The short answer
Konar Dam: what visitors should know first
Go for a scenic drive and a quiet picnic, ideally in winter. It is a modest outing, worth it if you have a car and half a day, but not a stand-alone reason to come to Hazaribagh.
History and context
The story behind Konar Dam
Konar Dam opened on 15 October 1955. It dams the Konar river, a tributary of the Damodar, is 48.77 metres high, and is operated by the Damodar Valley Corporation.
Useful facts
Konar Dam facts at a glance
- Location
- About 41 km south-east of Hazaribagh
- Experience type
- Dam and reservoir picnic
- Built
- Opened 1955
- Operator
- Damodar Valley Corporation
- River
- Konar, a tributary of the Damodar
Why it matters
Why Konar Dam is worth your time
Konar was the second of four multipurpose dams in the first phase of the Damodar Valley project, which was one of independent India's early large river schemes. It opened in 1955, the same year the sanctuary near Hazaribagh was established.
Seeing it gives a different angle on the district: the plateau as an engineered landscape, with reservoirs that supply power and water as well as scenery. It also fits a pattern across the region of reservoirs that reshaped valleys, which makes it a useful stop if you are interested in how modern India built its water and power systems.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The reservoir
A broad sheet of water among low hills.
- 02
A 1955 dam
Part of the first phase of the Damodar Valley scheme.
- 03
Quiet banks
Peaceful for a picnic outside holidays.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Hire a car for the drive out through plateau country. The dam holds back the Konar river, a tributary of the Damodar, and the reservoir is the draw: calm water, a long wall, and quiet banks for a picnic.
It is run by the Damodar Valley Corporation, so access to the dam structure itself may be restricted. Ask at the gate what you can see. Do not fly drones or photograph sensitive installations without permission.
Make it a loop with another stop on the way back, such as a village or the sanctuary side of the district, but do not overpack the day. Roads are slower than distance suggests, and you will want to be back before dark.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Hire a car and confirm road conditions
- Carry food and water
- Ask about access to the dam wall
- Return before dark
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- About 41 km south-east of Hazaribagh
- Time needed
- Half a day with travel
- Best time
- November to February
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The dam area has level ground for short walks, but road travel is long and facilities vary. Take water and food, and a car is almost essential.
- Tickets and access
- No ticket is listed in the sources I opened. Confirm entry and any restrictions locally; access to the dam wall may be controlled.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Konar Dam
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The dam area has level ground for short walks, but road travel is long and facilities vary. Take water and food, and a car is almost essential.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How far is Konar Dam?
About 41 km south-east of Hazaribagh per Wikipedia.
Who built it?
It is a Damodar Valley Corporation dam that opened in 1955.
Is it worth the drive?
As a half-day picnic, yes; as the main reason to visit Hazaribagh, no.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
