Discover Hazaribagh

In Hazaribagh, artificial lakes, an extensive wildlife sanctuary and distinctive artistic and cultural traditions come together. Nearby excursion destinations include Konar Dam and Chandro Waterfall. This raises a practical question as you plan your trip: should wildlife watching and water be the main focus, or would you also like to explore the region’s culture and more distant destinations?

Lakes, reservoir and waterscapes

Hazaribag Lake consists of seven artificial lakes arranged at different levels. The third lake is also the largest. At its far end, you can enjoy the best views of the sunrise and sunset. There is also a boating facility at Hazaribag Lake. If you want to make your time by the water the focus of your stay, you’ll find several distinct attractions here: the complex of seven lakes, the viewpoint at the largest lake and the opportunity to go boating.

Konar Dam also shapes the region’s nature experiences. Built on the Konar River, it is a reservoir with views of the surrounding landscape. In winter, migratory birds visit the area around Baudha Dam; the dam also draws thousands of people for picnics. At Chandro Waterfall, the Konar River plunges down in a forested area surrounded by mountains and streams. The waterfall is 40 km from the city.

Wildlife watching in the sanctuary

Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary covers 186.25 km². Three accessible entrances lead into the protected area: Pokhariya Gate, Salparni Gate and Bahimar Gate. In summer, visitors can sit on towers at waterholes and watch the animals that come to drink. This offers a different experience from the views of the landscape at Konar Dam: here, the focus is on watching animals at the waterholes.

Sitagarha Hill is another place to observe endangered vultures. The species mentioned there include Gyps bengalensis, the Egyptian vulture, the Indian vulture and the Himalayan griffon vulture. If you’re interested in wildlife, you can include this special focus in your travel plans alongside the sanctuary.

Art, history and living traditions

Bahoranpur is an important site in Hazaribagh’s cultural history: following an investigation, the Archaeological Survey of India classified it as a significant Buddhist site. Excavations uncovered pottery, clay pipes and stone idols, which point to early human settlement. These finds and the site’s classification provide different historical perspectives.

Khovar is the wedding art of the tribal communities and partly Hinduized tribes living in Hazaribagh’s mountain villages. Sohrai, in turn, is a winter harvest art of the Hazaribag region. Folk music and dances are also part of Hazaribagh’s tribal culture and continue to be performed by local people at particular times of the year and on auspicious occasions. Khovar, Sohrai and music thus represent different forms of regional tradition.

Excursions and guidance for finding accommodation

Surajkund is 72 km from Hazaribag, on GT Road in the Barkaththa Block. It has two hot springs and one cold spring; the water is said to have therapeutic properties because of its high sulphur content. Surajkund comprises five pools: Surya Kund, Lakshman Kund, Brahm Kund, Ram Kund and Sita Kund. A large festival takes place there every year at the spring equinox.

Direct bus services from Hazaribagh bus station run to Ranchi, Kolkata, Dhanbad, Patna, Jamshedpur, Deogarh and Gaya. The different travel interests and the distances specified here can help guide your holiday rental search: consider whether your stay will focus mainly on the lakes, the sanctuary and cultural sites, or whether destinations such as Surajkund and Chandro Waterfall, 40 km from the city, will also feature in your plans.

Explore further

For the place with the same name: Hazaribagh. Other destinations at the same level: Deoghar, Palamu, Pakur, Bokaro, Giridih, Chatra and Ramgarh.

For the wider travel overview: Jharkhand.