Chhattisgarh Tourism

The rainforests of Chhattisgarh are considered to be the densest forests outside the Amazon and are home to some spectacular animals like the water buffalos, tigers, leopards, antelopes and many birds. The diverse terrain including rainforests, grasslands, wetlands and deciduous forests makes it home to animals living in all types of ecosystems. The government has constructed some lodges and resorts near the forest reserves to encourage tourism, and they offer attractive deals. Achanakmar, Sitanadi and Bhairamgarh wildlife sanctuaries are among the most popular in Chattisgarh.

Though the state of Chhattisgarh is comparatively new, the region has a centuries-long history, and its buildings are a trove of ancient architectural styles. The temples of Chhattisgarh include Ram Tekri, Swastik Vihar, Gandheswar Temple, Laxman Temple and Shivani Temple and most show a mixture of Central and South Indian styles of architectures. There are also some caves, some of which like Kotumsar cave, Kailash Gufa and Singhanpur cave have prehistoric paintings and art. Kawardha Palace and Ratanpur fort offer glimpses of Chattisgarh's imperial past and are located in scenic spots that are a favourite with those looking to unfold the history of the region.

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.

Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, is the most visited town in the state. Replete with plenty of historical sites as well as lakes, museums and parks, the capital of the state is well-maintained with wide roads and friendly locals who beckon travellers all year round.

The most crucial tourist attraction in Raipur is the Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum, which was built in the 1800s by Raja Mahant Ghasidas, and is now a repository of the rich archaeological and cultural history of the state. Other must-visit places in the city include the Purkhauti Muktangan Museum, the Rajiv Smriti Van and Urja Park, and the Vivekananda Sarovar.

The Purkhauti Muktangan Museum is a museum-cum-park which has on display various handicrafts and artefacts collected from the ancient tribes living in the area.

The Vivekananda Sarovar gets its name from Swami Vivekananda, who was said to have lived very close to the lake whenever he visited Raipur, thus giving birth to the title. Boasting a gigantic statue of Swami Vivekananda right in the middle of the lake, this place draws tourists and locals alike to spend a lazy evening by the lake, or even go for a boat ride amidst the crystalline waters of the Sarovar.

Another famous temple in Chhattisgarh that is a must-visit is the Bhoramdeo Temple in Bhoramdeo. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is often referred to as the Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh and is an outstanding work of exquisite architecture and construction. Built in the 7th century, the temple features erotic sculptures on its façade, akin to the Khajuraho Temples in Madhya Pradesh.

Chhattisgarh is blessed with naturally scintillating waterfalls, with the most popular among them being the Chitrakote Waterfalls. Nicknamed the ?Niagara Falls of India?, the Chitrakote Waterfalls holds the record for being the widest waterfall in India and has been classified as a prominent geo-heritage site.

Maize, wheat and jowar constitute the staple food along with the unique recipe called Bafauri which is prepared with chana dals. Chattisgarh has an abundance of fruits that are gifted by the forests here. The tribal people's central cuisine include Rakhia Badi and petha that are prepared during essential festivals. The state has many mouth-watering desserts to offer like jalebis, rakhia badi and petha. The region is known for its tangy recipes and tasty sweets. Among these Jalebi is the most essential sweet dish of Chhattisgarh, prepared in almost every household of the state. It is common here to end a meal with jalebi as dessert. The food here is made by rice, rice flour, curd, variety of leaves like lal bhaji,chech bhaji,kohda,bohar bhaji, etc

The early history of Chhattisgarh region is known only through cave paintings and architectural remains, but some of the written documents state that from the 14th century onwards, this region was under the control of the Mughals. It was later taken over by the Marathas in the 18th century and most forts that stand today date back to this period. It is during Maratha rule that the name 'Chhattisgarh' was coined, literally meaning the land of thirty-six forts.

In the 19th century, it was annexed by the British and became a part of the Central Provinces. Leaders from this region were active during the revolt of 1857 and rallied the tribals against the oppressive forest policy of the British. After independence, Chhattisgarh was merged with Madhya Pradesh and granted statehood in 2000, when it became the 26th state of India.

The landlocked state of Assam is located in the central part of India and borders seven other countries. It has a varied topography with plateaus towards the northern and southern edges and a fertile plain in the central region. Some of the Southern tributaries of the Ganga like Rihand River and almost all of the Mahanadi basin falls within the boundaries of this state.

About 44% of the land area is covered by deciduous forests and hosts unspoilt wildlife. The state also has some beautiful waterfalls, rivers and mountains that make it an attractive tourist destination. Raipur is the capital of this state and Bijapur, Bilaspur, Bhilai and Jagdalpur are the other main cities.