a heavy rush of the devotees from 7 to 9th. On 10th of Chaitra it comes to an end with Fatiha khwani (recitation of suras of the Holy Quran) .People suffering from evil spirits come here in a large number and get themselves cured.

This Mazaar has a major contribution towards communal harmony at Chatra.

Gogri:- It is a water fall and a steep descent leads to its foot. It is 4 miles west of Chatra on the way to Maloodah.