CHHATTISGARH
Capital: Raipur. Area: 1,35,191 sq. km. Population: 2,08,33,803 (Male: 1,04,74,218 Female: 1,03,59,585). Population density: 154 per sq. km. Sex ratio: 989 females per 1000 males. Principal language: Hindi. Literacy: 64.7% (Male: 77.4% Female: 51.9%). Districts: 16. LokSabha seats: 11. State Assembly seats: 90. Airports: Raipur, Bilaspur. Tourist season: Septemberto March.
Introduction
Chhattisgarh is a thickly forested state and has a tribal majority. It was carved out as a new state from Madhya Pradesh in November 2000. During ancient times it was called Dakshin Kosala. The state, already infamous for its Naxal problem, also suffers from bad roads and scant buses outside the Raipur-Jagadalpur stretch of Highway 43. The state’s forests abound in medicinal plants.
How to get there
By Air: The state has a domestic airport, which is linked, to almost all major airports in the country. Indian Airlines and some other airlines operate regular flights to Raipur.
By Rail: Raipur and Bilaspur are the major railway stations in Chhattisgarh. Since Raipur comes almost midway between Mumbai and Howrah, it is touched by important trains.
By Road: The road-network in Chhattisgarh is excellent. NH 6, 16 and 43 connect all the major cities and towns of Chhattisgarh.
Festivals in Chhattisgarh Besides Diwali, Dussehra and Holi, Chhattisgarh has its own local festivals. These are the Charta, Navakhana, Surhul, Mati Puja,
Goncha, Madai Hareli, Pola, Cherchera, Dev Uthni, Gouri-gourand SurtiTeeja.
Places of interest
Indravati National Park: The Indravati National Park is perhaps the state’s finest and the most exhilarating wildlife reserve. Located in Dantewada district, the park has an amazing variety of flora and fauna.
Kanger Valley National Park: The beautiful park, also a biosphere reserve, is located on the banks of the Kholaba River at a distance of about 27 km from Jagdalpur, the headquarters of Bastar. Spread over an area of 200 sq. km comprising mainly hilly terrain, the Park gets its name from the Kanger River, which flows throughout its length. There are three mind blowing caves and a waterfall named the Tiratgarh Waterfalls inside the park. Also, the park houses two exotic picnic resorts – Kanger Dhara and Bhaimsa Dhara (a Crocodile Park).
The major wildlife found here are the tiger,
leopard, mouse deer, wild cat, chital, sambar and striped hyena. The reptiles found here include python, cobra, crocodile and monitor lizard. Some of the birds found at the park are the hill myna, spotted owlet, peacoks, phatka, bhura teeter, heron, tree pie etc.
Chitrakoot Falls: The Falls located 38 km west of Jagdalpur are formed by the waters of the Indrawati River. The thundering sound produced by its flow during the monsoon is striking. Chitrakoot also happens to be a Holy
Jagdalpur: It is the administrative headquarters of Bastar District, and was the capital ofthe princely state of Bastar. The area is famous for age-old wooden handicrafts. Jagdalpur is a good base for meeting the tribes and discovering their art. About 80 km from Jagdalpur city, is the 600-year-old Danteshwari Temple, dedicated to Ma Danteshwari, a local goddess worshipped as an incarnation of Shakti. During dussehra, a large number of tribals from surrounding villages and jungles visit this temple to pay homage to the goddess.
place for Hindus and pilgrims who come here for Hari Darshan, circle the falls. The picture perfect surroundings of the Falls help most travellers to find peace and tranquility.
Bastar Palace: One of the important historical places of Jagdalpur, the Bastar Palace was the headquarters of Bastar Kingdom. It was built by the rulers of Bastar State when the capital of Bastar kingdom was shifted from Barsur to Jagdalpur. At present, the palace serves as the residence ofthe royal family of Bastar state.