Patratu Dam Ranchi: Best Picnic Spot Near Ranchi

In the undiscovered forests of Jharkhand lies a lush region called Patratu Dam. Green mountains covered with woods surround it. Through which flow rivers and streams. They make their way in a serpentine passage. Like the very road which adorns the valley itself. They flow down steep terrains as marvelous waterfalls.

A dam In the Lush region of Patratu

One such river is Nalkarni. It’s no ordinary one though. It is the lifeline of Patratu. The Patratu Thermal Power Station and the Ramgarh cantonment area depend on this river for their water supply.

Patratu Dam

Yet it’s not easy to do such a task without a systematic arrangement. It is important to harness the river’s aquatic resources. This only can ensure their effective use. Patratu Dam fulfills this purpose of restraining the river’s waters. It holds them and stores them. It is then supplied to the needed areas. At an elevation of 405 meters, the dam is situated 40 km away from Ranchi. This is about 30 km to the west of Ramgarh. Recently, the Patratu Dam has emerged as a tourist destination. Thanks to its lush surroundings and marvelous ambiance.

Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya guided the construction of this dam. For those of you who are unaware. He is the Father of Indian engineering. This fact adds to the architectural grace of the dam.

When to visit Patratu Dam

Summers

Patratu Dam is situated in a tropical region. This makes summers not a great time to visit this place. After all, it’s difficult to enjoy even the best views with a blooming sun overhead. But if you are visiting in the summers, keep the trip for the evening or early morning. Sunsets and sunrises go along with the mood of the trip. And are like relief hours during scorching summers.

Winters

Winters are probably the most favorable time of the year to visit Patratu Dam. You can enjoy all the outdoor activities in the pleasant warmth of the day. Overall, it’s an amazing experience. Enjoying the magnificence of Nature in the cool of the winter months…

Monsoon

It is the end of a hot summer. The rains of the monsoon have rejuvenated the forests. The trees are blossoming in lushness. The scenic nature makes Monsoon an amazing time for visiting Patratu. But there’s always a chance that the rain might spoil your outdoor plans. And outdoor excursion is all that Patratu Dam is about. Hence, be cautious. Check the weather report before coming on a day in the monsoon months.

How to Reach Patratu Dam

Reaching Patratu is not a trouble. Thanks to its proximity to Ranchi. Further advantaged by its good connectivity.

By Air

One can take a flight to the Birsa Munda Airport. It is located in Ranchi about 50 km from Patratu. Flights from some of the major Indian cities and states land here. This includes Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bhubaneshwar, etc.

By Railway

The town has its own railway station. Trains from Kolkata, Delhi, Patna, and some other North Indian states arrive here. Being a native, I would advise you to take a train to the railway station in Ranchi. Patratu Dam is only about 40 kilometers away from the Ranchi Railway Station. It is more convenient and adds to the driving spirit of the journey.

By Road

The highway that runs through Patratu Valley was specially constructed to link the various important cities of Jharkhand. You can reach the Patratu Dam from Ranchi via this road. Also, please make sure that you go by your own vehicle. Like a car or a bike. For there is no public transport available for Patratu Dam. Of course, private taxi, Ola, and Uber’s services are operational here. As Patratu Dam is a picnic spot. The roadway is the best route for Patratu, I guess. Because it adds to the picnic joy.

The Location

Green hills surround the Patratu Dam on three sides. A majestic view of the water body opens in the fourth direction. The government views Patratu as the most beautiful dam of Jharkhand. Hence, it is putting in due efforts to renovate it. And turn it into a wonderful picnic spot for tourists.

Beside the old guest, they have constructed a new building for visitors. This building can accommodate more people. The government has also funded the construction of a pathway. It is 3.5 km long. High marks lights have been erected all along its length. The whole path illuminated by these lights is a sight to marvel. People stay late till evening to enjoy this view.

Things to do in Patratu Dam

Patratu dam is an ideal tourist spot. There are a plethora of things to do here.

Sight-seeing

We have talked enough about the natural treasures of Patratu. The beautiful mountains, the reservoir harnessing the river. You can stand at the coast beside the dam or on the pathway bathed in the evening lights. And admire the scenic beauty. Observe the various aquatic creatures indulged in their plays. Let your eyes savor the majestic natural view. Meditate in peace.

Before these government developments, locals and adventures had their own viewpoints. One is just beside the reservoir, from where the water is released. The locals have named it the “jharna” (waterfall) point. A short steep climb from there and you reach a high enough spot. The place captures the grace of the valley in its entirety. It’s a paradise for photography lovers.

The Ultimate Picnic

The government is doing its best. Building new resorts and developing tourist amenities. Thus, Patratu dam emerges as an ideal picnic spot. It has recreational activities for people of all ages.

Patratu Lake Resort

One of the first moves of the government to nurture tourism. Patratu Lake Resort makes your picnic blissful. It has a special picnic spot. It boasts of a children’s park with jhule and swings. For youngsters, it has an adventure park. It offers recreational activities like wall climbing, a multi-layered rope course, and bungee jumping. This commemorates the trip for the youth with adventure.

The boating facility here has been appreciated by many visitors. Apart from which, there is an arrangement for various other water activities. This includes jet skiing and parasailing. You can also surf the water on high-speed motorboats. The resort charges a nominal fee for entry. Charges vary for the games and activities but it is worth the adventure.

A Site which honours Arts and Culture

Enter the main gate of the Patratu Lake resort. You are greeted by an open art gallery. It displays mural works by young artists. Such artwork decorates the walls and pillars of the resort.

Chhat Pooja is an important festival in Jharkhand and its neighboring states. Devotees offer arghaya to Surya on the day of the festival. A Chhat Ghat has been designed to cater to this festive ritual.

A surreal trip on the Boat

Once you have spent some quality time at this resort. You can hop onto a boat. It will take you to a man-made island in the lake. Enjoy this surreal water stroll, floating in the vastness of the aquatic blue. Witness the creatures of Varuna’s realm swimming along. If you are lucky, you might get to see some flying fish even. Especially after the lockdown, the waters have become cleaner. Hence, the activity of the birds and animals has also increased.

Patratu Dam Resort and Sunset Point

The boat will bring you to the shores of the artificial island. Here stands the Patratu resort. A similar boating facility is available here also. This resort is often referred to as the sunset point. On its periphery are towering structures on which one can climb. Standing on their eaves you will be mesmerised by the beautiful sunset view.

Within the resort area are shops which sell handicrafts. You need not worry about food. It has some of the best restaurants which serve the most delicious meals. The resort has an inbuilt camping area. Visitors can set up bonfires there and have fun. The boats from here take you back to the Dam.

A word of caution. Please, check if the resorts and boating facilities have opened yet or not. The pandemic had led to their closure. And there has been word about the irregularity of their reopening.

Ending on a positive note…

I would say that visit the Patratu Dam whenever feasible. It’s a place wild with beauty and adventure. A hidden spot which one should not miss. In these times when we don’t have time for one another. Such spots can bring us closer to each other and human emotion.

Patratu Dam stores and provides water to civilization. It can do so to our spirits too. By giving us an enjoyable day full of Romance and adventure.

MY ACTIVITIES

TREK BEYOND

TRAVEL DREAMS