Chhattisgarh, one of the few landlocked states in central India, is a treasure house of natural beauty. Tourists wanting to experience the raw side of nature will find themselves at home here. It is its rusticity that makes you fall in love with it. Dense forests abound in the state, and in them, reside various tribes, each with their unique customs, traditions and way of life. The points of tourist interest in Chhattisgarh also include ancient temples and towns which have constantly attracted historians and archaeologists. There are plenty of wildlife sanctuaries which house a rich wildlife, with the gaur never ceasing to surprise onlookers. Other must visit tourist attractions include dams, museums and waterfalls.

Travelling to Chhattisgarh is like planning a trip to ultimate bliss. The state is blessed generously by nature and you come across examples of that every few miles. Its landscape, which is dominated for the most part by dense forests, is dotted with waterfalls, caves and a rich wildlife. Located in central India, it offers its fair share of adventure, sightseeing and exploration. The state is home to many temples and some towns which trace their origin to historical times, thus fascinating tourists, historians and archaeologists constantly. To escape the sweltering heat during summers, nature has gifted it with several hill stations, each as beautiful as the other.

Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary

One of the most famous tourist attractions in Chhattisgarh, the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the Bar and Nawapura forest villages. It was established in the year of 1976 and is spread over a vast area of 245 sq. Km. The rich and lush vegetation caters to a broad spectrum of wildlife in this region. The landscape is mostly flat terrain with occasional low and high hillocks.

Raipur

The capital of Chhattisgarh, Raipur is the largest city in the state. With more than hundreds of steel mills and six steel plants, Raipur is also one of the largest industrial centres of the country. Besides steel, it is also home to the aluminium and coal industries. A primary business and industrial hub, Raipur is even fast emerging in the tourism sector, attracting tourists from across the world. The city is known for its temples, lakes, factories, educational centres as well as the development of Naya Raipur. Naya Raipur is a newly planned city and is about 17km away from the current town. The Swami Vivekananda Airport lies in between Raipur and Naya Raipur facilitating travel.

Raipur has a rich history and until 2000 was a part of Madhya Pradesh. After the formation of the new state of Chhattisgarh, Raipur was made its capital, primarily because of its centralised location. Located in the centre of the plains that are also called the ‘rice bowl of India’, Raipur is surrounded by the districts of Durg and Bemetara. The city is a bustling capital city with a multicultural and multi-religious society. With many festivals, shopping outlets and city landscapes Raipur is also an excellent base for venturing into the surrounding attractions. These include the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary, Dandak Caves, Bilaspur, Chitrakoot Falls, Amarkantak, Bhilai, Kanha National Park and the Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary.

Visit Raipur to explore its various natural, wildlife and historical tourist attractions. Chhattisgarh is mostly a forested region. Raipur understands the importance of maintaining its ecological balance, and there is a government proposal under works to construct a micro-forest in the heart of the city. Raipur is also about its various festivals, such as Hareli, Champaran Mela, Pola and Teeja that are celebrated during monsoons. And no city in India is complete without a taste of its unique flavours. Raipur is no different offering its many fascinating cuisines and street food that are an integral part of the city’s cultural and social layout.

Charre Marre Waterfalls

Charre Marre Waterfalls is a refreshing and offbeat place to visit in the state of Chattisgarh. The tortuous waterfall is 16 meters high and the clear water falling from such a great height is quite a sight to see. The bountiful and pristine Jogidhara river is the reason behind the birth of this mesmerizing and bubbling waterfall. The water meanders through hills and verdant trees producing ear pleasing sounds. The reservoir that forms at the bottom of the waterfall is perfect to take a dip in. The cool water will rejuvenate your soul and body. You can also dangle your feet into the small pond formed at the bottom and spend some peaceful time enjoying the picturesque beauty of this place.

Sirpur

Sirpur is a small village located in the state of Chhattisgarh, situated on the banks of river Mahanadi. It is 35 km away from the Mahasamund district and around 78 km away from the city of Raipur, which is the capital of Chhattisgarh. The village of Sirpur is an archaeological wonder. Inspiration to many architects, this village is rich in its temple culture. A quaint hidden gem, it has a deep connection to the Buddhism world and a treasure for archaeological findings from the 8th century.

There are numerous temples one can visit, and is generally a hub for passionate historians. A look at the historical artefacts and the deep carvings on the walls of the temples have inspired many architects around the world. The Buddhist monasteries of this village are said to be one of the most important and most significant in India. Apart from the rich historical importance and fascinating findings in these villages, there is more to this village. The Chhattisgarh Tourism Board organises a music and dance festival here to promote the Buddhist sites and celebrate its culture. Offering a rare mix of art and culture with different performance and a deep history and evolution of art, Sirpur is a peaceful village filled with wonders.

Mainpat

Mainpat is an underrated hill station with green pastures, deep valleys, breathtaking waterfalls, dense forests and untouched rivulets. The hill station hasn’t been completely commercialised yet and receives a relatively smaller influx of tourists compared to its counterparts. Mainpat is often called as Shimla of Chhattisgarh and Mini Tibet owing to its huge Tibetan population and influence over the area. The Tibetan refugees were rehabilitated in Mainpat after the Chinese invasion of Tibet and have since found a home in Mainpat. That’s another great thing about Mainpat, the confluence of cultures and diverse traditions only add to the picturesque village’s charm.

Madku Dweep

Madku dweep is a beautiful island situated near the silent river, Shivnath, in the Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh. The name Madku stems out from the fact that the island is of the shape of a frog. The beauty of this island is considered to be spell-bounding. The picturesque Madku Dweep has an area of around 24 hectares and is full of greenery. The island is also famous for its ancient temples and their historical and archaeological importance.

Archaeologists have discovered prehistoric stone tools, epigraphs, and coins on this island. Stone inscriptions have also been found, which are believed to date back to the 3rd century BC. One stone inscription was in Brahmi script and another in Shankha script. Madku Dweep is also home to several ancient and unique idols of Lord Shiva, Ganesha, Shiv-Parvati, Nandi and various other Gods. There are temples, both old and new, that are frequented equally by devotees from across the globe. Madku Dweep is popularly known as Kedar Tirth and Harihar Kshetra Kedar Dweep.