Surha-Tal-Bird-Sanctuary, Ballia (U.P.)

Surha-Tal-Bird-Sanctuary, Ballia

Ballia (Bhojpuri: बलिया, Hindi: बलिया) is a city with a municipal board in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The eastern boundary of the city lies at the junction of the Ganges and the Ghaghara. The city is situated from 141 km from Varanasi. Bhojpuri, a dialect of Hindi, is the primary local language.

Ballia is also known as Baghi Ballia (Rebel Ballia) for its significant contribution in India's freedom struggle. During the first Independence War of India in 1857, Ballia came in picture in front of the world and Shree Mangal Pandey was that first freedom fighter of that war who was born in village Nagwa Ballia district of India. During the Quit India Movement of 1942 Ballia gained independence from British rule for a short period of time when the district overthrew the government and installed an independent administration under Chittu Pandey.

Location	About 17 km from Ballia bus stand, on the road leading to Maniar & 1 km from Maniar, total distance 18 km from Ballia city, 159 km from Varanasi, in district Ballia, U.P., India
Ideal time to visit	Oct.- March
Timings best time	morning & evening
Attractions	Nature & Wildlife
How to reach	By Road-Ballia is well connected by road from Varanasi & other major cities By Rail- Ballia is located on the Railway line of NERBy Air-Babatpur Airport, Varanasi, 179 km

This lake was declared as Bird Sanctuary in 1991, covering an area of about 34.32 km2 and comes under Divisional Forest Officer, Kashi Wildlife Division. Ramnagar Nepali King Surat got the digging work done for the lake. Fishing is the main occupation of the local natives (Mallah-the boatman & Bind).
On one end of this lake a big fountain has been built in the memory of freedom fighters with the efforts of Late Prime Minister Mr. Chandrashekhar. Migratory birds from Siberia, and other colder regions, migrate to this lake to spend their winters here. The Bird Sanctuary is worth watching during that period.