Did you know that there are two waterfalls near Kolkata? Yes, you read that right. Just a short drive away from Kolkata is Dhanbad. Explore the three popular tourist places to visit in jharkhand: Usri, Topchanchi, and Bhatinda waterfalls, from Dhanbad in just 1 day.
Destination Coal Capital of India – Dhanbad
After a long week of work, you deserve a break. So, on Saturday, head to Dhanbad, the coal capital of India, which is just 299 kilometers from Kolkata. Dhanbad was once part of Bengal, but it was later incorporated into Bihar and then Jharkhand. It takes just a few hours to reach Dhanbad from Kolkata. How? We’ll get to that later. First, let’s talk about why you should visit Dhanbad. What’s there?
Itinerary For a Day-Trip From Dhanbad
Morning:
Arrive in Dhanbad by train or car.
Have breakfast at a local restaurant.
Drive to Bhatinda Falls.
Visit Bhatinda Falls.
Have lunch at a restaurant near Bhatinda Falls.
Afternoon:
Drive to Topchanchi Lake.
Visit Topchanchi Lake.
Drive to Usri Falls.
Visit Usri Falls.
Evening:
Drive back to Dhanbad.
Have dinner at a restaurant near Dhanbad Station.
Depart from Dhanbad by train or car.
What will you see?
While Dhanbad city itself doesn’t have much to offer in terms of sightseeing, there are a few places worth visiting in the surrounding area. In particular, three popular tourist attractions are Ushri, Topchinchhi, and Bhatinda Falls. This post is all about them, so let’s go!
Bathinda Water Falls
Bhatinda Falls, a hidden gem in Jharkhand
Bhatinda Falls is located in the Mundikhd area of Jharkhand, just 18 kilometers from Dhanbad railway station. A few years ago, this waterfall was not very well-known in the tourism industry. However, it has gained popularity in recent years.
Bhatinda Falls cascades down in three tiers over the Katari River. Each tier is quite high, resulting in powerful waterfalls. The sound and sight of the waterfalls are truly mesmerizing. The milky-white waterfalls cascade down over a large area in three or four tiers. The water flows down in the form of a river, which eventually merges with the Damodar River.
Standing in front of the waterfall, one is left awestruck by its beauty. The sound of the waterfall is like nature singing with all its might. The water flow is so strong that it is extremely dangerous to swim in it.
A few more tiers can be seen above the lower tiers. They cascade down in steps from a great height. The upper part is covered in forest. Many people sit on the rocks in the open area around the waterfall to enjoy its beauty. It is an ideal place to have breakfast.
There are no facilities for eating or staying near Bhatinda Falls. Therefore, it is advisable to bring food and drinking water with you when you are coming from Dhanbad railway station.
Topchanchi Lake
After spending some time at Bhatinda Falls and taking lots of selfies, it was time to move on to our next destination, Topchanchi Lake. From Dhanbad railway station, it is about 50 kilometers to Topchanchi, passing through the coal mines of the city. Along the way, you will see an open cast coal mine and its deep pit.
To get to Topchanchi Lake from Dhanbad, you need to take the national highway. After getting on the highway, you will reach Topchanchi Mor after a short drive. There are two Punjabi dhabas at Topchanchi Mor, one of which is the popular Shan-e-Punjab.
If it is lunchtime, Shan-e-Punjab is a great place to eat. You can also have lunch here on your way back from Topchanchi Lake. If you are hungry, you should definitely eat here. It is nice to eat Punjabi food in the well-maintained lawn of Shan-e-Punjab.
After lunch, you can head straight to the lake. You need to take a small dirt road through the forest from the highway.
After a short walk through the forest, you will see the lake. Topchanchi Lake is a beautiful lake surrounded by dense forests and hills. The water of the lake is clear. You can enjoy the beauty of nature by sitting on the banks of the lake. There is also a boat ride available on the lake.
To enter the Topchanchi Wildlife Sanctuary, you need to pay a ₹100 vehicle entry fee. When you get out of the car, you will be amazed by the sight of the vast lake surrounded by hills.
The large hill on the other side of the lake is the famous Parasnath Hill. Topchanchi Lake is located at the foot of Parasnath. The clear blue water of the lake reflects the Parasnath Hill. The surrounding hills are also covered in forests.
If you want, you can swim in the lake. However, be careful. The scenery here is so beautiful that it feels like you have come down from heaven.
The entire landscape is bathed in a strange beauty that will mesmerize any nature lover. There is a small dam here. The Topchanchi reservoir or lake, spread over an area of about 214 acres, was built by constructing a dam across a local river. The water of the reservoir flows down in a narrow stream below the dam. There is a crowd of locals visiting the dam. The Topchanchi Wildlife Sanctuary, spread over 8.75 square kilometers, surrounds Topchanchi Lake.
Many films were shot at Topchanchi Lake in the past. There was a famous song scene from a film starring Ashok Kumar and Suchitra Sen, boating on this lake. I can’t remember the name. If you know, please let me know in the comments.
There is a small tea shop here, nestled in the lap of the hill. You can enjoy the beautiful view of the hills while sitting in the shop and drinking tea. After spending a couple of hours here, you feel like you want to stay here for a while longer. But you have to leave thinking about the next destination.
Tips for visiting Topchanchi Lake
The best time to visit Topchanchi Lake is during the winter season, from October to February. The weather is pleasant during this time, and the lake is full of water.
If you are planning to go boating on the lake, it is advisable to book your tickets in advance, especially during the peak season, which is from December to February.
Wear comfortable shoes when walking around the lake. The terrain can be uneven, and you may need to walk for some distance.
Usri Falls
Usri Falls is a hidden gem located about 60 kilometers from Dhanbad Station in Jharkhand, India. It is a 1.5- to 2-hour drive from Dhanbad. The falls are located in a picturesque setting, surrounded by towering mountains and a winding road.
When you arrive at Usri Falls, you will be greeted by the sight of a river cascading down from a height of about 12 meters. The falls are especially spectacular during the monsoon season, when the river is swollen and flows with great force.
There is no need to climb any stairs to reach the falls. You can simply get out of your car and enjoy the view. Usri Falls is a popular picnic spot, so it is a good idea to come early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
Apart from Dhanbad, this Usri can also be reached through Giridi. Distance from Giridi to Usri is 14 km.
How to Reach
There are several options for getting to Dhanbad from Kolkata or Howrah, depending on your budget and time constraints.
By train
The best option for a day trip is the Howrah-Ranchi Shatabdi Express, which departs from Howrah at 6:05 am and arrives in Dhanbad at 8:25 am. Tickets cost between ₹500 and ₹900.
Other options include the Howrah-Jodhpur Express, which departs from Howrah at 11:40 pm and arrives in Dhanbad at 3:30 am, and the Black Diamond Express, which departs from Howrah at 6:15 am and arrives in Dhanbad at 10:45 am.
By road
The drive from Kolkata to Dhanbad is about 200 kilometers and takes about 4 hours. The best route is to cross the Second Hooghly Bridge or Vivekananda Bridge (Bali Bridge) and take the Durgapur Expressway to Dhanbad.
Once in Dhanbad, it is a short drive to Bhatinda Falls, Topchanchi Lake, and Usri Falls.
Where to stay
Accommodation options in Dhanbad
For a day trip to Bhatinda Falls, Topchanchi Lake, and Usri Falls, you do not need to find accommodation in Dhanbad. The station’s waiting room is sufficient for freshening up.
However, if you plan to stay overnight, you can rent a retiring room at the station. The rent is around ₹100-200.
Here are some other accommodation options in Dhanbad:
JTDC Hotel Ratan Vihar: ₹700-1500
Hotel Madhulika IN: ₹2000
Hotel Delight: ₹2240
Hotel the Castle: ₹2854
There are also some budget hotels and lodges near the station that are more affordable.
Other places to visit nearby
Even though the purpose of this trip is to see waterfalls and lakes, “But Yeh Dil Maange More!” So don’t miss the places nearby on the way.
Mudwan (foot of Parasnath hill): Mudwan can be reached by going from Dhanbad to Giridih via Dungri. If you have enough time, you can climb the top of Parasnath hill, about 4500 feet high, by walking 10/11 km, and see the Parshvanath temple. The beauty of nature and the beauty of Topchanchi from above will make you forget all your fatigue.
Ramraj Temple Chitidham: This temple is located in Jogidi, under Baroda police station, on the way to Topchanchi. If you walk a little further on the same path, you will find the confluence of the river temple and the forest, Mahadevgarh.
Birsa-Munda Park: This park is located 5 km from Dhanbad bus stand. So you can take a look if you have time in between going and coming. Open from 7 am to 9 pm.
Jharia coal mine: Jharia coal mine will be on the road from Bhatinda Falls to Topchanchi. Although the place is very dangerous. But if you go and see carefully, it will be a new experience.
Maithon Dam: If you have a lot of time, you can see Maithon Dam on the Bokaro river via Kumardubi from Dhanbad. The extraordinary natural beauty and blue water will fill your heart with joy. If you want, you can also go boating with your loved ones.
After enjoying the beauty of these three places surrounded by strange and beautiful beauty, it is time to return home. If you want to return the same day, you will find trains returning from Dhanbad to Howrah or Sealdah at night. As such –
Shaktipunj Exp
Howrah Superfast Exp
Shatabdi Exp (Recommended)
You can easily find all the information about the arrival time of the trains in Dhanbad, fares, etc. on the IRCTC website.
Finally,
Whether you want to go on a day trip or want to stay another day to see everything in Dhanbad, you will definitely be impressed by the strange and pleasant beauty of this place. So, pack your bags and let your unforgettable travel story be written in the language of the beauty of green nature. Happy & Safe Journey!
