CHHATTISGARH

Chhattisgarh is a heavily forested state in central India known for its temples and waterfalls. Near the capital Raipur, the town of Sirpur on the Mahanadi River is home to the red-brick Lakshmana (Laxman) Temple, decorated with carvings from Indian traditions. In the south, the city of Jagdalpur hosts the Sanjay Market on Sundays, a bartering place for local tribes. The huge Chitrakoot Falls lie to the northwest.

It is a leading producer of minerals such as coal, iron ore and dolomite. Moreover, considerable reserves of bauxite, limestone and quartzite are available in the state. The state accounts for 35.4% of tin ore reserves of India. Chhattisgarh is the only state in India that produced tin concentrates.

Top places to visit:

1. Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary

The Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Baloda Bazar Bhatapara district. The reserve is about 100 km from Raipur and about 45 km from Mahasamund city. It was established in 1976 under the Wildlife Protection Act. The Jonk River flows through the sanctuary, which is a tributary of the Mahanadi river. The Bandipur National Park is the most popular among all the national parks in South India. It is a natural home to Elephants and several other endangered species.

2. Shri Rajiv Lochan Mandir

The Rajiv Lochan Vishnu Mandir is an ancient Vishnu temple located at Rajim. A 7th century CE inscription recording the construction of the temple, and dated to the reign of the king Vilasatunga, has been found here. Vilasatunga probably belonged to a branch of the Nala dynasty. This temple is a notable example of Panchayana Shaili (Architect). The temple structure is supported by twelve towered columns embroidered with stone carvings, which bear the faces of the various gods of the Hindu mythology. The temple is an important religious construct visited by devotees from all over the globe who arrive to offer their prayers to the Lord Vishnu.

3. Danteshwari Temple

Danteshwari Temple is temple dedicated to Goddess Danteshwari, and is one of the 52 Shakti Peethas, shrines of Shakti, the divine feminine, spread across India. The temple built in the 14th century, is situated in Dantewada, a town situated 80 km from Jagdalpur Tehsil, Chhattisgarh. Dantewada is named after the Goddess Danteshwari, the presiding deity of the earlier Kakatiya rulers. Traditionally she is the Kuldevi (family goddess) of Bastar state. The temple is as according legends, the spot where the Daanth or Tooth of Sati fell, during the episode when all the Shakti shrines were created in the Satya Yuga.

4. Chitrakot Waterfalls

The Chitrakote Falls is a natural waterfall on the Indravati River, located approximately 38 kilometres (24 mi) to the west of Jagdalpur, in Bastar district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. The height of the falls is about 29 metres (95 ft). It is the widest fall in India, reaching a width of nearly 300 metres (980 ft) during the monsoon season. Because of its width and its widespread horseshoe shape during the monsoon season, it is often called the "Niagara Falls of India".

5. Rajeev Smriti Van

Built in memory of Former Prime Minister LT. Rajeev Gandhi, this place is a unique Ex- situ conservation site. Built over a huge area of 14 acres, this Van was developed to create public awareness towards conservation of Nature. The unique feature of Rajeev Smriti Van is that everything over here runs on Solar Energy, this is a must visit place mainly if you are travelling with your kids. It gives a marvellous view and explains about the nature, trees and environment.