VISHVENDU JAIPURIAR
Hazaribag, March 2: The construction of a biodiversity park started on the foothills of the famous Kauleshwari hill in Huntergunj of Chatra district with a plan to renovate a pond and to start a boating facility for visitors.
Pahad, which is a confluence of three religions namely Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism, is situated 22 km away from the Chatra district headquarters.
Sources said Rs six crore plan was approved for a biodiversity park and renovation of the pond with a boating facility.
The Divisional forest officer (DFO) Rahul Kumar Meena, who monitored the ongoing work on Wednesday, said the biodiversity park will come up on 60 acres of land on the foothills of the pahad.
Even the park will have benches and swings for children. He said the plan is to construct watch towers also.
Meena said those coming to the park can see the rare varieties of herbs here. He said this project will woo visitors as well as generate employment for local people.
Sources said this 1575 feet high hill is having an ancient temple of the goddess which documents said was made by King Virat.
It is even said that Ram, Sita and Lakshman came to the place. The story related to the visit of Pandavas is also heard here.
As Gautam Buddha passed time on this hill shaving off his hair, Buddhists coming here from Japan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan and other countries come here to donate their hair and nails for moksha.
On top of this hill, there is a pond and the temple of Shiva. The pond is a matter of surprise for all. Devotees take a dip in the pond and then offer water on the shivling.
There are many temples of Buddhism and Jainism. From December, tourists start visiting the hill every year which continues for two months.
