Chhattisgarh City Tours

The Kawardha town retains the cultural heritage of the state of Chhattisgarh. The tribal communities of Gond and Baiga have their settlements in the region. The tribal culture of the people is reflected in their traditional and orthodox customs and practices. The tribal hamlets are situated in the midst of the forest that lies to the south of the city of Jabalpur. The forest region is not easily accessible. The tour of the tribal hamlets reveals the distinctive culture of the tribes of Chhattisgarh.

At a distance of 18 kilometers from the town of Kawardha lie the Shiva Bhoramdeo Temples. The temples were constructed in the 11th century. The temples bear archaic and artistic illustrations of the deities that are popular in the region. The crafty carvings on the stone columns of the temples are artistic representations of the craftsmanship of the 11th century artisans. Another attractive temple of the 19th century is the Radha Krishna Temple. There are underground rooms constructed and the Ujiyar Sagar is the holy water tank that lies close to the temple.

Jagdalpur

The city of Jagdalpur is an important itinerary of the Chhattisgarh city tours. The city and the town are resplendent in natural beauty and also preserve the heritage of the state. The city and the town is situated in the district of Bastar in Chhattisgah state. The city of Jagdalpur includes the township and the regions of Frijarpur, Dharampura, Sargipal and Hotakachor. The town is surrounded by trees and plantations that moderate the climactic ambiance of the region. The moderate temperature of the region is suitable for the tourists who may visit the region any time during the year. There are several tourist attractions in and around the city. While on a tour of Jagdalpur, the tourists may visit the Kanger Valley National Park. The forest tract is the storehouse of a variety of trees and plants. The caves situated close to the forest tract are carved out of limestone and are frequently visited by the tourists who enjoy the view of the crystal stalactite and stalagmite formations. The tourists may also visit the popular Tirathgarh Falls and the Chitrakote Falls created on the River Indravati. The falls, with the natural beauty of the surroundings, make a delightful picnic spot for the visitors.

Amarkantak

The region of Amarkantak is situated in the state of Chhattisgarh and is renowned for its cultural heritage preserved in the tribal settlements and natural beauty. The hills and the forests of the region are frequently visited by the people of the country. The biosphere reserve of Amarkantak-Achanakmar incorporates a part of this region. Amarkantak is a compulsory part of the itinerary of the Chhattisgarh city tour. The Amarkantak-Achanakmar Biosphere Reserve includes majority of the region of the state of Madhya Pradesh and parts of the district of Bilaspur in the state of Chhattisgarh. After the declaration of the region as a biosphere reserve, the government has engaged in activities to preserve the forest area. The government has made continuous efforts for eco-restoration and introduced schemes of agro-forestry in the biosphere reserve. The forest of Amarkantak is home to a variety of trees and herbs of medicinal value. The forest region is home to the wildlife that comprises of the bison, tiger, barking deer, musk deer and the sambar.

Rajim

Rajim, the city with a rich historical and cultural background, is an indispensable itinerary of the Chhattisgarh city tours. The city is located at a distance of 35 kilometers from the capital city of Raipur on the confluence of the three rivers of Mahanadi, Sondhu and Pairy. The ancient temples that add to the glamour of the city are frequently visited by the tourists from all over the world. The city of Rajim was an administrative and commercial hub of the Mahakoshal region in the state of Chhattisgarh. The city still retains the cultural heritage of the state in the magnificent temples that are situated in the region. The most popular temple of Rajim is the Rajivalochana Temple dedicated to the Lord Vishnu. The temple structure is supported by twelve towered columns embroidered with stone carvings, which bear the faces of the various gods of the Hindu mythology. The temple is an important religious construct visited by devotees from all over the globe who arrive to offer their prayers to the Lord Vishnu. Other temples dedicated to the various incarnations of Lord Vishnu like the Vamana and the Narasimha are placed in close proximity of the Rajivalochana Temple. Some of the other temples lie in dilapidated conditions in the city. Kuleshvara Mahadeva Temple stands in glory in the city even in its ruinous state. The statue of Lord Buddha in the meditative position under the Bodhi tree carved out of black stone is also popular in the city. Tour of Rajim is most propitious during the festive spring season when the annual Rajim Lochan Mahotsav is organized. The fair is held between the 16th of February and the 1st of March. The various music and dance performances conducted in the fair displays the rich culture of Rajim.

Sirpur

Sirpur is a city located in the state of Chhattisgarh in India. Chhattisgarh was formerly a part of Madhya Pradesh before it came to be recognized as a separate state in Indian subcontinent. There are a number of tourist locations in the state. Chhattisgarh tourism includes siteseeing in and around the cities of the state. The tourists on Chhattisgarh city tours must visit the city of Sirpur. This city was once known by the name of Shirpur. The distance of Sirpur from the state capital Raipur is only 50 km. Sirpur city lies on the Kawardha-Kanker road. Sirpur has long historical lineage. Sirpur is an ancient city of India and mention of this city is found in the ancient records of 5th and 8th century. This city of Chhattisgarh is an important tourist spot as it was a Buddhist center in the ancient times. In ancient India Sirpur happened to be the capital city of the rulers of the South of Somvanshi and Sarbhapuriya dynasties. During 635 AD, the Chinese scholar and traveler Hiuen Tsang visited this city of Chhattisgarh. Other than a city of historical importance, there are a number of Hindu temples that are visited by the tourists on a Chhattisgarh city tours. Among the Indian temples that are situated in this city of Sirpur, the Laxman Temple is mostly visited by the tourists and devotees of Lord Vishnu. It is the most famous tourist attraction in Sirpur. Sirpur can be reached by rail, road and air. National Highway no. 6 passes through this city and thus it links Sirpur with other parts of the state.

Ratanpur

Ratanpur is located at a distance of 25 km from Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh. The city was formerly known as Ratnapur after King Ratnadev, its founder. The city is mainly known for the ancient temples and forts. One of the main tourist attractions in Ratanpur is the temple of Mahamaya. Chhattisgarh city tour is a part of Chhattisgarh tourism. The travelers on a tour to Chhattisgarh should not miss out the temples and the ruins of the forts in Ratanpur. It was once a capital of the Kalchuri dynasty. On the very entrance of the city, lies the Baba Bairavnath temple. The idol of this temple is 9 feet high. Bhimbhaji Bhosle established the temple of Bhuddeshwar. It is a Shiva temple situated at the foothills in Chhasttisgarh. Ratanpur also has a temple dedicated to goddess Laxmi known as the Ekbira Temple. Shri Mahamaya Mandir in Ratanpur is considered to be one of the Sidh Peeth in India. It was built in 11th century. Devotees from all parts of Chhattisgarh and tourists from outside the state come to visit the temple. The temple is most crowded during Navaratri. The idols of goddesses of Laxmi and Saraswati are placed inside the temple. Beside the temples in Ratanpur, the Ratanpur Fort is another popular tourist attraction in Chhattisgarh. The intricate architectural works in the fort mesmerize the tourists. While entering the fort in Ratanpur, one will notice the statues of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. The idol of Dashanan in Ratanpur is worth seeing.

Dongargarh

Chhattisgarh tourism is never complete unless and until the tourists are taken on Chhattisgarh city tours. There are a number of tourist destinations in Chhattisgarh of which many have still remained unexplored by the people outside the state. The tourist spots in the cities of Chhattisgarh are important from religious, architectural, archaeological or historical perspectives. Chhattisgarh tourism offers multiple facilities to the tourists. Certain measures have been taken to improve the tourism industry of the state and encourage people to visit Chhattisgarh. A Chhattisgarh city tour should include a visit to the Maa Bambleshwari temple in Dongargarh. The city of Dongargarh is located in Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh. It is one of the most visited pilgrim center of the state. A temple dedicated to Maa Bambleshwari is built on top a hill, at an altitude of 1600 feet. This temple is also known as Badi Bambleshwari to her devotees. At a distance of half kilometer from this temple, another temple is erected which is known as the Chotti Bambleshwari. During the occasion of Navratri or Dushera and the day of Ramnavmi in the month of Chaitra, many devotees and tourists come to pay homage to the goddess of the temple. An annual festival is organized during the Navratri in Dongargarh. In this fair, the local people of the state find pleasure in buying different sorts of products. The rope-way in Dongargarh is another attraction to the tourists in the city. This rope-way is used for commuting. It is very popular to the tourists as it is the only rope-way that has been set up in Chhattisgarh state.

Arang

While talking of Chhattisgarh City Tours, inevitably the name of Arang comes up in the forefront. Located in the Raipur district of Chhattisgarh, Arang has a religious significance. The Bhandedwal Temple of Jain community is the major tourist appeal of Arang which owes its origin to the rulers of 11th to 12th century. The positional coordinates of Arang extends from a latitude of 21.2000 to a longitude of 81.9667. Bhandedwal Temple in Arang is a true manifestation of the excellent structural skills of the ancient Jain rulers who once dominated the land of Chattisgarh. The tirthankars are the main symbol of the devotional figures of Jainism. Bhandedwal Temple possesses three ecstatic black stone sculptures of these tirthankars. There are several other shrines in Arang which are equally captivating and reflects the old customs of Chhattisgarh. The temple of Chandi Maheshwari, Panchamukhi Mahadev, Danteswari and the Panchmukhi Hanuman complex are the significant religious attractions of Arang. The Mahamaya Temple is another popular shrine of Arang where the tourists can find a gigantic stone on which the 24 tirthankars of Jain devotees are engraved. Apart from exploring the exotic and religious charm of its own, Arang also offers enough opportunities to have a tour of the adjacent places such as Kosrangi, Bhansoj, Belsondha, Palaud, Chapajhar, Nawagaon and Samodac. Tourists coming from other parts of India do not have to worry about the connectivity of Arang as the place is strategically linked with the Raipur city of Chhattisgarh via airways, railways and roadways. The air services are also available from Bilaspur, Bhilai and Nawapara till Arang. Exhibiting some of the rarest of rare symbols of Jain faith and Hindu religion, Arang stands tall on the contours of Chhattisgarh tours.

Manipat

Manipat is one of the most-visited hill destinations of Chhattisgarh which is brimming with its quaint locale and rich historical significance. The specialty of Manipat lies in the locally-made woolen garments and carpets, the waterfall called as Tiger Point and a Tibet refugee camp. The place has economical significance too as it is known for its high quality potato farming. The Tiger Point waterfall in Manipat is truly an incredible appeal of the place. Encompassed by quaint hills, the watercourse enchants the viewers with its splashing natural beauty. The Tibet camp of Manipat is another interesting tourism feature which houses the migrating people of Tibet. The tribal people who inhabit the land of Manipat are quite simple and hardworking by nature. Agriculture is the main occupation of most of the people of Manipat. Handicraft is another attractive industry which has flourished in the place over the years. Surrounded by a serene aura which is so typical of mountain ranges, Manipat attracts those tourists who like to spend some solitary moments in the lap of nature. There are sufficient accommodation facilities for the tourist in Manipat. As a place of interest Manipat has capture the attention of many a travelers. Simultaneously, the area has become a major investing zone for the mining companies. Bharat Aluminum Company Limited or BALCO has set up one mining center in Manipat. This unit is efficiently working on various mining operations which in turn are helping generating revenue for the state of Chhattisgarh. Recognizing the huge tourism possibilities of Manipat, the state government is taking vital steps to transform the place into a major attraction of Chhattisgarh city tours.

Malhar

Depicting the ancient saga of Indian civilization, Malhar boasts of a heritage that goes back to the tenth and eleventh centuries. The temple of Deor, Pataleswar Kedar Temple and the temple of Didneswari are the prime shrines of Malhar in Chhattisgarh. The only museum of the place is known to possess some of the rarest of rare idols of the past decades. The positional coordinates of Malhar includes a latitude of 21.9000 and a longitude of 82.2833. Malhar stands on the contours of Chhattisgarh from a very long time. Such is the rich historical past of the place, that today Malhar has become a point of immense interest for those who are inclined towards the ancient temples of India. Being dominated by the Kingdoms of the past ages, Malhar symbolizes the evolution of several shrines within its geographical space. While the Deor temple of Malhar is famous for its exotic sculptures of gods and goddesses, the Pataleswar Kedar temple is known for the unique gomukhi shiv linga. One of the biggest religious feature of Malhar, the Pataleswar Kedar temple is also popular for its origin which dates back to 10th and 11th century. The Didneswari temple of Malhar is yet another enticing shrine of the place which had been set by the rulers of the Calturi. Since Bilaspur is the main junction, reaching Malhar is quite easy. People coming from other districts of Chhattisgarh and other states of India can avail of the railways services from Bilaspur district itself. For the tourists who are coming to Malhar from outside India, the nearest air terminal is at Bilaspur, Bhilai and Raipur. Blessed with the divine presence of the various historically important temples, Malhar is a true religious escapade of Chhattisgarh.

Sheorianarayan

As one of the significant tourist destinations of Chhattisgarh Sheorianarayan which is also called Seorinarayan, boasts of some of the outstanding natural and religious features. The place of Sheorianarayan is positioned at a latitude of 21.7333 and a longitude of 82.5833. The cities which can be visited from Sheorianarayan includes Katgi, Salkhan, Paoni, Kharod and Nawagarh. The town of Sheorianarayan is one of the mist-visited places of Chhattisgarh. Having its own heritage of past several centuries, Sheorianarayan today is on its way to become one of the bustling and attractive cities of Chhattisgarh. People from various zones of India come to Sheorianarayan to explore the natural treasures that lay hidden in the ancient land of the place. Sheorianarayan has sufficient food and lodging facilities which are specially built to accommodate the large number of tourists who are often found in the premises of the place. Also the accessibility of Sheorianarayan is one of the best in Chhattisgarh. Possessing its own bus and taxi services, Sheorianarayan makes for a convenient and comfortable sojourn for one and all. The local festivals of Sheorianarayan speaks of the traditional faith and beliefs of the tribes that inhabit the place from many decades. The cultural opulence of Sheorianarayan is reflected through its fairs and handicrafts items. People are quite helping and cordial and tourists feel at home when they step into the land of Sheorianarayan. As part of the proud heritage of Chhattisgarh, Sheorianarayan truly upholds the tourism tradition of the state.

Bhoramdeo

The Bhoramdeo Jungle Retreat, as the name says, is a Jungle Lodge in Bhoramdeo, which is located approximately at a distance of 21 km from Kawardha. It is a petite but appealing tourist attraction of Chhattisgarh. Bhoramdeo is a quaint 11th century town, dominated by a temple, situated at the base of the charming Maikal Hills, midway between Raipur and the world renowned Kanha Tiger Reserve. Amidst these thriving and enthralling surroundings is sited the Bhoramdeo Jungle Retreat, offering authentic bungalow-style lodging with all the vital facilities. The Jungle Retreat presents an ideal launchpad to discover tribal Gond and Baiga villages and the rare flora and fauna of the region. Its proprietor, Satyendra 'Sunny' Upadhyay, is a resident of close by Kawardha and offers highly tailor-made guiding to the Gond and Baiga villages and haats (markets) which congregate once a week in the region. Bhoramdeo Jungle Retreat possesses a total of three well-designed double bedrooms. All rooms are equipped with the necessary facilities like western-style washrooms and round the clock hot/cold water facilities. Known for its simple layout, the Jungle Retreat offers a chance to feel the time-honored ethnicity and generosity of the region. Local chefs provide a high standard of country cuisine. For Lunch, the Retreat encourages picnics among the sylvan landscape with the local gourmet delights. Excepting these usual outings, one can also visit the ancient Bhoramdeo temple or go trekking in the beautiful Maikal hills. The Saroda reservoir is also a place where the tourists can laze in the pleasant waterfront.

Last Updated on: 29^th March 2013