The coolness of kakolat

The coolness of kakolat  

 By: Amir Raza

In the scorching summer of Bihar, there is a cool place called kakolat hill. The panoramic waterfall here not only chills out the visitors but also convey them the great historical and mythological significance of the place.

Situated near Govindpur some 33 km from Nawada, on the Ranchi road in Bihar, Kakolat Waterfalls has a Natural reservoir near the falls. Here water cascades down from a height of 150 to 160 feet.  Surrounded by mountain hills and green forests it has a calm and serene atmosphere. This makes the visitors to enjoy it fully. This also makes it a favorite tourists’ spot. The cold water falling into the natural reservoir makes the spot ideal for water sports including swimming and playing water ball. One can enjoy mountain climbing and trekking in the forest also. Patna is Nearest Airport to reach kakolat hills.

During Bishua or chait Sankranti, a big fair is held here. Many devotees take their bath in the waterfall during this three day fair.

The mythology about it is that during the Treta Yuga epoch a king was cursed by a rishi and had to take the shape of a python and lived in Kakolat. The place was visited by the great Pandavas during their exile and the accursed king got salvation from damnation. The king after getting rid of the curse proclaimed that one who would bath in the waterfall will not take the yoni of snake and that is why a large number of people from far and near bathe in the falls.

This popular tourist spot has earned Bihar recognition with ministry of postal government of India even brought out a stamp of kakolat water fall in 2003.

Unfortunately the panoramic Kakolat waterfall which has great historical and mythological significance is no more attracting the tourists as it used to do in past. The government apathy towards the tourist places in state and lack of information among the new generation about the importance of the area are the main reason for declining number of the visitors.

“ Pahle yahan bahut tourista aate the lekin yeh silsila bahut ikam ho gaya. Naye logon ko iske bare men pata hi nahi hai” (Earlier a lot of tourists used to come here every year but now the number is declining fast) says Shmasher Alam a resident of nearby Govindpur. Similar sentiment were echoed by a number of the people of the area.

However a young lady from Patna  Rima kumari says " We would like to come here again. We enjoyed the cool shower here and forget the world for some time”.

It has to be seen how Bihar government popularize and make the way easy for those who want to take a cool shower at this waterfall.