GALUDIH NEAR JAMSHEDPUR

On A Gold Hunt

Just 44 km from Jamshedpur, Galudih offers a breath of fresh air for those coming from nearby cities

Anwesh Koley

THE CHARM of the countryside and the aromatic fresh air lured us even more now, since our board exams were finally over and so were the harrowing days spent frantically poring over books. At the moment , it was time to relax and nothing beats a weekend getaway with friends to a nearby destination never explored before. So, out came my friend Udits Indica and we took it for a must check-up . Rucksacks ready, boots on and hearts aplomb, we were ready to keep worries at bay and have some fun. Galudih, a small village located 44 km from Jamshedpur, was the preferred choice as it was a respite from the industrial environs of my city.
Located at the foothills of the Dalma mountain range, Galudih offers a breath of fresh air for tourists coming from nearby cities where life is about work-related stress. The area in the Chhota Nagpur plateau region is replete with hilly ranges that are home to flora and fauna amidst beautiful water bodies. The sight of elephants descending from the mountains to have a drink from the village pool is really fascinating.
It was 5 am when Rohit woke me up, as our journey was to commence within an hour. As we took to the tarmac, hills, forests and nature was what we were looking forward to. On reaching the place within two hours, we were not disappointed . It was nature at its serene best. As we drove on, tall Sal and Mahua trees greeted us and we were in awe. It was March and the weather was slightly overcast . This is the best period to visit the village , though tourists can be found throughout the year.
The Galudih Resort welcomed us with warmth and the staff was hospitable. Accommodation is never an issue, as there are plenty of resorts to take care of a steady influx of visitors. Complete with a swimming pool, well-equipped gym, boating and ropeway facilities; natures beauty does not come without luxury. The waterfalls of Neel Jharna and the Subarnarekha River are a must for first timers but what really captured our imagination were the trekking destinations of Nekradungri, Fuldungri and Rukmini. As it was not mandatory to put on heavy boots, knee guards or professional gloves, we were only too eager to let our imagination run wild. Trudging up the hills, through woods, you may find birds that you may have never seen before there was a sense of tranquility for our youthful spirits.
The Neel Jharna is a place bustling with tourists. The water here is blue, due to the high copper sulphate content. Once there, the sweet smell of purity cannot be missed. The Subarnarekha, or the streak of gold , is a mystically beautiful river that is said to contain gold dust along its shores. Tourists often visit this river precisely for gold hunting. In fact, the locals are believed to have actually discovered gold, albeit in impure form and making a living out of it in the early 90s. It, however, remains a tedious task and local people often cannot spare the time and labour required.
The local people are warm and also offered us some moori (puffed rice), a staple food of the region. Birds in the local temples are music to the ears of visitors. As dusk sets in, you could climb to the top of any small hill and the sunset will take your heart away; as if saying: you were here, I stood tall with radiance, now you are leaving and I take a bow!

NAVI GATO R



BY AIR:

Kolkata airport is 248 km from Galudih

BY TRAIN:

Galudih railway station is directly connected by Indian rail

BY ROAD:

It is 248 km from Kolkata, 44 km from Tatanagar and 12 km from Ghatshila

PACKAGES:

A suite at Hotel Akashdeep costs Rs 1,000 per night