Teams from the Saraswati Board and HIRD visit Nilokheri to plan the development of the Drishadvati Ghat

Nilokheri, June 13, 2026: The Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board, currently engaged in the mission to revive the ancient Saraswati River, will now also work towards the conservation and enhancement of the remains of the Drishadvati—a river described in scriptures as a major tributary of the Saraswati.
At the invitation of the Haryana Institute of Rural Development (HIRD), Dhuman Singh Kirmach, Vice-Chairman of the Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board, accompanied HIRD Director Dr. Virender Singh Chauhan to visit various sites along the Chautang (Chatang/Chetang) River, which is considered the modern-day manifestation of the ancient Drishadvati. Originating in the Himalayan region, this seasonal river flows through the Nilokheri, Taraori, and Nissing areas of Karnal district. During the visit, they inspected a site in Kalsi village (Indri area) known in local tradition as the confluence point of the Rakshi and Drishadvati rivers.
Following the inspection, Dhuman Singh Kirmach and Dr. Virender Singh Chauhan stated that the seasonal stream—known variously as Chautang, Chatang, or Chetang in rural folklore and historical references—appears to be the remnant of the ancient Drishadvati River. They revealed that a proposal is being drafted to comprehensively rejuvenate the section of the Chautang River passing through Nilokheri town and develop it into a 'Drishadvati Ghat.' This project aims not only to preserve the region's historical and cultural heritage but also to establish the site as a significant hub for tourism and public awareness.
Dhuman Singh Kirmach and Dr. Virender Singh Chauhan noted that this initiative could be executed through the collaborative efforts of the Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board, the Nilokheri Municipal Council, and the Irrigation Department. Preliminary discussions regarding this matter have already been held with Nilokheri MLA Bhagwandas Kabirpanthi, who has expressed positive support for the proposal.
He expressed confidence that the conservation of historical rivers like the Drishadvati, alongside the Saraswati, would give a new identity to Haryana's Vedic and cultural heritage and enable future generations to connect with their glorious past.