Encircled by low hills, forests and hilly springs, Netarhat nestles like a secret refuge in the heart of Jharkhand. Once home to several tribes, the hills caught the fancy of the British rulers who converted it into a hill station. Then dubbed as the ‘Queen of Chotanagpur’, the hill station has moved far beyond its colonial days. Now known for its natural beauty. The highest point is 3,696 feet. It’s around 150 km from Ranchi, the state capital of Jharkhand. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit this enchanting destination with my family, and the experience left me spellbound.

Netarhat is famous for its spectacular sunrise and sunset views, especially during the summer months. You can witness the changing colours of the sky and the horizon from various viewpoints, such as Magnolia Point, Sunrise Point and Sunset Point.

Two of our relatives came to visit us for a few days recently and we planned a quick getaway to Netarhat. Reaching Netarhat from the plains is part of the fun. It’s a smooth road through the paddy fields up to Lohardaga.

Driving to Netarhat: A Glimpse of Nature’s Splendor

As our journey to Netarhat commenced, the landscape transformed dramatically, offering breathtaking views at every turn. The winding roads snaked through dense forests adorned with a myriad of flora and fauna, creating a mesmerizing tapestry of colours. The air was crisp and invigorating, carrying with it the scent of pine and wildflowers.

The four-hour drive was nice and we stocked beer cans from Ranchi before we started the journey and then again replenished our stocks at Lohardaga.

Then slowly the road climbed up after we crossed Ghaghra.

The rolling hills are covered with Sal, Palash and Mahuwa trees. The steep hill road (ghati) cuts through the forests, runs past some sharp bends, finally flattening into a pat on which perches Netarhat, amidst cypress and pine trees.

The Destination Netarhat

As we reached up, a gate welcomed us at Netarhat. Located in the Pat region of the Chotanagpur Plateau, which covers much of Jharkhand state as well as adjacent parts of Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh. Chotanagpur is the collective name for the Ranchi, Hazaribagh, and Kodarma plateaus. Pat are hills which are characterized by a flat and regular top surface but by very steep slopes from all sides.

As we were making quick plans, I booked two tents for us at the Naturehat Resorts in Netarhat. We drove into the resort.

After the four-hour-long journey, we were hungry. The resort could immediately serve us noodles and we opted for that. It’s a cloudy day with occasional rain and drizzle. We had to rush to the Magnolia Sunset Point although we knew that witnessing sunset was just impossible. We asked the resort guys to cook desi (country) chicken for us for dinner in Champaran style—stewed for quite a long time over charcoal in fixed earthen pots (Ahuna). We left for Magnolia Sunset Point.

Magnolia Sunset Point: A Spectacular Panorama

One of the highlights of our visit was witnessing the sunset from the famous Sunset Point in Netarhat. Perched atop a hill, the viewpoint offered an uninterrupted vista of the sprawling valley below. As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, time seemed to stand still, and we were left awestruck by the sheer magnificence of nature’s spectacle.

There’s hardly any British-era hill station in India that is without a scandal or a suicide point. Netarhat is no exception. According to local tales, during the colonial period, an English resident named Magnolia fell in love with a local peasant. But literally driven to the edge by society, she committed suicide by jumping off the cliff. Since then the place has become known as Magnolia Point.

The local administration has spruced up Magnolia Sunset Point from where you can catch the best sunset view. Unfortunately, that day was cloudy and it was drizzling when we reached there and we were deprived of the view of the sunset.

We spent some time there and returned to our resort after having a cup of tea with pakoras. It was dark by then.

The Evening

As darkness settles over the hills, Netarhat draws into a shell. Soon after sunset, the roads turn empty. A veil of quietness drops over the surrounding hills as nature takes a rest to rise with the sun on the next day. As the evening progressed the rain stopped. We sat outside enjoying whiskey until dinner was served. It was a nice experience enjoying the elixir of life in the lap of nature.

Then came the dinner: rice, chapati, and Ahuna Chicken, a mark dish of old Champaran, Bihar – stewed for quite a long time over a low flame in handis (earthen pots). It was cooked so nicely and tasted awesome.

After the lovely dinner, we retired to our bed. We were tired and had to get up early to attempt to view the sunrise. We got up by 4:30 AM and got ready to go out to the sunrise point.

The Sunrise

It was nearby unlike the sunset point, which was a 9 km drive from the resort through the famous Netarhat Residential School. It was a partly cloudy morning so we had to wait for the Sun to come out of the cloud in the morning from the other side of Koel river valley.

Koel River originates from the Palamau Tiger Reserve near Netarhat and is segregated into two rivers, the South Koel River and the North Koel River. The river is believed to be fed by three streams of Jharkhand, namely South Karo, North Karo and Koina. After enjoying the Koel River flowing down the valley and the Sun rising behind the clouds, we returned to the resort to have breakfast there.

Our guests had to reach Asansol on that evening so we hurriedly left for the Lower Ghaghri as we finished our breakfast. We asked for Kadi-Chawal for lunch at the resort and left for Lower Ghaghri, a tributary of Auranga River.

Magnificent Waterfalls

Lower Ghaghri Falls is located 10 kilometres from Netarhat. It is the 33rd-highest waterfall in India. Here, Local rivulets, originating from the hillocks add on to the volume of water from Upper Ghagri, tumbling down from a height of about 100 feet.

We left our car mesmerised by the beauty of nature and started trekking in the forest.

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It is through the dense forests where large branches of trees serve as bridges over the short brisk rivulets.

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The tall trees of the forests are endowed with thick luxuriant growth making me reminiscent of the American poet, Robert Frost’s description of lovely, dark, and deep woods; the gushing sound of the water seems to shatter the prevailing tranquillity.

Due to the absence of visitors on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, and rainy season, the path to the bottom of the waterfalls is covered with vegetation, mud, and slippery rocks. We could not make it to the bottom to have a full view of the fall. Next time, perhaps.

Netarhat is not a much commercialised place, so you can enjoy its tranquillity and simplicity. There are a few hotels and resorts that offer comfortable accommodations and basic amenities. You can also find some local restaurants that serve delicious food. The people of Netarhat are friendly and hospitable and will make you feel at home.

Amidst the allure of tourism, it is crucial to acknowledge the importance of preserving Netarhat’s ecological balance. Sustainable practices such as responsible waste management and conservation efforts are imperative to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the pristine beauty of this region.

Concluding Thoughts

Our visit to Netarhat was nothing short of magical, leaving us with memories that will be cherished for a lifetime. From the breathtaking vistas to the warm hospitality of its people, every moment spent in this hidden paradise was a testament to the beauty and tranquillity of nature. As we bid farewell to Netarhat, we carry with us a renewed appreciation for the wonders of the natural world and a desire to explore more of Jharkhand’s hidden gems in the future.