The Ghoda Katora an Unseen Lake

The Ghoda Katora                   
The Discovery of Rajgir,Ghoda Katora          

The First Eco friendly,Unseen Lake,Ghoda Katora.
                              

photo :  Dr.Sunita Sinha.

Recently due to the sincere and regular effort of  Bihar Government the eco friendly lake,the Ghoda Katora has been the prime location of all tourists from different parts of the world.

The setting of  the sun behind the clouds and the slopes of the hills, rushing of the  misty smoke downwardly as insisting on to engross the entire lake silently, after awhile all is lost in the mystery of the unseen world reminding us of the philosophy of our life, a flock of ducks, nature loving wanderers, solitude seeking souls and all who desire to steal the joyous moments from their busy schedule, entire recalling us of an undiscovered heaven lying on the earth that is around Ghoda Katora indeed, adjacent to Rajgir in Nalanda district.

Past : The land of Magadh has been a prime witness of continuing glorious history of itself since very ancient times. The mightiest Mahajanpada had lots of archaeological facts earthed inside, claims the history of ages. Below the hills of Giriyak, nearby the five hills of Rajgir is situated a very important historic site Ghoda Katora.

According to the observations of Archaeological Survey of India it seems that the site had been a joint venue of various ancient civilizations and cultures. Many unearthed parcels of those periods might have been hidden since the Gupta period.
Present : This is a perfect place blessed by the nature too.It is the first ecotourism site in the state with the opening of a two way 15 km green stretch inside the jungles at the foothills of Ratnagiri,105 km from Patna coming in to reality. 

Horse Bowl : Ghoda Katora  (horse bowl) is a small but beautiful picnic spot near Viswa Shanti Stupa,the peace pagoda  amid the green valley of Rajgir,an ancient capital city of mighty king Jarasandh, Bimbisar and Ajatshtru.According to Hindu mythology here, there were the stables of King Jarasand (from the Indian epic Mahabharata), hence the name of this place was a horse bowl.

Beauty around it : Ghoda Katora nestled in a quiet atmosphere offers blissful seclusion, famous not only for the historic facts, but also supposingly claims to be a unique bird sanctuary in coming days due to its surroundings. It would be a visual delight for bird watchers who could experience the flying of rare birds from the different parts of the world all around it.
Ghoda Katora , the most natural beautiful place enclosed by the green hills, still remaining very far away from the maddening crowd and the tourists. The site dots itself as a great attraction point for the tourists with lush green meadows, valleys, hills and even a lake. Adding more fun around the Ghoda Katora in future there would be more adventure sports like paragliding, rock climbing and trekking. For the spirituality and fitness freaks there might be some yoga points likely to be developed as meditation centers at Dhaulagiri ranges, in Dharamshala, Himachal. There has been a plan for making Swiss cottages along the side of lake where one desirous can spend a thrilled night in nature backdrop.
The stretching world of greenery with stones completing silence everywhere soothes us. With the coming of winter the migrant birds, their chirpings echo the valley with the essence and truth of life. Life exists in peace and peace should exist in life necessarily.
The calm lake, at the foothills defines the absolute beauty of nature. Hills seem to be sleeping inversely inside the lake till the cool and gentle breeze strikes its surface. 

Similarties with other lakes. The weathering rocks and rolling stones alone have been experiencing an ode to solitude. The extension of the lake reminds us of the famous lakes as Ooti, Kodaikanal, Mirik, Nani, Dal and  Nakki.
Summer passes usually as the winter comes that marks the coming of birds from the different locations. The migrant birds covering miles and miles arrive here in search of peace, abode and fodder. Their action claims the continuation of the life.

In the lap of the hills the lake remains completely natural and untouched inviting the viewers and tourists to view the untouched beauty.

Surely the discovered land will mark its appearance all over the world, but it needs some basic infrastructure as a good network of road and communication, mode of conveyance and above all safety and security for the visitors. It claims to be an eco-friendly site established for its naturality and congenial environment. Soon the place indeed will be the centre for poets, writers, filmmakers, philosophers and nature loving people.
Noticeably efforts at office level are highly commendable bound to provide all basic amenities to the visitors without disturbing its uniqueness and naturality.Soon we will enjoy the divine, natural beauty of this place with the statue of Lord Budddha. Just after the few days Ghoda Katora will be welcoming the all after the inaugural function of Government. People may enjoy boating at the stretch of the lake in the colorful boats made available by the tourism department at the cost of 40 rupees per person. Tourists may rest for a while in eco-friendly huts made of bamboos and wood nearby the lakes.
How ot reach Ghoda Katora : Yet the unmetalled road from Rajgir Roapway is at progress remaining eight kilometers away from the location connecting the tourists from Rajgir. Surrounded by small hills, this lake looks very beautiful and is an ideal place to roam.We can reach here by horse carriage or own bicycle. We can also enjoy boating here in the lake with floating ducks and other tourists in different available colorful paddle boats . It would be nice if we come here in the morning because after two o'clock in the afternoon, the entry is closed. It is a very comfortable place and we can hear the sound of air and water here.

The tourism officials said that the site would be completely free from pollution. Polythene, plastic bags would not be in use. No motorized vehicles would be permitted inside the area visitors would have to ride either a bicycle or a tonga. The state tourism would offer a tonga ride package and a bicycle ride package at the cost of 100 Rs per person that includes boating in the lake besides the riding.

How to reach Rajgir - Rajgir is well connected by road and rail head through Gaya Patna and Bakhtiyarpu junction from the major cities of India like New Delhi and Kolkata.

The nearby airports are available in Gaya and Patna too.

When to come -  Although the climate and weather favour the outsiders throughout the year but preferably coming between November to March gives the wide ranges to discover the diversities of Rajgir anew.

With a say the way will soon echo the sweetened voice of cyclist and the steps of the trekkers. So the hills of the Rajgir, a 70 feet statue of cool and calm Buddha in the lake call you to realise the real beauty of Rajgir.

email : madhup.raman@gmail.com                                          

Dr Madhup Raman.

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