Swanky new buildings juxtaposed with the ancient structures of temples; the incessant rumble of industries in the serene company of verdant hills; and the pace of a commercial hub against the oblivion of the dense forest surrounding it. To the unaccustomed eye, Raipur may seem little more than a chaotic capital city, but amid all the bustle, it houses a marvelous treasure trove of contrasting experiences. From history and heritage to technology and development, to the soothing touch of nature, this enormous city accommodates all it can and then some more. An underrated tourist destination, no traveler who has been here could deny the innumerable possibilities the city offers. As you alternate between its distinct images, Raipur slowly, but surely charms you.
One of the fastest developing cities in India, Raipur is the capital city of Chhattisgarh. With a booming steel industry, it is also the largest manufacturing unit of steel in the state. While keeping pace with modernization, the city that was once ruled by ancient dynasties cherishes its historical legacy with equal fervor. Surrounded by the Maikal Hills and the Bastar Plateau, the Mahanadi River flows by this town that has been blessed by nature with many boons. From adventure to leisure, the marvelous city of Raipur has much to offer you.
Raipur will hardly disappoint you when it comes to exploring its culture. The city is abuzz with activity during the various festivals that are celebrated with gusto. In the month of July, the festival of Hareli is celebrated here, especially by the farming community. The Gaura-Gauri festival commemorating the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is celebrated in August with the festivities continuing for six days. The Pola festival is dedicated to the worship of the bulls and is celebrated by gifting children with clay idols of the animal along with other games and activities.
You can explore the natural beauty surrounding the city by indulging in the various eco-tourism opportunities that it offers. A visit to the New Raipur region of the city is also a great way of exploring the commercial and industrial quarters of the city. Raipur is popular across the nation for its production of rice. You can visit one of the many rice mills and processing units spread across the city and find the reason behind the state’s sobriquet of ‘the Rice Bowl of India'.
Raipur offers plenty of options when it comes to shopping. The city is mainly known for its skillfully created handicrafts. Tribal artifacts made of wood, stone and metals make for beautiful souvenirs and décor articles. You can also shop for ethnic wear embellished with intricate patterns of the traditional zari and zardozi work. Clay idols of religious deities and organic bags made from the husk of the sisal seed are among the other articles worth buying.
A number of transport options are available for traveling within the city. The preferred local means of transport is the public city bus service provided by the municipal corporation. Auto-rickshaws and tuk-tuks are also convenient ways of traveling within the city. You can hire private taxis for a more comfortable option.
On a daily basis there are approximately 28 flights that operate at Raipur Airport.IndiGo and Air India are the most popular airline brands that fly frequently to this airport.
Besides flying you can also reach Raipur through train.Saronais one of the most popular train stations in Raipur.
By road Raipur is surrounded by Bhilai Nagar, Durg, Mahasamund which are 16.7 km, 21.94 km, 31.44 km away respectively. These places are ideal spots for people to plan their short weekend break.
Raipur has a total of 41 hotels.There are 41 hotels in Raipur with the popular ones being Hotel Babylon International, Hotel Mayura, Hotel Babylon Inn, Hotel Celebration, Hotel Grand International, Hotel GT Star etc.