Ramgarh: Patratu Lake Resort, one of Jharkhand’s busiest weekend getaways, is set to offer tourists a vivid cultural experience alongside its well-known views of hills, forests and the Patratu Dam reservoir.Visitors reaching the resort through the winding highway in Ramgarh’s Patratu Valley will soon see traditional Sohrai paintings on the valley’s retaining walls. The initiative is expected to add a striking visual identity to the curved ghat road and make the journey to the lake resort more memorable for tourists from Ranchi, Ramgarh, Hazaribag and other parts of the state.Ramgarh deputy commissioner (DC) Rituraj said the state tourism department plans to decorate the walls of Patratu Valley with traditional Sohrai art, which has received a GI tag. He said the proposal is at an initial stage and is being assessed.Sohrai painting is an ancient tribal mural art of Jharkhand, traditionally created by tribal women during the Sohrai festival. Made with natural colours and mud, the art depicts animals, birds, trees and geometric patterns symbolising nature, fertility and prosperity. The art form received the Geographical Indication tag in 2020, recognising its cultural significance.Officials said the colourful paintings along the jalebi-like roads of Patratu Valley will blend adventure with culture. The project is also aimed at promoting rural art and generating employment for local artists and women’s groups. Under the ‘Mera Ramgarh, Meri Pehchan’ campaign, local Sohrai artists will be engaged to paint the valley walls.Patratu Lake Resort currently offers boating, water sports, lake-view cottages, hotels with swimming pools, a musical fountain, a floating restaurant and panoramic valley views. After the monsoon, the hills turn greener and waterfalls become active, drawing thousands of visitors.With Sohrai art adding colour to the route, Patratu is expected to emerge as a destination where nature, art and tourism come together, strengthening Jharkhand’s tourism identity.
