Hemmed by hills, Maithon dam is a place to loll in the
winter sun, enjoy the boating facilities and click the variety of migratory
birds during this period. The birds throng in the submerged island that sneak a
look up the surface. Though it looks like an densely vegetated island, this is
actually a submerged hill which acts as a temporary shelter to Common coots,
Teals, Wagtails, Pintails etc, and can keep the bird watchers busy all day. The
gushing water from the lock gates on the opposite side can be an awe inspiring
sight. If you can acquire permission from the PRO of DVC, you can visit the
hydel power plant below the dam. It produces 60 mega watt of electricity.
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| Hemmed by hills |
Maithon got its name from Maithan, or the abode of the
goddess Kalyaneswari. It lies in the border of West Bengal
and Jharkhand, upon the Barakar river, a tributary of Damodar. The Barakar River
Those having a religious bent of mind can visit the famous
Kalyaneswari temple, rebuilt by the Panchakot raj 500 years ago. The original
was built by one Maharaj Hari Gupt. The deity is a variety of Goddess Kali,
worshipped as Shakti. It is said that body parts of goddess Parvati fell here.
The devotees are mostly childless women who come to this place to pray for
fertility. Hundreds tie knot to fulfill their wishes. Hundreds come here to
redeem their pledge after achieving their coveted aspirations.
Finally Maithon dam at a full moon night is amazing
STAY
The main place of stay is Maithon tourist lodge (WBTDC, 3/2,
BBD Bag, Kolkata), CPRO of DVC for Mazumder Lodge 033-2355-0647, Forest
Department Bunglow ( 6A, Raja Subodh Mullic square, Kolkata, ph-), Neptune
Holdays-033-40229591).
navigator:
Maithon lies in between Asansol (26km) and Dhandad (52 km).
Numerous express trains like Black Diamond Exp, Coal Field Exp, Shatabdi Exp are
available in this main route. One can hire a car to get to Maithon from each
end. Alternately one can alight at Chittaranjan railway station which is closer
to the dam. Volvo and AC busses are available upto Asansol. The 230 Km journey (from
Kolkata to Maithon) will take 4 hours through the Durgapur Express way by car.
