Chhattisgarh : "Full of Surprises"
Chattisgarh, renowned for its scenic diversity and its cultural and traditional history, is slowly growing into one of India?s most popular holiday destinations. The oldest tribes of India dwell here, some of them for almost 10,000 years. A blend of culture, arts and religion of the local and tribal people, Chattisgarh exhibits the instance of ancient India. Still in its nascent stage though, Chhattisgarh is one of those off-the-beaten-track tourist spots in India that are slowly gaining more popularity through word-of-mouth. Home to plenty of gushing waterfalls, ancient temples and monuments, dense forests, a veritable sprinkling of flora and fauna, and a culture that is still reminiscent of the age-old history and traditions of the state, Chhattisgarh has everything you could be looking for in an ideal tourist spot where you can make memories that will last you a lifetime.
Many of the caves and monuments present in Chattisgarh depict the sheer talent once possessed by the local architects and artisans. The lush green forests are idle sites for tourists to indulge in trekking and safaris and to absorb the ambience of various plant and animal species. The greenery and the waterfalls among the hilly regions of the state is a scene all admire. The Kailash cave located into the thick woods around Tiratgarh waterfalls is evidence of Chattisgarh's history.
Like the forested North-Eastern region of India, the central plateaus and forests are home to a large number of tribes. There are over 25 recognised tribes in Chhattisgarh, and they each have their distinct cultural and linguistic traditions. The Gond, Baiga, Munda and Muriya tribes are some of the dominant groups in the state. The anthropological museum located in Bastar gives a detailed history of the cultures and lifestyle of the tribes of Chhattisgarh and is a must visit for those looking to explore the culture of the state. The distinctive dressing style, dialects and dances differentiate the tribes, but they are united by the geographical proximity and shared cultural practices.
Jagdalpur
Jagdalpur is a beautiful and naturally bountiful city in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state after Raipur and Bhilai. It is well connected to the state capital and to other nearby cities and is relatively unknown among tourists outside the state.
Jagdalpur has a rich history of political activism and has developed a very rich culture over time. Today, it is most famous for the monuments and palaces in the city as well as the natural wonders like lakes, waterfalls and forests that are still untouched by tourist activity. Jagdalpur so one of the emerging destinations that is being aggressively promoted by the state tourism department and so all the necessary facilities are available to the tourists through the efforts of the government. It is also well connected to Raipur, the state capital and other cities in the region. If you want to explore the rich cultural traditions and history of Chhattisgarh but don't want to be disturbed by the crowds of Raipur, Jagdalpur is the perfect place for you.
Raipur
The capital of Chhattisgarh, Raipur is the largest city in the state. With more than hundreds of steel mills and six steel plants, Raipur is also one of the largest industrial centres of the country. Besides steel, it is also home to the aluminium and coal industries. A primary business and industrial hub, Raipur is even fast emerging in the tourism sector, attracting tourists from across the world. The city is known for its temples, lakes, factories, educational centres as well as the development of Naya Raipur. Naya Raipur is a newly planned city and is about 17km away from the current town. The Swami Vivekananda Airport lies in between Raipur and Naya Raipur facilitating travel.
Raipur has a rich history and until 2000 was a part of Madhya Pradesh. After the formation of the new state of Chhattisgarh, Raipur was made its capital, primarily because of its centralised location. Located in the centre of the plains that are also called the ‘rice bowl of India’, Raipur is surrounded by the districts of Durg and Bemetara. The city is a bustling capital city with a multicultural and multi-religious society. With many festivals, shopping outlets and city landscapes Raipur is also an excellent base for venturing into the surrounding attractions. These include the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary, Dandak Caves, Bilaspur, Chitrakoot Falls, Amarkantak, Bhilai, Kanha National Park and the Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary.
Visit Raipur to explore its various natural, wildlife and historical tourist attractions. Chhattisgarh is mostly a forested region. Raipur understands the importance of maintaining its ecological balance, and there is a government proposal under works to construct a micro-forest in the heart of the city. Raipur is also about its various festivals, such as Hareli, Champaran Mela, Pola and Teeja that are celebrated during monsoons. And no city in India is complete without a taste of its unique flavours. Raipur is no different offering its many fascinating cuisines and street food that are an integral part of the city’s cultural and social layout.
Bhilai
A culturally profound city, Bhilai is a planned city situated in Durg District, 25 km from capital city Raipur. The city is mainly known for Bhilai Steel Plant (SAIL), one of the largest steel plants in India. The city is a fascinating fusion of people of different religion and languages giving the city an essence of unity and oneness.
Once posed as a small village, Bhilai saw a drastic development with the establishment of second steel plant of India in the year 1955. Developed with the assistance of Russian Government, today this city is economically well off and culturally very rich. Also an educational hub, Bhilai is one of those cities that exhibit a perfect balance between industrialization and prosperous nature. Dotted with several tourists attractions and pleasant weather during winters, this beautiful city is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Bhilai is a planned and organized community which has won Prime Minister's Trophy for more than five times for its lush green environment.
Dhamtari
Home to the Chalukya empire of the 14th Century, Dhamtari is an important tourist town of Chattisgarh, also known for its temples. The town has a population of around 82000. It attracts a lot of tourists every year, particularly during the monsoon seasons to the Ravishankar Water Dam.It is also famous for its folk culture and wildlife sanctuary.
Dhamtari is located along the banks of Mahanadi and its tributaries Pairy, Sendur, Sondur, Joan, Kharun and Shivnath. Paddy cultivation is common in these lands. The district still preserves its tribal history and culture in tribal hamlets and different traditional art forms like music, local cuisines and dance.
Dantewada
Dantewada recently came into being, in 1998, after the formation of Chattisgarh from Madhya Pradesh. Situated in the Bastar district, the quaint little town of Dantewada offers a panoramic landscape view of gushing rivers, sparkling waterfalls, mighty hill peaks and lush green meadows.
Historically, the town was named after the deity Danteshwari, an incarnate of Shakti, who later came to preside the Danteshwar temple. Dantewada was known as Tarlapal and Dantawali in pre-historical days. The town also houses recently developed stretch of Rowghat mines. However, currently, the area is affected by Naxalism and a well-versed research is advisable before heading out in the area.
Dantewada offers you all natural elements from hills mountains to rivers and hence creating complete sceneries. It also houses recently developed stretch of Rowghat mines. However, this area is affected by Naxalism and it is advisable to research properly about the recent events before heading out to Dantewada.