Nomad Saikat
The state of Jharkhand is already popular for its nature and natural beauty. And one such picturesque spot that you can visit here is the Maithon Dam Dhanbad. Located on the border of Jharkhand and West Bengal this is one of the popular sightseeing spots and a picnic spot as well. The main attraction of this location is however the beauty of this location and the tranquil ambiance. You cannot understand how serene the location is just by looking at the Maithon Dam photos. You definitely need to visit here in person. Keep on reading this article as I will mention everything that you probably need to know about Maithon Dam. This will be a helpful read for you if you are planning a trip to Dhanbad soon.
Maithon Dam Dhanbad
Location: Dhanbad District, Maithon, Jharkhand
How to reach
By air
If you are travelling by air then the nearest airport to reach the dam is the Ranchi Airport which is 197 km away from the airport. It would take around 5 hours to reach there from the airport. You will have to take a cab or you can hire a car to reach the dam from there.
By train
The nearest railway station to reach Maithon Dam is the Kumardubi Railway Station in Jharkhand. Maithon Dam distance from the railway station is 4.7 km and you can reach there in about 14 minutes. You can opt for any local transport to reach Maithon Dam Dhanbad from the station.
By road
You can travel by road from any nearby locations to reach the dam. From Dhanbad the dam is 42.4 km away and you can reach there in an hour. There are buses from Asansol and Durgapur that you can opt for to reach here. Asansol to Maithon Dam distance is about 23.4 km and you can reach there in 35 minutes. From Durgapur the distance of the Maithon Dam is 63.2 km and you can reach there in about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
You can get buses from Bardhaman as well and the distance is 132 km. It would take 2 hours and 40 minutes to reach there from Bardhaman. From Bolpur the distance of Maithon dam is 118 km and you can reach there in about 2 and a half hours. You can however travel from Kolkata by bus as well to reach there in about 5 hours. The distance is about 233 km from Kolkata.
Similarly you can also drive your own vehicle as well from various locations to reach Maithon Dam Dhanbad as well. You can opt for travelling through the highways and the location is well connected through roadways. So reaching there by road would not be a hassle.
Best time to visit
The ideal time to visit a location like this would always be the winter months as the temperature during that time is most favourable. Also the weather during the months from October to March is the most favourable with average temperature around 20 degrees. So that would ideally be the best time to visit here. If the weather is pleasant then you would be able to explore the whole area better. You can also visit here during monsoon even though that is a little uncomfortable weather wise. But if you wish to explore the location with fewer crowds then you can opt for visiting during monsoon as well.
Try to avoid visiting here during peak summer months from April to June. The temperature goes above 40 degrees during summer and it would be too uncomfortable, humid and sultry for any sort of tourist activities there. So plan your visit accordingly.
Overview of Maithon Dam
Located on the banks of the river Barakar the Maithon Dam Dhanbad is a picturesque location. However the location is not only beautiful but resourceful as well. It is one of the popular sightseeing spots in the area as well and a lot of visitors love visiting here. 48 km away from the city of Dhanbad the Maithon Dam is a project of the Damodar Valley Corporation. Because of the natural beauty of this location and the serene ambiance this is a nature lover’s paradise. For people who love being amidst nature would love visiting this location for sure. Also this is one of a kind of a dam as it also has an underground power station. The fact that makes the Maithon Dam special is that the underground power station is a unique thing in the whole of Southeast Asia.
However the Maithon Hydel Power Station is located in Jharkhand on the bank of the Barakar River. There is the confluence with Damodar near the border of Dhanbad and the Burdwan district of West Bengal. The dam was originally constructed to tackle issues like flood control, water supply for irrigation purposes, domestic and industrial use of water, navigation and drainage. Other than that it also facilitates the generation, distribution and transmission of the electronic energy as well. If you are visiting here you must visit the Maithon Dam picnic spot and spend some time amidst nature.
History of Maithon Dam
According to popular beliefs the location of Maithon is the place where Maa Kalyaneshwari resides. Hence from there the name became Mai ka Sthan or Maithon. Located 48 km away from Dhanbad, this dam is situated on the banks of the Barakar River. Moreover the river spreads for 65 sq km. On it the dam has an area of 15,712 feet in length and 165 feet in height. In the whole of DVC this dam has the largest reservoir and it can generate 60,000 kw of electric power. During the course of the 2nd World War in 1942 there was a massive flood. Furthermore this flood occurred in the Damodar Valley region that completely cut off Kolkata (then Calcutta) from the rest of the areas for over 10 weeks.
Because of this the government soon took action and called civil engineer Mr. W. L. Voord who designed the dam by 1945. And finally the first ever dam of independent India came into being in 1953, 7th July in Tilaiya. Later in 1955, 1957 and 1959 the dams of Soon Konar, Maithon and Panchet also came into existence.
Things to do in Maithon Dam
Boating
This is one of the most popular activities when you are visiting the Maithon Dam Dhanbad. The whole area around is serene and peaceful and you can enjoy boating in this tranquility here. There are options of paddle boating as well as hi speed boating. Boating is by far the best activity here to enjoy the full stretch of this beautiful dam.
Fitness
This is the ideal place for some good old running and jogging because the area is so green and you can get so much fresh air here. Also you can perform yoga or meditation here as well and take some time out to enjoy this serenity. In that case try to visit here during the off season so that you can have the place less crowded.
Sunsets and sunrises
This is one of the best locations if you want to witness the pristine sunrises and sunsets. The scenic beauty of this location also elevates a few notches higher with the sunrises and sunsets. When the colour of the sky changes, you will be able to witness the beauty of this location. So make sure you are witnessing at least one of the sunrise or the sunset here.
Attractions near Maithon Dam
Maithon Hydel Power Plant
This is like an engineering marvel and one of a kind of power plant that you need to visit here. The most attractive thing about the power plant is that it is the first underground power plant in Asia as well. Located below two hills this is a unique project in itself. However entry for the general public is restricted here. Only if you can use some powerful contacts will you be able to visit this site here, which is worth mentioning.
Deer Park
The Deer Park located near Maithon Dam Dhanbad is a popular sightseeing spot here. If you are a nature and animal lover then you would love your visit here. Moreover, you can witness a great number of deer here. You will have to visit this location in person to witness the beauty here. Also you need to keep in mind that they do not allow photography here.
Chammach Pahad
This is a beautiful place where you will have to reach by boat. Basically this is an island which resembles the shape of an inverted spoon. From that the location got its name as the Chammach Pahad.
Kalyaneshwari Temple
This is a really powerful temple in this area. Moreover, the temple holds a lot of importance for women who visit here praying for a child. It is a 100 year old temple and the ambience looks beautiful.
Wrapping Up!
The Maithon Dam Dhanbad is not just popular for its beauty but also for its functionality. This one of a kind of a dam is one of the most important sources of water and power as well. So you surely need to visit here in person to know more about Maithon Dam. Let me know if this article on Maithon Dam Dhanbad is helpful for you in planning a trip to this beautiful location.
