Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh is a beautiful state located in Central India and is known for its temples and forests. The name Chhattisgarh translates to ‘thirty-six forts’ and it was formed in the year 2000 after being separated from the state of Madhya Pradesh. Several of the state’s 29 districts used to be princely states and its major cities now are Raipur (capital), Durg-Bhilai, Bilaspur, Raigarh, Rajnandgaon, Korba, and Jagdalpur.

The state has several old historic points, temples, stunning wildlife in wonderful sanctuaries, regal residences, caverns, waterfalls, rock depictions, and slope levels. Many local parts of the state are still untouched and unexplored and offers an unforgettable experience to its visitors. The state is also home to several tribal communities each with their unique customs, traditions, and way of life which add on to the uniqueness of the experience. Some of the most famous tribes here are Gonds, Abhuj, Maria, Bison Horn Maria, Halba, and Dhurvaa. People celebrate festivals with utmost enthusiasm and following their traditions. Delicacies such as jalebi, rakhiabadi, and petha are the specialties and the people are inclined towards tangy recipes and sweet delectables.

The prevalent languages spoken in Chhattisgarh are mainly Hindi and the local language Chhattisgarhi. It is an Indo-Aryan language closely related to Hindi. A few tribal Munda languages are also spoken in parts of the state including Korku, Kharia, and Korba. Most of the population practices Hinduism but a sizable portion of Muslims, Jains, Buddhists, Christians, and a small community of Sikhs also reside in the state. At present, the population of Chhattisgarh stands to 28.57 million.

Chhattisgarh is home to a diverse population of different ethnic, social, linguistic, and religious backgrounds, of which more than one-third of the state’s population belong to the Scheduled Castes or to the Scheduled Tribes. Of the Scheduled tribes, the community of Gond people is the most prominent. The people celebrate festivals very enthusiastically and since the state is known for its tribes, there are always some kind of celebration and festivities going on which makes Chhattisgarh a unique place.

• Raipur – The capital and the largest city of the state, Raipur is one of the largest industrial centres in the country and is home to several museums, waterfalls, restaurants, amusement parks and whatnot for the entertainment of its visitors.
• Jagdalpur – It is a beautiful and naturally abundant city in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. It is famous for its rich history which can be seen from its palaces and monuments and natural wonders such as lakes, ponds, waterfalls, and lush forests. The city is well-connected to Raipur and other cities for an easy commute.
• Bhilai – A culturally profound city, Bhilai is a planned city in the Durg district of Chhattisgarh and is mainly known for its steel plants. It is an amalgam of different people from different races and tribes living together and thus forms an exciting fusion of fun and entertainment for visitors to enjoy.
• Malhar – It is one of the most historic and archeologically important town of Chhattisgarh. Known for its outstanding sculptures and ancient charm, few of the remains found in Malhar date back to 1000 century BC and are attributed to the Kalchuri regime.
• Chirmiri – It is a beautiful hill station in the Koriya district of Chhattisgarh and welcomes visitors in its lush greenery, mountains, and rivers that make it a perfect weekend getaway from the chaos of life.
• Dhamtari – Home to Chalukyan empire in the 14th century, Dhamtari is an important tourist town also known for its ancient temples. The town has a small population but attracts a lot of tourists for its greenery, peace, and naturally stunning settings.
• Mainpat – Also called as ‘Mini Tibet’ because of the settlements, Mainpat is a honeymoon destination with lush greenery, crisp air, cascading waterfalls, and breathtaking surroundings.
• Sirpur – It is a small village located in the banks of Mahanadi River in Chhattisgarh. It is an archaeological site with a temple culture and has a deep connection to Buddhism with some archaeological findings from the 8th century that attracts several tourists.

• Chitrakote Falls - Also known as ‘Mini Niagara Falls’, Chitrakote is the broadest waterfall in India and is 95 feet high. The waterfall paints a spectacular sight and is an ideal destination to visit.
• Charre Marre Waterfalls – A refreshing offbeat place with a 16 meters high waterfall which is a great sight to see. The waterfall is a famous picnic spot among families and friends where you can take your own snacks and enjoy the nature while gorging on delicious food.
• Bambleshwari Temple - Considered as a ‘Tirth’ by the people of Chhattisgarh, this temple is in Dongargarh and is reached by climbing numerous stairs to a cliff.
• Kanger Ghati National Park – Another place for wildlife and nature buffs, Kanger Ghati National Park is home to several species of big cats, sloths, langurs, lizards, and avian species.
• Tirathgarh Falls– It is one of the most frequented tourist places of Chhattisgarh which offers you a culmination of entertainment, fun, picnic, and adventure. The falls split into multiple falls offering a stunning view and since its located inside Kanger National Park, the visit is always worth every penny and time.
• Indravati National Park – A paradise for nature lovers with its beautiful hill ranges, lush vegetation, and diverse wildlife. With a variety of wild mammals, reptiles, birds, and amphibians, a safari in this national park is a memorable experience.
• Madku Dweep – Shaped like a frog, the island is a breathtaking natural beauty and is famous for its temples and historical and archaeological importance as major relics have been discovered here. It is a famous place among devotees of lord Shiva, Ganesha and other gods.
• Bhoramdeo Temple - Completely carved on the rocky stones in the Nagar style of architecture is the ancient Hindu temple devoted to Lord Shiva and was constructed by King Ramchandra of the Nag dynasty.
• Pamed Wildlife Sanctuary – One of the significant wildlife sanctuaries in the state, it is home to several flora such as Sal and Teak trees and other varieties of flowers and plants along with fauna including the Cheetal, Deer, Indian Gazelle, Chinkara, etc.

Food in Chhattisgarh is characterized as tribal food and non-tribal food. The tribal food made by the tribes has an addition of various types of fruits commonly found in the forest area. The people in Chhattisgarh usually prefer tangy recipes for main course and sweet delectables. Some of the best foods of Chhattisgarh are:

• Muthia – Rice batter dumplings seasoned with spices and then steamed.
• Aamat – A mixed vegetable curry made with spices and ginger-garlic paste and cooked in bamboo shoots.
• Chila – A thin pancake seasoned with spices and made with gram flour batter or rice and lentil batter.
• Bhajia – Fritters made with different vegies mixed in gram flour and spices and deep fried.
• Sabudana Khichdi – Soaked tapioca pearls sauteed with some vegies and fruits and seasoned with light spices.
• Bara – A variant of Vada made from fermented Urad dal along with vegies and spices.
• Faraa – Desi style dumplings, made from rice flour batter and vegies that are lightly seasoned with coriander leaves and then steamed.
• Khurma– Roasted vermicelli added to boiling water along with sugar syrup and dry fruits.

• Barbeque Nation – A famous chain restaurant that is known for its starters and sizzlers, some of which are made in front of the customers. You can have as much you want to eat in a given price range.
• Nukkad, The Tea Café– The restaurant serves snacks and beverages in a very chic and modern interior that attracts youngsters for some Instagram worthy pictures.
• Ambrosia – It is a restaurant that serves Asian, Indian, and Chinese cuisine in a modern and classy décor with lawn outside. The staff members are also polite, and the dishes are freshly prepared.
• Pashmina – Pashmina serves delicious north and south Indian cuisines in a sophisticated and well-designed interior. The staff is polite and fast, and the dishes are also priced reasonable for a family to have a hearty meal together.
• Girnar Restaurant – The restaurant serves the best Indian and Chinese cuisines in Raipur in a well-lit and chic interior. The prices are fair, and the staff members are kind. The restaurant operates all day till 11pm.
• Mocha – It is a restaurant which offer Chinese, Italian, Indian, and Mexican cuisines with awesome music which enthralls the interest of the visitors. Their sizzlers are tempting, and drinks and beverages are a must-try as well.

Chhattisgarh has several stay options to choose from catering to budget and needs of all kinds of travelers. Some of the best hotels to stay in Chhattisgarh are:

• Mayfair Lake Resort
• Hotel Vennington Court
• Hotel Babylon In
• Anaya Resort
• Courtyard by Marriott Raipur
• Hotel Babylon International - Raipur
• Courtyard By Marriott Bilaspur
• The Kamoda Resort
• Hyatt Raipur
• Club Paraiso
• Clarks Inn Suites

• Sadar Bazaar – One of the famous markets in Raipur, it is known for its dazzling jewelry and accessories and delectable Chhattisgarhi food. There are several shops and stalls selling traditional and casual modern jewelry and food stalls selling delicious food from all over the country.
• Gole Bazaar – The market is a hub of all things you could think of. From small household tools to bridal wears, electronic equipment and spices, the market is a paradise for shopaholics and remains over-crowded during festive season.
• Kanwar Ram Market – Located in Bilaspur, the market is known for women apparel from all age group and for all occasions. You can also find a variety of household items in a cheap and affordable rate.
• Pandri Cloth Market – It is wholesale market and is known for a wide variety of cloth and dress material to fully stitched apparels and that too at dirt cheap prices. If you are looking for some trendy textile clothes for men, women, and children and for all kinds of occasions, then this is the place for you.
• Sanjay Market – The market is famous for its traditional tribal wears such as hats and handmade items sold by adivasis. You can get different handmade snacks and food to even homemade drinks, alcohol, etc. made by tribal people. Apart from these, other grocery items and vegetables are also available in the market.

• Ambuja City centre mall
• Magneto- The mall
• Chhattisgarh city centre mall
• Rama Magneto- The mall
• Colors Mall
• City mall 36
• Surya Treasure Island Mall

• Purkhauti Muktangan– It is open-air art museum cum park developed by tourism ministry of Chhattisgarh in New Raipur. The museum displays the habitat, artifacts, folk dances, food habits, and other nuances of the tribal culture of Chhattisgarh.
• The Archaeological Museum– The archaeological museum showcases relics excavated from in and around the city that represent the history of Chhattisgarh and the region from the era as old as the stone age.
• Mahakoshal Art Gallery – It is an art gallery displaying various kinds of arts from skilled and newcomer artists from across the country. it has aesthetic, comprised paintings, sculptures, decorative art, industrial design, etc.
• Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum – Located in a href="/places/raipur">Raipur, the museum is one of the oldest museums in Chhattisgarh and is spread in 2 hectares with several galleries. Archaeology gallery, Sculptures gallery, Natural History gallery, Anthropology gallery, Tribal gallery, Ancient Arms and Ammunitions gallery are some of the popular galleries in the museum.
• Prem Art Gallery – It is basically a handmade art and gift shop and has a collection of many arts like paintings sketches, quilling art, leaf art, stone art, string art, designer candles, mirrors, wall clock, collage, wood carvings, etc.
• Chhattisgarh Science Centre– The museum exhibits distinct models of science and many interesting facts along with a fascinating explanation of 3D illusions and mirror effects. It has a play area and 3D cinema theatre for children and is an excellent place to learn and enjoy at the same time.
• DKNS Memorial Geological Museum – Located in Raipur, the museum has an assortment of minerals, rocks, and semi-precious, and precious stones along with educational centres for those who want to know more about it.

Some of the most celebrated festivals of Chhattisgarh apart from the commonly celebrated Diwali, Holi, Dussehra are:

• Bastar Dussehra – Bastar Dussehra is celebrated with vigor to connote the power of the Goddess Danteswari and the residents of Bastar organize several special worship ceremonies at the temple.
• Bhoramdeo Mahotsav – Celebrated in the premises of the Bhoramdeo temple, the temple is well-lit and decorated and a lot of festivities are organized which are a treat for the eyes and people dress in colorful costumes to take part in the activities organized during the festival.
• Rajim Kumbh Mela – One of the five location of the Kumbh Mela, it is a popular festival of mass gathering of the Vaishnavites near the convergence of Mahanadi, Pairi, and Sonder Rivers.
• Madai Festival – Famously celebrated by the Gond tribe of the state, this festival sees several rituals of the tribes along with a display of craftsmanship and various food stalls.
• Kajari Festival – Celebrated by the farmers of the state to mark the sowing season for wheat and barley and to seek the blessings of Goddess of Bhagwati.
• Bhagoriya Festival – This festival is celebrated by the Bhil tribe in the Jhabua district and the term Bhagoriya literally means elopers. The highlight of this festival is that here one is officially given permission to elope with their lover. You can either apply gulal/color on the person you like or give a betel leaf, and if the person reciprocates, then you can elope together.

• Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary– A green paradise for the wildlife and nature lovers, this wildlife park is home to a variety of flora and fauna such as tigers, leopards, blackbuck, antelopes, bison, etc. along with several species of beautiful birds. Sal, teal, mahua, tendu, and seemal, etc. adorn the landscape of the park, making it worth the time to explore.
• Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary – Nestled beside the Sitanadi river, the sanctuary is rich in vegetation and has a good amount of fauna including the big and small cats, flying squirrel, antelopes, bison, hyena, chinkara nilgai, sloth bear, etc. It is also a heaven for the bird watchers as well and is in progress to become an important tiger reserve in the future.
• Udanti Wild Buffalo Wildlife Sanctuary – Located in Raipur, the century is famous for its wild buffalos which are an endangered species, along with other varieties of animals which attract many tourists year round.
• Indravati National Park – A paradise for nature lovers with its beautiful hill ranges, lush vegetation, and diverse wildlife. With a variety of wild mammals, reptiles, birds, and amphibians, a safari in this national park is a memorable experience.
• Kanger Valley National Park– Apart from the wild variety of flora and fauna that you can witness in their glory through a safari, the park is also known for its thrilling treks and amazing sightseeing experience with dazzling waterfalls and secret caves.

• By Train: Raipur and Bilaspur are the two main railway stations in the state which receive trains from almost all major cities of the country.
• By Air: Swami Vivekananda Airport is in Raipur and receives regular flights from all major cities. Buses and cab are available from the airport to reach other parts of the city and neighboring cities.
• By Road: Chhattisgarh is well-connected by road including National Highways which are well-maintained and public transport is easily available to reach the state.