Table of Contents
Chhattisgarh – the land of 36 forts! The name translates as: ‘Chhattis’ meaning 36 and ‘Garh’ meaning land. Though today, the remains of all the 36 forts (as the folklore goes) or the 36 demesnes of the Kosala cannot be traced, this landlocked and densely forested state remains an epitome of natural beauty and one amongst the most loved travel destinations in Central India. Being a treasure chest of nature, Chhattisgarh is a preferred vacation spot and tops the bucket list of trek lovers, environmentalists, and nature-loving travellers.
The answer is its raw and rustic vibe. The entire state is populated with dense forests (a rarity in today’s world) and natural waterfalls that still breathes life into vivid tribal inhabitants. Other tourist attractions attracting thousands of historians, archaeologists and architecture-lovers include ancient temples, forts, museums, and towns.
Truth be told, it’s an escape from the hustle and bustle of the ‘almost going barren’ cities and town life. How could anyone say no to an evening amidst lush greens with a cup of tea, watching the galloping deer in the field, right from your treehouse balcony!
Chhattisgarh is home to several tribal communities whose origins trace back to ancient times. To be precise, Chhattisgarh and tribal settlements are non-exclusive to one another and account for ~10% of the total Indian scheduled tribe population. Some of the prominent tribal communities of this region include Gonds, Abhuj Maria, Bison Horn Maria, and Dhurvaa, among others.
It is the best tourist place for travellers looking for conventional heritage apart from the temple trail. Learning and witnessing their natural and down-to-earth way of life is an experience of a lifetime that shall never be missed when in Chhattisgarh. Cultural folk dances like Karma, Sua Nach, Panthi Nach, and other entertainment games like cock-fight are popular here.
Chhattisgarh is surrounded by the forests in Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Telangana and claims to be the third-largest forest cover in India. Consequently, it is also home to several wildlife sanctuaries rich in diverse flora and fauna. The state has multiple National Parks and Tiger reserves, of which the Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO-recognized biosphere. These reserves are a must-visit tourist destination in India if you are fascinated by jungle safari, jungle stays, and wildlife photography.
Chhattisgarh is home to several sanctuaries and tiger reserves – thanks to the dense forests that support and sustain the habitation of these mighty wild beasts. Explore the vivid and diverse biodiversity with over 300 bird species, monkeys, bison, tigers, leopards, deers, jackals, etc., in the famous Guru Ghasidas National Park and Kanger Valley National Park. However, for a particular darshan of the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger, you will have to visit the two tiger reserves in the state, i.e. Achanakmar Tiger Reserve and the Indravati Tiger Reserve.
One of the most loved tourist places in Chhattisgarh is the waterfalls. Amidst all, the Chitrakut fall, also known as the ‘Niagara Falls of India’ is a beloved tourist spot. Falling from a height of 100 feet, this spectacular waterfall attracts thousands of visitors each year. Other famous waterfalls include the Tirathgarh Falls, Mendri Ghoomar, Amrit Dhara, Rajpuri, Tiger Point, Kendai, among others.
Up for adventure tourism? Explore the beautiful stalactite and stalagmite Kailash caves, located near the Tirathgarh falls. Kutumsar caves are popular for inhibiting genetically blind fish, while Sitabhara caves have mythological importance with their association with Goddess Sita. Another most popular tourist destination in Chhattisgarh, mostly to historians and archaeologists, is the Singhanpur caves. These caves are home to the oldest sculptures on the earth, with a carbon dating of 30,000 BC. All these caves are aged around a million years, and most of them are considered shrines and considered sacred by the locals.
The Mahant Ghasidas Sangrahalay, located in Raipur, exhibits interesting artefacts dating back to the stone age! It encompasses sculpture galleries of deities and life forms, anthropology, tribal, ancient arms, and armoury. Another popular open-air museum in Chhattisgarh is the Purkhauti Muktangan Museum which celebrates and demonstrates the rich tribal culture, art heritage, and lifestyle.
Pilgrims from all over the country visit Chhattisgarh for its ancient temples. The most popular tourist destination (in terms of spirituality) is the Maa Bamleshwari temple in the city of Dongargarh. Umpteen devotees pay a visit to this twin temple situated at the hilltop, especially during the Dussehra and Diwali. The Khajuraho temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is another beloved tourist spot in India. It was built by King Ramachandra of the Nag dynasty in the 7-11th century AD. Apart from this, the 800-year-old Danteswari temple is equally popular amongst both the natives and the tribes.
Apart from the temples, one can visit the beautiful Catholic church – ‘The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary’ in Kunkuri.
Chhattisgarh being rich in culture, boasts of beautiful handicrafts and artefacts. The state’s artistic lifestyle is heavily influenced by the tribal presence and is evident in the form of jewellery, wooden carvings, textile, etc. You can shop for wooden jewellery, bell metal handicrafts (Dhokra art), terracotta figures, bamboo work, paintings, etc. Apart from these, Chhattisgarh is the birthplace of Kosa silk (also known as Tussar silk) and offers world-recognized quality.
Chhattisgarh is known as the ‘rice bowl of India’, and so, this staple finds its way into Chhattisgarhi cuisine in multiple delicious ways. The tribal food is heavily dominated by wild greens like chech bhaji, kanda bhaji, kheksi (spiny gourd), bohar bhaji, and game meats.
The state has a tropical climate due to its proximity to the Tropic of Cancer. We recommend the period between September to March; however, it can be visited round the year. Chattisgarh is well connected with National Highways and has proper transport facilities, including flights, trains, and buses from all prominent places, cities, and states. One can also choose to drive their vehicle for all the jungle fun.
Chhattisgarh resonates with harmony and nature and offers one of the most serene travel experiences. It indeed is eavesdropping into the era of nature, harmonious living communities, traditions, and a balanced ecosystem. There is so much to learn and reflect upon from this amazing tourist destination of India.
Chhattisgarh can be enjoyed as a lavish stay or as a budget-friendly vacation. The choice is all yours as the hospitality industry is yet here to spoil you with offers and deals. CheckCleartrip for hot selling deals on hotels and flights.
Chhattisgarh offers several low-budget and solo traveller-friendly destinations, tours, and packages. Shared buses, cabs, hostels, and homestays keep your expenses low and spirit high.
Yes. Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh, is listed among the safest cities. However, we recommend being cautious and alert always.
Chhattisgarhi is the most widely spoken language, followed by Hindi. Apart from this, Gondi is another tribal language that is prevalent in the state.
You can book flight tickets for Raipur, the only functional passenger airport in Chhattisgarh. Apart from this, train and bus connectivity is supremely well within the state.
Travellers should carry their tickets, ID card, Aadhaar card, passport, and visa.
