Ancient Caves
The hilly terrain and forests of the virgin Kanger Valley National Park, in the epicentre of the tribal Bastar district, house a number of ancient caves.
The Caves are closed during the monsoons and for some time thereafter. They normally open around the time of Bastar Lokotsav. Guides take tourists in and out safely. However, it is advised that children below 8 years, those above 60 years, and those suffering from claustrophobia avoid the Caves. Wear walking shoes with a sturdy grip as the floor is often uneven and occasionally slippery.
A nominal entrance fee is charged. This covers the cost of the guide who takes you in and out of the Caves and also provides a torch.
Waterfalls
Chhattisgarh has India's finest waterfalls, comparable to the best in the world. Some of them are:
Chitrakot Waterfall
Tiratgarh Waterfall
Mandawa Waterfall
Chitrashara Waterfall
Thamada Ghumar Waterfall
Mendri Ghoomar Waterfall
Bodhghat Saath Dhara, Dantewada
Malanjhkudum Waterfalls, Kanker
Charre-Marre Waterfall, Kanker
Amrit Dhara Waterfall, Koriya
Ramdaha Waterfall, Koriya
Gavar Ghat Waterfall, Koriya
Akuri Nala, Koriya
Pawai Waterfall, Surguj
Kendai Waterfall, Surguj
Rajpuri Waterfall, Jashpur
Danpuri Waterfall, Jashpur
Rani Dah Waterfall, Jashpur
Palaces
A number of Chhatisgarh's 16 districts were formerly princely states, leaving a legacy of picturesque palaces. Some famous palaces are:
Palace Kawardha, Kawardha
Kanker Palace
Bastar Palace
Temples
In ancient times, Chhattisgarh was the region known as Dakshin Koshal, which finds mention in both the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Over time it was ruled by a succession of Hindu dynasties, and they have left it a legacy of temples, ranging from modest to imposing. Some of the temples are:
Laxman Temple and Gandheswar Temple, Sirpur
Barsoor
Danteshwari Temple, Dantewada
Shivani Temple, Kanker
Chandi Temples, Dongargarh
Mahamaya Temple, Surguj
Kudargarh, Surguj
Shankar Temple, Deepadih, Surguj
Vishnu Mandir, Janjgir Champa
Pithampur Shiv Mandir, Janjgir Champa
Madanpurgarh Devi Mandir, Janjgir Champa
Ghatadai (Paharia) Tripur Sundar Devi, Janjgir Champa
Shivarinarayan Laxminarayan Temple, Janjgir Champa
Kharud Nagar Laxmaneshwar Temple, Janjgir Champa
Turridham Shiva Temple, Janjgir Champa
Adbhar Ashtbhuji Temple, Janjgir Champa
Chandrahasini Devi Temple, Janjgir Champa
Ganga Maiya Temple, Durg
Temples of Ratanpur
Mallhar (Saravpur)
Talagram
Champaran
Rajim
Tribal Culture
Chhattisgarh is home to many tribes. In fact, the state has India's oldest tribal communities, and it is safe to assume that the earliest tribals have been living in Bastar for over 10,000 years, since the time the Aryans occupied the Indian mainland and the rich plains became
(a) war-infested and
(b) de-forested for agriculture.
The main tribes in Chhattisgarh are:
Bastar - Gond, Abujmaria , Bisonhorn Maria, Muria, Halba, Bhatra, Parja, Dhurvaa
Dantewara - Muriya, Dandami Mariya or Gond, Dorla, Halba
Koriya - Kol, Gond, Bhunjia
Korba - Korwa, Gond, Rajgond, Kawar, Bhaiyana, Binjwar, Dhanwar
Bilaspur and Raipur - Parghi, Savra, Manji, Bhayna
Gariabandh, Mainpur, Dhura, Dhamtari - Kamar
Surguja and Jashpur - Munda
Wildlife
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Chhattisgarh
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Chhattisgarh - updated Apr 2024
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Chhattisgarh Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
