Jay Prakash Narayan

Jay Prakash Narayan

Jayaprakash Narayan was born on October 11, 1902, in Sitabdiara, a village on the border of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. His father Harsudayal was a junior official in the canal department of the State government and was often touring the region. Jayaprakash, called Baul affectionately, was left with his grandmother to study in Sitabdiara. Since there was no high school in the village, Jayaprakash was sent to Patna to study in the Collegiate School
While in school, Jayaprakash read magazines like Saraswati, Prabha and Pratap, books like Bharat- Bharati, and poems by Maithilsharan Gupta and Bharatendu Harishchandra which described the courage and valor of the Rajput kings. Jayaprakash also read the Bhagwad Gita. He excelled in school. His essay, “The present state of Hindi in Bihar” won the best essay award. He joined the Patna College on a Government scholarship.

Jayaprakash was married to Prabhavati, daughter of lawyer and nationalist Brij Kishore Prasad in October 1920. Prabhavati was very independent-minded and on Gandhiji’s invitation, went to stay at his ashram while Jayaprakash continued his studies.

Jayaprakash, along with some friends, went to listen to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad speak about the Non-cooperation movement launched by Gandhiji against the passing of the Rowlatt Act of 1919. The Maulana was a brilliant orator and his call to give up English education “like leaves before a storm, (Jayaprakash was) swept away and momentarily lifted up to the skies. That brief experience of soaring up with the winds of a great idea left imprints on (his) inner being.” Jayaprakash took the Maulana’s words to heart and left Patna College with just 20 days remaining for his examinations. He joined the Bihar Vidyapeeth, a college run by the Congress.
After the Chauri Chaura incident in eastern Uttar Pradesh, the Non- cooperation movement was suspended. Most students returned to their colleges. 

After exhausting the courses at the Vidyapeeth, Jayaprakash decided to go to America to pursue his studies. At age 20, Jayaprakash sailed aboard the cargo ship Janus while Prabhavati remained at Sabarmati. Jayaprakash reached California on October 8, 1922, and gained admission to Berkeley in January 1923. To pay for his education, Jayaprakash picked grapes, set them out to dry, packed fruits at a canning factory, washed dishes, worked as a mechanic at a garage and at a slaughter house, sold lotions and accepted teaching jobs. All these jobs gave Jayaprakash insight regarding the difficulties the working class faced.

Jayaprakash was forced to transfer to Iowa State when fees at Berkeley were doubled. He was forced to transfer to many universities thereafter. He pursued his favorite subject, Sociology and received much help from Professor Edward Ross, the father of Sociology. 

In Wisconsin, Jayaprakash was introduced to Karl Marx’s “Das Capital”. News of the success of the Russian revolution of 1917 made Jayaprakash conclude that Marxism was the way to alleviate the suffering masses. He delved himself into books by Indian intellectual and Communist theoretician M.N. Roy. His paper on Sociology, “Social Variation”, was declared as the best of the year. 

Jayaprakash had to cut his doctorate short when news came that his mother was seriously ill. Jayaprakash returned to India in November 1929, “a mature young man with an enquiring mind, original in his thinking, and with the fierce, idealistic desire to devote himself to serve society.” For Jayaprakash it was not enough that the nation attain political freedom. To him, the definition of freedom was freedom from hunger, poverty and ignorance. 

While Jayaprakash became a believer of the Communist school of thought, Prabhavati became an ardent Gandhian. He respected Prabhavati’s choice and did not force her to change her views. In 1929, both Jayaprakash and Prabhavati left for the Congress session at Lahore under Jawaharlal Nehru’s presidentship. There Nehru invited Jayaprakash to join the Congress, an offer that Jayaprakash gladly accepted. He began work in the Labor Research Cell of the Congress at Allahabad. 

Following the 1930 Dandi March, most of the top Congress leaders were arrested. Jayaprakash immediately set up an underground office at Bombay to continue Congress work. He traveled all over the nation, printing, distributing and organizing secret meetings. After an underground meeting of the Congress Working Committee in Banaras, Jayaprakash went to Madras where he was arrested. The next day the newspaper headlines screamed, “Congress Brain Arrested!” 

In the Nasik jail, Jayaprakash had the opportunity to meet thinkers like Ram Manohar Lohia, Ashoka Mehta, Minoo Masani, P. Dantawala and Achyut Patwardhan. They all were impatient for freedom and agreed to steer the Congress toward the goal of socialism. Jayaprakash was released from jail in 1933. 

In 1934, Jayaprakash and his friends formed the Congress Socialist Party under the Presidentship of Acharya Narendra Deva and secretaryship of Jayaprakash himself. The group intended to function as the Socialist wing within the Congress party and aimed to make socialism the goal of the Congress. In a book “Why Socialism?” (1932), Jayaprakash explained why socialism would be right for India. He was adored by the youth for his idealism. 

Jayaprakash was arrested for speaking against Indian participation in the Second World War in February 1940 and sent to Deoli detention camp in Rajasthan. Jayaprakash was appalled at the conditions in Deoli. He organized a hunger strike to protest the conditions in 1941. The Government immediately released him. He was again arrested in 1942 for participating in the Quit India movement. In November 1942, Diwali night, Jayaprakash along with five others escaped the prison by scaling the 17 feet high wall while the guards remained distracted by the festivities. A Rs. 10,000 reward was offered for Jayaprakash’s capture, dead or alive. Jayaprakash escaped to Nepal and organized a guerilla army called the “Azad Dasta”. Jayaprakash and Ram Manohar Lohia were captured briefly but were rescued by the Azad Dasta members, who set fire to a hut to distract the guards. Both freedom fighters escaped to Bihar. Finally the British closed in on Jayaprakash in Amritsar when he was on his way to Rawalpindi to meet Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan. Jayaprakash was taken to Lahore Fort, notorious as a “Torture chamber” on September 18, 1943. 16 months of mental and physical torture followed. Jayaprakash was put in solitary confinement for the first month. Then came interrogations, physical torture and humiliation. Jayaprakash was released from jail on April 12, 1946. 

Jayaprakash returned to a nation he could barely recognize. Talk of partition and riots between Hindu and Muslims dominated the atmosphere. Jayaprakash rushed to Bihar to assist in curbing the riots. He pleaded with the Congress Working Committee not to accept the partition plan.

Independence finally came on August 15, 1947. Within a year Gandhiji was assassinated. Prabhavati hid her sorrow behind the spinning wheel, but Jayaprakash’s mind “churned (with) grief and horror.” He began to see the wisdom in Gandhiji’s insistence on truth and non-violence. 

The Socialists lost to the Congress in the 1952 elections. Nehru invited Jayaprakash to join the Cabinet. When Nehru could give no assurances on the implementation of Jayaprakash’s 14 point plan to reform the Constitution, the Administration and Judicial system, nationalize the banks, redistribute land to the landless, revive Swadeshi, and setup cooperatives, Jayaprakash refused the offer. 

Jayaprakash turned his attention to the trade unions he was President of. He, along with the unions was able to get a minimum wage, pension, medical relief and housing subsidy introduced. At the same time, Jayaprakash was keenly watching events in Russia. The bloody purges and imprisonment convinced Jayaprakash that communism was not for India. He realized that Gandhiji’s success in the freedom struggle had showed that it was possible to bring about change without sacrificing one’s values. 

On April 19, 1954, at a meeting in Gaya, Jayaprakash made the dramatic announcement of dedicating his life (jeewan daan) to Vinoba Bhave’s Sarvodaya movement. He renounced all self-interest, gave up his land in Sitabdiara, and withdrew from all personal activity to devote the rest of his life to the movement. Prabhavati was delighted at this declaration. Jayaprakash set up an ashram at Hazaribagh, a poor and backward village. He gave Gandhian concepts a new dimension by using modern technology to uplift the village. 

Jayaprakash believed that every village should be like a small republic – politically independent and capable of taking its own ecisions. It was a marriage of Gandhian-Indian concepts and modern Western democracy. His thoughful, well-researched and brilliant book, “The Reconstruction of Indian Polity,” won him the Ramon Magsaysay Award. 

In June 1971, Sarvodaya workers in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, received a letter threatening to kill them. The area was continuously threatened by Naxalites, which was made up of young men. Jayaprakash walked into the heart of Naxal territory armed only with love and sympathy. He knew that the cause of the violence was that the youth were frustrated because of poverty and unemployment. He lived in Musahari block for many months and experimented to alleviate the problems of the Naxals. Jayaprakash was also a key person in acquiring the surrender of dacoits in the Chambal Valley. 

On April 15, 1973, Prabhavati died of cancer, leaving Jayaprakash alone. 

1974 ushered in a year of high inflation, unemployment and lack of supplies and essential commodities. Jayaprakash was asked to lead a peaceful agitation by the Navanirman Andolan of Gujarat. On April 8, 1974, at the age of 72, he led a silent procession at Patna. The procession was lathi charged. On June 5, 1974, Jayaprakash addressed a mammoth crowd at Gandhi Maidan in Patna. He declared, “This is a revolution, friends! We are not here merely to see the Vidhan Sabha dissolved. That is only one milestone on our journey. But we have a long way to go… After 27 years of freedom, people of this country are wracked by hunger, rising prices, corruption… oppressed by every kind of injustice… it is a Total Revolution we want, nothing less!” 

On June 12, 1975, the Allahabad High Court held the Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, guilty on charge of corrupt practices in the election. Jayaprakash advised her to resign until her name was cleared by the Supreme Court. Instead, she clamped Emergency on June 26. Jayaprakash was arrested and sent to Chandigarh where he was kept prisoner in a hospital. “My world lies in shambles around me,” he cried. As his health worsened, he was moved to a hospital in Bombay. 

Finally in January 1977, Emergency was lifted. Fresh elections were declared. Under Jayaprakash’s guidance several parties united to form the Janata Party. The party incorporated all of Jayaprakash’s goals in its manifesto. 

Jayaprakash was weak and helpless by that time. He felt his work was done, but he had to sorrowfully witness the collapse of the Janata Party government. Jayaprakash died on October 8, 1979. People hailed him as “Lok Nayak” or leader of the people. Vinoba Bhave said after Jayaprakash’s death that Jayaprakash considered himself only a “Lok-sevak,” or servant of the people.


Betla National Park

Betla National Park-Jharkhand
About:
Situated in the district of Daltonganj, Palamau Sanctuary is spread over an area of 979sq.km. The core area of 232 sq. kms of the sanctuary was declared as Betla National park in September1989. The park occupies the western parts of the Chotanagpur plateau and was constituted in the year 1960 as an extension of the Hazaribagh National park. Palamau has the distinction of being the forest where the world’s first tiger census was enumerated in 1932. The park became one of the earliest 9 tiger reserves in India under ‘Project Tiger’ in 1974.  

The forests of the park have a vast range of vegetation consisting of tropical wet evergreen forests in the lower reaches, mixed (moist & dry) deciduous forests in the middle and temperate alpine forests in the upper reaches including Sal and bamboo as the major components along with a number of medicinal plants. The river Koel and its tributaries run through the northern portion of the park. There are grasslands in the river flowing area. It has waterfalls and hot springs too. Once the seat of Chero kings, there are two historical forts, one of them belonging to the 16th century deep inside the forest. The main sentinel of the old fort is visible high up on the hill with defences in three directions and three main gates.

The diversity of eco-system promotes a wide variety of fauna consisting of elephant, panther, leopard, wild boar, tiger, gaur, sloth bear, sambar, chital, nuntjac, nilgai, langur, mouse deer, monkeys, small Indian civet, mongoose, jackals, porcupine, ant eating pangolin etc. Elephants in large numbers are seen mostly during the monsoons up to the time when water sources begin to dry up in March. Jackal and hyena are common scavengers. Bird-life is rich featuring the hornbill, peafowl, red jungle fowl, black partridge, white necked stork, black ibis, swamp grey, quail, the pied born bill, wagtails, the harial, doves, drongo, the crested serpent-eagle, forest owls, the papiha and other birds usually found in dry deciduous forests. The famous Kamaldah lake attracts several varieties of water birds including the common whistling and cotton teal, the comb duck, snipe and geese. The rhesus monkey and the common languor provide attraction to children visiting the park.
Location info:
Address:Daltonganj,Ranchi,Jarkhand,India
District: Daltonganj
Nearest City: Daltonganj
Best time to visit: October to May
Climate/Weather:
The climate of this region is extreme with the maximum temperature going well over 40°C in summers. In total contrast to this, winters are quite cold with the minimum temperature dipping to 3°C. The monsoon months are from July to mid September.
History:
Betla national park is nestled in the lap of Deccan Plateau which includes 1,026 km² of Palamau Tiger Reserve in the state of Jharkhand. An additional 226 km² was added to the park in 1989 and 63 km² of the Mahuadar wolf sanctuary was added to national park.
Interesting things to do:
Visit the historical monuments that the national park houses. Purana Quila and Naya Quila are important attractions for tourists. Though they are named the Old Fort and the New Fort, they seem to be built around the same time.Enjoy stunning views from the watchtowers and the ground hides that have been recently added to enhance the charm of wildlife spotting in the park.Other attractions that one must visit here include waterfalls and hot springs.Elephant rides into the jungle of Betla are a major draw for tourists visiting here.
Interesting things to Visit:
Fauna:
Large herds of Gaur and Chital are commonly seen. Elephants are present mostly after the monsoons up to the time when water holes begin to dry up in March. Tiger, Panther, Sloth Bear, Wild Bear, Sambhar, Nilgai, Kakar, Mouse Deer are also permanent residents. Large families of langurs are an ever present attraction. Palamu is now one of the nine Tiger Reserves in India under Project Tiger
Mobile range info:
 
How to reach?
Nearest Railway Station:Daltonganj (25 km away) Railway Station
Nearest Airport:Ranchi, situated around 140 km away, is the airport with regular air connections to Delhi, Calcutta, Patna and Lucknow.
Road Transport: Betla is well connected to Daltonganj (25 kms) via Khudia morh (6km), Ranchi (140 kms), Hazaribagh (190 kms), Netarhat (211 kms), Patna (384 kms), Calcutta (575 kms) etc by regular buses run by the state transport corporation and private companies.  
Nearest Visiting places:
Shahpur:
Opposite Daltonganj on the west bank of the Koel is the village SHAHPUR in which Gopal Rai, the Raja of Palamu built a palace in the end of the 18th century. Shahpur stands on a high tract of land and the ruined place, the white temple and the masonry building present a picturesque view from Daltonganj. A nearer view of the palace is disappointing for what looks in the distance like an imposing edifice is seen to be half- finished building of little architectural importance.  

Palamau:
Palamau on the Auranga river , 20 miles south-east of Daltonganj as the crow flies, from which the district takes its name is for historian and archaeologist the most interesting place in the district, for it was for many years the seat of the Chero chiefs and it contains the ruins of the two great forts built by them, the capture of which by Mughals and later by the British resulted in the collapse of the Chero resistance, the forts lie within the reserved forests and in order to preserve them the jungle has to be cut back at intervals .they are a favourite haunt of tigers, whose pug marks may nearly always be seen in and around the fort.The walls which are in preservation are about 5 feet in thickness and those of the old fort bear marks of cannon balls and bullets in many places.

Netarhat:
The plateau of Netarhat in Palamu district is comparatively unknown to the tourists from outside although it is one of the rare beauty spots which is capable of great development. About a century back, it is understood, there was a military camp at Netarhat. The camp had to close down because sufficient good water was not available. It was left to Sir Edward Gait, Lt. Governor of Bihar and Orissa to give a great Importance to the plateau. Sir Edward and after him many of the Bihar and Orissa and later Bihar Governors use to spend a part of the summer exodus at Netarhat . Netarhat although situated in Palamau District is more easily accessible from Ranchi, the summer head quarter of the Old Bihar Govt. it is at a distance of 96 miles from Ranchi, the last 12 miles of which commencing from Banari runs through the hilly section and is typical of any of the other hill stations. There is an excellent all weather road of morum which is capable of widening at some places. The cars can pass conveniently.
plateau:
A plateau, four miles long and two and a half miles broad. It is in the extreme of the district, the highest point of which is 3,800 feet above the sea level. It is in Mahuadanr police station and is 96 miles west of Ranchi across seven hills. This is the highest point on the plateau of Chhotanagpur. Netarhat is a place of peculiar charm which has a laid its spell on many casual visitors. The stillness of the jungle and the cool and refreshing air brings relief from the dust and heat of the plains. Netarhat has a game sanctuary amidst pine forest the bestow singular arboreal interest in this part. Some time back it used to be the permanent summer station of the Governor.

Palamau National Park:
Palamau is one of the popular national parks of India. Palamau is situated within the lndo-Malayan realm and is rich in flora and fauna, though the area is prone to severe droughts. There are 107 villages in the buffer area and three in the core with a human population of 65,000 and a livestock population of 45,000. The core is distributed into two parts, the actual core and the recently inducted ‘satellite core’. The park was brought under Project Tiger in 1973 and is among the first nine Tiger Reserves of the country. The core area was declared a National Park in September 1989.

Hazaribagh:
The Hazaribagh National Park is one of the most significant wildlife sanctuaries in Jharkhand. The sanctuary is located at a height of about 615 meters on a low-altitude hilly region of the state. The Hazaribagh National Park in Jharkhand spans across a huge region.This national park covers a total area of 184 square kms. The Hazaribagh National Park has a tropical type of climate, where it is quite cold during winter and quite hot during summer.
Nearest Petrol Pump:
Ambalal Patel Petrol Pump:GARHWA,Jharkhand,India,ph:06561 222270
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:
Hotel Van Vihar:Betla,Palamu,Jharkhand,india
Things to carry:
 
Tips & Suggestions:
 
Help Line/Phone Number:
Police Station:100
Nearest Hospital:Government Hospital:Garhwa,Jharkhand,India
Society/Community Phone Number:
Link:

Hazaribagh National Park

Hazaribagh National Park-Jharkhand
About:
The Hazaribagh National Park is one of the most significant wildlife sanctuaries in Jharkhand. The sanctuary is located at a height of about 615 meters on a low-altitude hilly region of the state. The Hazaribagh National Park in Jharkhand spans across a huge region. This national park covers a total area of 184 square kms. The Hazaribagh National Park has a tropical type of climate, where it is quite cold during winter and quite hot during summer.  

The Hazaribagh National Park at Jharkhand offers a variety of vegetation starting from low-altitude stretches of grassland to thick tropical vegetations. The wildlife sanctuary of Hazaribagh National Park has a wide range of topography from low-lying regions to high hills and rolling regions.

The Hazaribagh National Park has abundant wild animals like the Chital, Nilgai, Panther, Sambar, Sloth Bear, Tiger and Wild Boar. The Cheetal, Kakar, Nilgai, Sambar and Wild Boar are among the most easily and often spotted animals particularly near the waterholes at the time of the dusk. The population of the tigers is very less. According to 1991 Census, there were 14 tigers in the park. The tigers are really difficult to sight.

A 111-km long stretch of the road in the sanctuary takes the tourists to the remotest corners and masonry towers of the park. The road, strategically laid down, offers excellent opportunities for the view of the wild animals. The tribal population also lives around the sanctuary. The ark has many watchtowers that act as the perfect hideouts to see the wildlife in its natural surroundings.
Location info:
Address:Hazaribagh National Park, Koderma,Jarkhanad,India
District: Koderma
Nearest City: Koderma
Best time to visit: October to March
Climate/Weather:
The climate in this region is tropical with hot summers and cold winters. Temperature during the summer months touch a high of 41.1’C and a low of 19.4’C. Winter months are better and the temperature ranges between a maximum and minimum of 19.4’C and 7’C. The monsoon months are July to mid-September.
History:
Eversince the Hazaribagh National Park was developed in 1954, it was known by that name but when the formal listings of the national parks was made by the United Nations, it was not included in it.On 24th June 2007, Deputy Chief Minister of Jharkhand announced that soon Hazaribagh will have an state-of-the-art Elephant Park, if this project materialize it would attract more tourist.
Interesting things to do:
Put off all music and cut off all sound. Don’t frighten animals away. Leave the animals to themselves and just watch them from a distance. Also, put your vehicles light dim because too much may frighten the animals.
Interesting things to Visit:
Fauna:
Sambhar, nilgai, chital and kakar can be seen at dusk and dawn, enjoying at water holes. Sloth bear might be encountered unexpectedly. It is a matter of chance that one sees a tiger or a panther. The last time a Tiger was sighted in the vicinity of the Forest Rest House was in 2006, as reported by the caretaker when the Tiger had killed a prey. I was very lucy to watch a Tiger from a distance of barely 30 feets while on foot; But that was way back in 1989. I still cherish the memory.  

Landscape:
The national park is located on the Chotanagpur plateau. It stretches over 184 sq km of undulating countryside, steep hills and deep drainage channels with thick tropical forests and grass meadows, at an average altitude of 615 meters. There are small rivers and a number of dams have been constructed to form artificial lakes within the park.

Hazaribagh Lake:
The Hazaribagh lake also attracts various tourists. It is a popular picnic spot and place for water sports.

Jilaiya Dam:
This dam, situated across Barakar River is a preferred attraction for the tourists. It is 55 kms away from Hazaribagh. The main road from Bath, on C.T Road passes through the reservoir and the hillock offers a breath-taking sight.

Hazaribagh Hill:
Hazaribagh is the famous hill resort to relax and enjoy the natural scenery. Hazaribagh literally means the land of thousand gardens and is situated at an altitude of 2019 feet above the sea level and set amidst hilly and forests on the opposite side of the Damodar Valley. It has excellent climate and scenic beauties all around it in the midst of dense forest which is quite rich in flora and fauna. Hazaribagh is well known for the Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary. This place attracts tourists from all over the world who come here to visit the sanctuary, waterfalls and dams located in the vicinity. The best season to visit Hazaribagh is from October to April.
Mobile range info:
 
How to reach?
Nearest Railway Station: Koderma railway station , which is 59 km away, or alternately one can approach the park from the Hazaribagh Road railway station (67 km) on the Howrah-Delhi Grand Chord line.
Nearest Airport:Ranchi (91 km) ariport is connected with Calcutta, Patna, Lucknow and Delhi by regular Indian Airlines flights.
Road Transport: Hazaribagh town is connected by road to Ranchi 91 km, Dhanbad 128 km, Gaya 130 km, Patna 235 km, Daltongunj 198 km, and Calcutta (via Asansol-Govindapur-Barhi) 434 km. The Hazaribagh National Park is 19 km from the Hazaribagh town. Regular bus services connect the town with Koderma, Hazaribagh Road railway station, Patna, Gaya, Ranchi, Dhanbad, Daltongunj and other nearby places.Unmetered Taxis, Auto Rickshaws, Cycle Rickshaws and Taxis are available for the park from the Hazaribagh town. The approximate charge for a taxi is Rs. 160 for a two-way journey.
Nearest Visiting places:
Rajarappa Waterfalls:
Rajarappa Waterfalls is situated about 89 km. from Hazaribagh. The Rajarappa Waterfalls is believed to be one of the 51 sacred sites where a part of the body of Sati, the spouse of Lord Shiva fell. In this falls, the Bhera river joins the Damodar river from a height of 20 feet. A temple dedicated to Devi Chinnamasta is situated on the top of the hill. The little waterfall also offers boating facilities which introduces some very spectacular rock formations in this area.  

Tilaiya Dam:
Tilaiya Dam is a small dam that is situated on the Patna-Ranchi road and 55 kms from Hazaribagh. This dam produces only 4000 kw. of power. This was the first dam and hydro-electric power station that was built by the Damodar Valley Corporation for controlling floods across Barakar river in Hazaribagh district. It is 1,200 ft. long and 99 ft. high. It is situated in an ideal surrounding with a reservoir stretching in 36 sq. kms. This dam is mainly visited for its picturesque setting with its hills and reservoir with motor boats, swimming, terrace gardens and deer park.

Canary Hills:
The Canary Hills is located close to the town. The Canary Hills has a well laid out park and studded with three small lakes and an observation tower. From the top of the hill one can have a panoramic view of the town.

Parshnath Temple:
Parshnath Temple is situated at the top of the Parshnath Hill, the highest hill in the Giridih district in Bihar. It is situated about 200 km. from Pawapuri and 8 km. from Giridh. The path to the hill top passes through the Madhuban village from where it is an 11 km. trek. It takes almost a full day to reach the Parshnath Hill and to the temple and to come back. The Parshnath Hill is a famous abode for Jains as about 23 out of 24 Tirthankaras (including Parsvantha) are believed to have attained salvation in the Sammetasikhara of the Parshnath hills. The Parshnath hill is named after the 23rd Tirthankar Parsvanatha and rises steep above the plains of Dhanbad to a height of 1,365 metres. The Prasvantha, 23rd Tirthankar was very popular among tribal population of Chotanagpur. He is identified by the snake king Dharanendra, whose many hoods protect the meditating Tirthankar. Both the Swetamber and Digamber Jains have many beautiful temples here on the hills.

Shahpur:
Opposite Daltonganj on the west bank of the Koel is the village SHAHPUR in which Gopal Rai, the Raja of Palamu built a palace in the end of the 18th century. Shahpur stands on a high tract of land and the ruined place, the white temple and the masonry building present a picturesque view from Daltonganj. A nearer view of the palace is disappointing for what looks in the distance like an imposing edifice is seen to be half-finished building of little architectural importance.

Palamau:
Palamau on the Auranga river , 20 miles south-east of Daltonganj as the crow flies, from which the district takes its name is for historian and archaeologist the most interesting place in the district, for it was for many years the seat of the Chero chiefs and it contains the ruins of the two great forts built by them, the capture of which by Mughals and later by the British resulted in the collapse of the Chero resistance, the forts lie within the reserved forests and in order to preserve them the jungle has to be cut back at intervals .they are a favourite haunt of tigers, whose pug marks may nearly always be seen in and around the fort.The walls which are in preservation are about 5 feet in thickness and those of the old fort bear marks of cannon balls and bullets in many places.

Netarhat:
The plateau of Netarhat in Palamu district is comparatively unknown to the tourists from outside although it is one of the rare beauty spots which is capable of great development. About a century back, it is understood, there was a military camp at Netarhat. The camp had to close down because sufficient good water was not available. It was left to Sir Edward Gait, Lt. Governor of Bihar and Orissa to give a great Importance to the plateau. Sir Edward and after him many of the Bihar and Orissa and later Bihar Governors use to spend a part of the summer exodus at Netarhat. Netarhat although situated in Palamau District is more easily accessible from Ranchi, the summer headquarter of the Old Bihar Govt. it is at a distance of 96 miles from Ranchi, the last 12 miles of which commencing from Banari runs through the hilly section and is typical of any of the other hill stations. There is an excellent all-weather road of morum which is capable of widening at some places. The cars can pass conveniently.
plateau:
A plateau, four miles long and two and a half miles broad. It is in the extreme of the district, the highest point of which is 3,800 feet above the sea level. It is in Mahuadanr police station and is 96 miles west of Ranchi across seven hills. This is the highest point on the plateau of Chhotanagpur. Netarhat is a place of peculiar charm which has a laid its spell on many casual visitors. The stillness of the jungle and the cool and refreshing air brings relief from the dust and heat of the plains. Netarhat has a game sanctuary amidst pine forest the bestow singular arboreal interest in this part. Some time back it used to be the permanent summer station of the Governor.

Palamau National Park:
Palamau is one of the popular national parks of India. Palamau is situated within the lndo-Malayan realm and is rich in flora and fauna, though the area is prone to severe droughts. There are 107 villages in the buffer area and three in the core with a human population of 65,000 and a livestock population of 45,000. The core is distributed into two parts, the actual core and the recently inducted ‘satellite core’. The park was brought under Project Tiger in 1973 and is among the first nine Tiger Reserves of the country. The core area was declared a National Park in September 1989.

Betla National Park:
Situated in the district of Daltonganj, Palamau Sanctuary is spread over an area of 979sq.km. The core area of 232 sq. kms of the sanctuary was declared as Betla National park in September1989. The park occupies the western parts of the Chotanagpur plateau and was constituted in the year 1960 as an extension of the Hazaribagh National park. Palamau has the distinction of being the forest where the world’s first tiger census was enumerated in 1932. The park became one of the earliest 9 tiger reserves in India under ‘Project Tiger’ in 1974.
Nearest Petrol Pump:
Lakshmi petrol pump:NH 100,Hazaribagh,Jharkhand,India  
Koltex petrol pump:NH 100,Hazaribagh,Jharkhand,India
Ramnagar Petrol pump:Road No 4,Hazaribag,Jharkhand,India
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:
Lotus Nikko Bodhgaya Hotel:Bodhgaya,Gaya,Bihar,India  
Hotels Bodh Gaya:Bodhgaya,Gaya,Bihar,India
Things to carry:
 
Tips & Suggestions:
 
Help Line/Phone Number:
Police Station:100
Nearest Hospital:
Holy Family HospitalL::Koderma,Jharkhand,India
Sadar Hospital Hazaribagh:NH 100,Hazaribag,Jharkhand,India
Society/Community Phone Number:
Link: