Rajnandgaon has a rich history and religious legacy, having been ruled over by both Hindu and Mughal emperors. Not surprisingly, it is a popular pilgrimage site in Chattisgarh, and makes for an interesting stopover for any discerning traveler, looking to explore India. Also known as Shanksardhani, the landscape of Rajnandgaon is exquisite, surrounded by rivers and ponds. This makes it a perfect tourist destination, offering much respite to the locals and visitors alike.
The harmonious lifestyle and hospitable nature of the locals are probably the most striking features to most tourists who visit the city. Hindu festivals such as Lakshmi Puja, Ganesh Puja, Diwali and Navratri are celebrated with great gusto, as the city quite literally lights up. Fairs, festivities and regional bazaars open up to all, as the district comes alive in celebration. A visit to Rajnandgaon during the festive period would be an experience to remember.
Dongargadh is perhaps the biggest tourist attraction and pilgrimage site in Rajnandgaon. There are two temples on the premises, both dedicated to Goddess Bamleshwari. The one named Badi Bamleshwari is situated on a hilltop and offers stunning panoramic views of the surroundings. Choti Bamleshwari is at ground level, about half a kilometer from the main, larger temple complex. The temples draw hundreds of thousands of devotees every year, and the numbers only swell during the festive period. If nothing else, the views from the temples will make your trip completely worthwhile.
Mata Sheetala Devi Shakti Peetha is another temple that is about 2,000 years old, and it is a popular tourist site in the region. Created with pink sandstone and marble, this is a stunning example of the beautiful temple architecture, characteristic of the area.
Other sites, worth visiting, include the Gayatri Mandir and the Barfaani Ashram.
Cycle-rickshaws and auto-rickshaws are available fairly easily in Rajnandgaon. These are most convenient for traversing short distances. Buses also run throughout the city and can also get you to destinations in the surrounding areas. Private cabs or cars can be also hired in the city if you’d prefer to travel in comfort and at your own pace.
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 Rajnandgaon through train.Raj Nandgaonis one of the most popular train stations in Rajnandgaon.On an average about 64 trains pass through Rajnandgaon on a daily basis.Gondiya to Rajnandgaon, Durg to Rajnandgaon, Raipur to Rajnandgaonare some of the most popular routes to Rajnandgaon with 116, 110, 103 trains weekly respectively.
By road Rajnandgaon is surrounded by Durg, Bhilai Nagar, Raipur which are 17.63 km, 22.59 km, 39.27 km away respectively. These places are ideal spots for people to plan their short weekend break.