THE BEGUILING VALLEY OF PATRATU

THE BEGUILING VALLEY OF PATRATU

If you happen to visit the enchanting tranquil city of Ranchi in Jharkhand (also known as the state of Tribes), then do explore its surroundings, which are booming with wildlife and rich bio diversity and have some of the most serene locations, hidden and less known to the tourists.

Despite being less popular among tourists, Jharkhand offers few of the best hidden tourist destinations. Among them, the ‘Patratu Valley’ (also called serene Valley) is popular due to its proximity to Ranchi.

Located in the Ramgarh district of Jharkhand State, Patratu is a charming valley town which is popular for its Dam (also known as Nalkarni Dam), which was constructed to store the water of river Nalkarni and the many waterfalls of the hills surrounding this dam. It was constructed primarily to supply water to the Ramgarh military Cantonment area and is also the main reservoir for the Patratu Thermal Power Station (PTPS).

The city was developed to house employees of the Patratu Thermal Power Station, which was established in 1962 in collaboration with the USSR. It has two chimneys made by a Czech firm, Skoda, and is called the Russian side. The other two chimneys were made by an Indian public sector company, BHEL, and therefore called the Indian side. The plant has a power generation capacity of 840MW.

A Tale of Twists and Turns

Patratu Valley is ideal for a long drive. It is located at 23.67°N 85.28°E and has an average elevation of 405 meters (1328 feet). It makes for a perfect weekend getaway to relish natural beauty.

A trip on a four wheeler or a motorbike through the slithering highway road, curving its way through the valley, offers the vagabond an opportunity to explore the winding Ghat roads that lead through the hill Ranges where the terrain is bedecked with exuberant flora. The road then meanders down in a series of sharp hairpin bends which seem never ending. The drive is blissful and quite exhilarating, and the roads are picturesque too with wide corners and fenced borders.

Patratu Lake

En-route one will come across vendors selling Chaat, Ice Cream, Sugary Cotton Candy and tender Coconut water, enough to quell the palate of a traveller since the journey can be exhausting and can make your stomach rumble.

Patratu is an excellent fusion of modern marvel and mother nature and is full of its bounties, a feast for those who love nature. The place is untouched and virgin in its lush greenery and rich flora. A haven for photographer enthusiasts.

Patratu at Night

Getting There

By Air :The nearest airport is located in Ranchi at a distance of about 50 km.

By Train : Nearest railhead is Ranchi, which is connected to all major cities and towns in India.

By Road : A good system of road network exists. In addition, buses are available to many cities of Jharkhand and West Bengal.

When To Be There

Patratu valley is located in the area of influence of the Tropic of Cancer, and the best time to visit this place is from September to February. After the spell of a hot summer is over, the forest blossoms with lush rejuvenation.

During November and December, tourists get a chance to watch beautiful migratory birds. The Himalayan Ducks, Siberian Ducks, Ruddy Shedduck, Red Breasted Pochard and Pin Tail are some of the species that make an annual visit.

The Place To Be

A little ahead and one will reach the Sarovar Vihar Patratu Lake Resort, which has been built beside the Patratu Dam by the State Tourism department in 2019. The resort offers a pleasant ambience and is an ideal place to rest and recoup.

The water park near the resort offers a variety of water sports, such as jet skiing, high speed motorboats, side boats, casts and parasailing. Apart from this, the amusement park has wall climbing, bungee jumping, multi-layered rope course, etc. 

So next time you are in Ranchi, do explore this serene getaway that mother nature has to offer. For the overland enthusiasts: no reservation needed, just a thirst for adventure; so head out and camp on the shores of the lake to experience its tranquillity up close.

Bon Voyage