On November 1, 2000, Chhattisgarh, a state in east-central India, was formed out of Madhya Pradesh as the Union's 26th state. In ancient times, the region was known as Dakshin-Kausal. The Ramayana and Mahabharata both declare this. Between the sixth and twelfth centuries, Sarabhpurias, Panduavanshi, Somvanshi, Kalchuri, and Nagvanshi monarchs governed this region. Raipur grew to dominate the capital Ratanpur after the British arrived in 1845.
Southern Jharkhand and Odisha surround Chhattisgarh on the east, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra on the west, Uttar Pradesh and western Jharkhand on the north, and Andhra Pradesh on the south.
The state's authentic culture and customs are preserved because tribal people make up the bulk of the population. Natural triumph has resulted from the lives of these two main rivers, Indravati and Mahanadi. The state of Chhattisgarh is recognised for its lush jungle, making it a lovely and healthy tourist destination. This is where Lord Rama spent a portion of his exile, according to mythology. This is why Chhattisgarh has always piqued the interest of ancient historians and students. The property has a lot of promise as a tourist attraction because of its rich flora, waterfalls, and natural beauty.
The amazing talent of the region's architects and craftspeople can be seen in many of Chhattisgarh's caves and monuments. Tourists can embark on hiking and safaris through the beautiful green forests, taking in the sights and sounds of many plant and animal species. The lush vegetation and waterfalls located in the state's high sections are breathtaking. The Kailash cave, concealed in the deep woods near the Tirathgarh waterfalls, is where Chhattisgarh's roots may be seen.
Summer is not the best time to visit Chhattisgarh, but it is a terrific time to watch a lot of wildlife activity in the sanctuaries. During the monsoon, many tourists flock here to enjoy the scenery and the stunning vistas of various waterfalls. The greatest time to visit Chhattisgarh is in the winter because of the chilly climate.
It is located 100 kilometres from Raipur and 45 kilometres from Mahasamund City. It is a lushly planted wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary, which was built in 1976 and spans 245 square kilometres, has been a tremendous hit with both locals and visitors. The sanctuary is home to a variety of species, including tigers, leopards, porcupines, pythons, antelopes, bison, and other wildlife, and is situated on a flat and hilly area. As you go through the muddy streets, you'll encounter parrots, herons, egrets, black bucks, porcupines, monkeys, peafowl, and other animals, and you'll be delighted to watch the barking deers.
It is a temple dedicated to Goddess Danteshwari at Dantewada, which is located 84 kilometres from Jagdalpur. The Bastar rulers built the ancient temple, which is one of India's 52 Shakti Peethas and the Kuldevi of the Bastar state.
The temple is 18 kilometres from Kawardha and 116 kilometres from Raipur. It is devoted to Lord Shiva. It was built between the seventh and eleventh centuries. Built in the Nagar style, this stone carved temple is known for its magnificent carvings, giving it the moniker "Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh."
Because of its size, Chitrakote, India's greatest waterfall, is known as the "Niagara of India." The Indravati river feeds this waterfall, which is located on the west side of Jagdalpur in the Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. The fall runs in three streams from the cliff's tip during the summer. Chitrakote Falls, with a height of roughly 30 metres and a width of 985 feet, is best seen during the monsoon season. Below the falls, a prominent attraction is Lord Shiva's shrine, which includes several tiny Shiva Lingas. During the off-season, locals and visitors can be seen swimming, bathing, and even boating.
This is where the Chhattisgarh Kumbh Mela takes place, with pilgrims from all over the world flocking to take part in this important celebration. Because it is the confluence of three holy rivers: the Mahanadi (Chitrotpala), Pairi, and Sondur, Rajim is also known as Chhattisgarh's "Prayag." The spot where these three rivers meet is known as the 'Triveni Sangam.'
The cave is roughly 40 kilometres from Jagdalpur, just adjacent to the Tirathgarh Waterfalls. Kailash and Kutumsar Cave- Not only is the Kailash and Kutumsar Cave a unique cave, but it is also the world's second longest cave. The cave is 100 metres in length and was discovered in 1993. This two-kilometer-deep cave appears enormous in the midst of the thick forests. The cave is unique in that it cannot be explored beyond a certain point due to a shortage of oxygen supply within the deep cave.
Residents of the state are extremely hardworking, as evidenced by their efforts in mining and factories. They are also gifted artists who excel at traditional crafts. The history, traditions, customs, and traditional beliefs in Chhattisgarh varied according to tribal influence. Some of Chhattisgarh's significant tribes are the Gond, Korba, Baiga, Bison Horn Maria, Abhuj Maria, Muria, Halba, Bhatra, and Dhurvaa. The Gond tribe of Bastar is the most powerful of the tribal clans described above. Tribes make up about 70% of the population of Chhattisgarh, with the Bastar district having the highest density.
Chhattisgarh's culture is a mix of literature, theatre, and crafts derived and fed from daily living and observation of people's realities. The majority of the decorating or fashion patterns in their art comes from their own religion, mythologies, social and political activities, nature, and folklore. Other traditional crafts practised by the locals include painting, woodcarving, bell metal work, bamboo ceramics, and tribal jewellery.
When it comes to their art and craft, the Bastar tribal communities are thought to be the first to work with metal, specialising in bronze Dhokra casting and bell metal. Tribal gods, votive creatures, oil lamps, carts, and animals are all made from these metals. People in Chhattisgarh are proficient in sophisticated craft work such as carved wooden doors, windows, ceilings, lintels, masks, and statues of tribal cult figures because the state has more forest acreage.
The religion of the indigenous people is mostly represented through different manifestations of folk-mythical gods and goddesses. In this region, Dhanteshwari is a well-known goddess who is revered as a bestower of wishes and a protector against evil. The ethnic mosaic of Chhattisgarh includes tribal entertainment such as cock fights and tribal dances such as Salai, Suwa, and Karma.
The tribal attire worn by the inhabitants of Chhattisgarh is distinct and fascinating.
They have a strong affinity for metal casts, silver ghungroos, and hefty wooden bangles, especially around their necks. Women have certain requirements for their sarees, which must be knee-length and vividly coloured. Dhotis and cotton turbans are worn by men in tribal communities such as the Halbas, Ghotuls, Abhuj Marias, Murais, and others.
Tribal celebrations are also known for their garish clothing in vibrant colours.
Kosa silk and lost wax art are popular in Chhattisgarh. Potholders, mats, hammocks, backpacks, and dolls are all made from the ivory-colored fabric. People in Chhattisgarh utilise bamboo to make dwellings, bows and arrows, pots, fish and bird traps, and a range of agricultural implements since bamboo is abundant.
Fairs and Festivals of Chhattisgarh:
The state of Chhattisgarh is noted for its vibrant festivals and festivities. The festivities include dance and singing, mysticism and sanctity, untamed emotion, and, above all, traditional cultural values. Let's take a look at some of the state's most popular festivals.
Because rice is widely consumed and enjoyed, Chhattisgarh is known as India's "rice bowl." The territory's diet consists primarily of wheat, corn, and jowar. The population of this area eat a lot of protein-rich foods. Visitors are typically enticed to come because of the variety of lentils supplied.
The following suggestions are worth a shot:
Shopping in Chhattisgarh is all about buying the state's many handicrafts and textiles because there is so much to select from. Local artisans employ natural materials like wood, bamboo, bone, horn, stone, and feathers, as well as bell metal, gold, silver, and paper, to create a bewildering assortment of handcrafted products. Some of the objects worth purchasing include Pithora sculptures, Dokra metal creatures and figures, and carved woodwork.
By Air – Raipur, the state capital, is home to Chhattisgarh's only operational passenger airport. The Swami Vivekananda Airport, which is about 15 kilometres from the city centre and gets daily flights from major Indian cities, is located around 15 kilometres from the city centre. Only a handful of them include Delhi, Nagpur, Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Bengaluru, Indore, Kolkata, Ranchi, and Jaipur. They are served by top domestic carriers such as Indigo Airlines, Vistara, Spice Jet, and others.
By Railway – Chhattisgarh's rail network is centred on Bilaspur, the Indian Railways' South East Central Railway's zonal headquarters. The other significant railway junction is Raipur, which is followed by Durg Junction, which is the starting point for many long-distance trains. The major cities of India are well-connected to these three crossroads.
By Road – The NH6 connects Mumbai and Kolkata, the NH16 connects Hyderabad and Bhopalpatnam, the NH78 connects Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand, and the NH43 connects Raipur and Visakhapatnam are among the 11 national highways that pass through. Chhattisgarh has a huge network of highways connecting it to neighbouring states as well as inside the country due to its central location.
