Chhattisgarh, India: Nature’s Paradise! This is what one can call Chhattisgarh. The state is one of the major tourist attracted destinations in Central India and is rich with tremendous waterfalls, historical caves and monuments, archaeological sites, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, pilgrim destinations, magnificent temples, and museums. Chhattisgarh is said to have about 44.33% of its land occupied by forests. Thus, the state has a wide variety of flora and fauna and is an attraction for researchers, scientists, wildlife lovers, and tourists all over the world. Apart from these sanctuaries, the state also preserves numerous ancient monuments and archaeological sites that are worth visiting.
Major Cities in Chhattisgarh
Raipur: This city is the capital of Chhattisgarh and is one of the main tourist attracted destinations in this state. Raipur today is a major historical and archaeological destination in India and has several years of old history. According to several findings, this city is said to be in existence since the 2nd and 3rd Centuries AD. The major attractions in this city include Mahant Ghasidas Museum (one of the oldest museums founded in the year 1875), Mahakoshal Kala Parishad (a historic place that possesses arts and paintings), Vivekananda Sarovar (an old lake with 37 feet high statue of Swami Vivekananda), Nandanvan (mini zoo), Nagar Ghadi (clock tower), Rajiv Smriti Van and Urja Park (one gets to see the perfect use of solar energy), and the Shaheed Smarak Bhavan (an auditorium dedicated to freedom fighters). The other major attractions around Raipur include the Kanha National Park, Bhoramdeo Temple, Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary, Dongargarh, Chitrakoot, Indravati National Park, Gangrel Dam, Kager Ghati National Park, and many more.
Bilaspur: According to several myths, the city was founded and named after a fisher-woman named Bilasa. The present city of Bilaspur is said to be under the reign of Bhonsle Rajas of Nagpur until 1853 when it was annexed by the Britishers. The city of Bilaspur is famous for its archaeological as well as religious sites. Some of the major tourist attractions here include Malhar (the major archaeological site that has several ancient temples), Tala (two ancient temples from the fifth century), Ratanpur (the most attractive place with several historical as well as religious monuments), Mahamaya Temple (one of the oldest temples built by the Kalchurian King Ratansen), Ramtek (temple built by Maratha King Bimbaji Bhonsle on a mountain peak), Badal Mahal (an old fort near the temple of Ramtek), and Khuntaghat (a dam worth watching). The other attractions around Bilaspur include Ladagarh, Shivrinarayan, Amarkantak, and Kharaud.
Durg: The city of Durg is a major pilgrim destination for Hindu as well as Jain pilgrims. The city possesses two important religious sites including the Ganga Maiyaa Jhalmala and the Uwasaggaharam Parshwa Teerth. Some of the other major attractions of this city include Bhilai (a famous Iron and Steel Plant that can be seen with prior permission), Maitribagh (zoo and garden built with the cooperation of the India-Russia government), Deobalod (one of the oldest temples dedicated to Lord Shiva), Tandula (dam and a perfect picnic destination), Dhamdha (famous for an old fort and temple), Balod (well known for its old temple), Nagpura (famous for Jain Temples and Pasharwanath Tirth), Kharkhara (dam built on river Kharkhara), and Chandi Mandir.
Bastar: The district of Bastar lies in the southern part of Chhattisgarh and is one of the major tourist attracted places in this state. This district mainly consists of dense forest and is home to several tribes. Thus, the major tourist attractions here include national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, exotic mountains, enchanting waterfalls, and natural caves. Some of the worth visiting places in this district include Kanger Valley National Park (home to panthers, tigers, bears, deer, etc.), Indravati National Park (famous for tigers, flying squirrels, barking deer, etc.), Bairamgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (beautiful landscapes with wildlife including Chitals, various deer species, etc.), Bhainsa Darha (the place has thick bamboo forest and is home of numerous crocodiles and tortoises), Chitrakoot Waterfalls (the crescent moon shaped waterfall is similar to that of Niagra waterfall in the US), Tirathgarh Waterfalls (famous for a waterfall that heights 50 meters and an ancient Shiv-Parvati Temple), Kutumsar Cave (the second longest natural cave in the world that lengths 330 meters), Kailash Cave (200 meters long and famous for natural carvings of Lord Shiva), and the Dandak Cave (200 meters long divided into two compartments).
Must Visit Tourist Destinations in Chhattisgarh
Chitrakote Falls: This is one of the must-visit destinations in the state of Chhattisgarh and is a magnificent waterfall worth seeing. This waterfall is often compared with the great Niagra Falls in the United States because of its crescent moon-shaped structure. This waterfall is formed by the Indravati River and falls from a height of 95 feet and is a real treat for our eyes. The most aggressive view of this waterfall can be seen during the monsoon season. Located in the Bastar District, one can reach here using the rail route from Raipur. The destination is also well connected to several national highways.
Tirthgarh Waterfalls: Often recognized as the “Milky Falls”, this is one of the most visiting destinations in Chhattisgarh. Located in the Bastar District, the Tirthgarh waterfall is formed by the Kanger River. The height of this waterfall is about 299 feet too in a single drop. The huge height of this waterfall actually attracts a huge number of tourists from all over India. One can reach this place taking the rail route from Raipur to Bistar. The place is also well connected to National Highway 212 and one must definitely visit this place to experience utter pleasure and the beautiful scenic beauty of this place.
Kotumsar Caves: These caves are the major attractions in Chhattisgarh as well as India and are well known as the second longest cave in the world. Situated around 40 kilometres from Jagdalpur, the cave is about thirty-five meters below ground level and stretches around 1371 meters. One gets to see a perfect formation of Stalactites and Stalagmites inside this cave. After entering this cave, one needs to pass through a narrow passage that then leads to the main hall that features some of the best acoustics. The cave also possesses several blind wells and five chambers. The Kotumsar caves are closed for tourist visits from June to October (monsoon season) every year.
Indravati National Park: This is one of the worth visiting national parks in the state of Chhattisgarh and is situated in the Bastar District. Situated on the banks of river Indravati, this national park is a combination of the best grasslands and tropical mixed deciduous forests. A huge number of tourists visit this national park every year, as its major attractions include tigers, Jackal, Panther, Hayna, Spotted Deer, Sambhar, Wild bear, Sloth Bean, Blue Bull, Gaur, Wolf, Barking Deer, Black Buck, Hog Deer, Chousingha, and many more. One can reach this destination using the Raipur-Jagdalpur rail route or the Jagdalpur–Bhopalpattanam road.
Kanger Valley National Park: This is another worth visiting national park situated in the Batar District. The Kanger Valley National Park is famous for its picturesque landscape, magnificent waterfalls, and biodiversity. Spread across 200 square kilometres, this national park is home to tigers, leopards, rabbits, cobra, crocodiles, barking deers, jackals, langurs, sloth bear, teeter, spotted owlet, hill myna, steppe eagles, red spur fall, monitor lizards, pythons, striped hyena, flying squirrels, rhesus macaque, wild boar, etc. You can reach the park by taking the rail route from Raipur to Jagdalpur.
Barsoor: This tourist destination is famous for several archaeological sites. Several types of research carried out here specify that Barsoor was an epicentre of Hindu Civilization. It is also believed that this place once had around 147 temples. Several excavations conducted in this area have recovered ruins of temples dating back to the 10th and 11th centuries. Some of the major attractions here include a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva which has twelve beautifully carved stone pillars, another temple with 32 carved pillars, a black granite Nandi (bull), Ganesh temples, Ganesh idols made out of sandstone, and other ruined temples.
The state of Chhattisgarh is full of surprises for all of its tourists and will never let them down in any way. Visiting this state will give you lifetime memories and experiences.