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About
Chhattisgarh |
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Chhattisgarh is a state in Central India. It is the 10th
largest state in India, with an area of 135,190 km2 (52,200 sq
mi). With a population of 25.5 million, Chhattisgarh is the
16th most-populated state of the nation. Chhattisgarh accounts
for 15% of the total steel produced in the country. It is a
source of electricity and steel for India. The green state of
Chhattisgarh has 41.33% of its area under forests and is one
of the richest bio-diversity areas in the country.
Chhattisgarh is located in the heart of India and is gifted
with a rich cultural heritage and attractive natural
diversity. The state is full of elegantly carved temples,
Buddhist sites, ancient monuments, rare wildlife, palaces,
hill plateaus, caves, rock paintings and water falls. Most of
these sites are untouched and unknown and offer a distinctive
and alternate experience to tourists, compared to traditional
destinations which have become overcrowded.
The state was formed on 1 November 2000 by partitioning 16
Chhattisgarhi-speaking south-eastern districts of Madhya
Pradesh. Raipur was made its capital city. Chhattisgarh
borders the states of Maharastra in the south-west, Andhra
Pradesh in the south, Odisha in the east, Madhya Pradesh in
the north-west, Uttar Pradesh in the north and Jharkhand in
the north-east. Presently the state comprises 27 districts.
Dance
Rawat Nacha, Pandwani, Kaksar, Panthi, Karma, Chaitra, Soowa
and Saila are some indigenous dance styles of Chhattisgarh.
Religion
There were 22.8 million people in Chhattisgarh as per the
census 2011 of which 98.30% were Hindu, 1% Muslim and 0.7%
Christian.Chattisgarh now has the highest Hindu percentage in
the world by state. |
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History of Chhattisgarh |
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Ancient and medieval history
In ancient times, this region was known as Dakshin-Kausal. This
area also finds mention in Ramayana and Mahabharata. Between the
sixth and twelfth centuries, Sarabhpurias, Somvanshi, Kalachuri,
Panduavanshi, and Nagvanshi rulers dominated this region.
Kalachurisruled in Chhattisgarh from 980 to 1741 AD.
Modern history
Chhattisgarh was under Maratha rule (Bhonsales of Nagpur) from
1741 to 1845 AD. It came under British rule from 1845 to 1947.
Raipur gained importance over the capital Ratanpur with the
advent of the British in 1845. In 1905, the Sambalpur district
was transferred to Odisha and the estates of Sarguja were
transferred from Bengal to Chhattisgarh.
The area which constitutes the new state merged into on November
1, 1956, under the States Re-organization Act and remained a
part of that state for 44 years. Prior to its becoming a part of
the new state of Madhya Pradesh, the region was part of old
Madhya Pradesh State, with its capital at Nagpur. Prior to that,
the region was part of the Central Provinces and Berar province
under the British rule. Some areas constituting the Chhattisgarh
state were princely states under the British rule, but later on
were merged into Madhya Pradesh. |
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Language of Chhattisgarh |
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The
official language of the state is Hindi and is used by non-rural
population of the state. Chhattisgarhi, a dialect of Hindi
language, is spoken and understood by the majority of people in
Chhattisgarh. Telugu is also spoken in parts of Chhattishgarh.
Chhattisgarhi was known as "Khaltahi" to the surrounding
hill-people and as "Laria" to Sambalpuri and Oriya speakers.
Kosali and Oriya are also spoken by a lot of people. Bhojpuri is
also spoken by a lot of people. |
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Culture and Crafts of Chhattisgarh |
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Culture
The state hosts many religious sects such as Kabirpanth,
Satnami Panth, Ramnami Samaj and others. Champaran
(Chhattisgarh) is a small town with religious importance
as the birthplace of the Saint Vallabhacharya,
increasingly significant as a pilgrimage site for the
Gujarati community.The Oriya culture is famous in the
eastern parts of Chhattisgarh bordering Odisha.
Crafts
Chhattisgarh is known for "Kosa silk" and "lost wax art".
In addition to salwar suits and saris, the fabric is used
to create stoles, lehengas, shawls and menswear including
jackets, shirts, sherwanis and achkans. International
sculptor, Sushil Sakhuja's Dhokra Nandi is well-known and
available at government's Shabari handicrafts emporium,
Raipur. |
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Climate of Chhattisgarh |
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The
climate of Chhattisgarh is tropical. It is hot and humid because
of its closeness to the Tropic of Cancer and its dependence on
themonsoons for rains. Summer in Chhattisgarh temperatures can
reach 45°C (113°F). Chhattisgarh receives an average of 1,292
millimetres (50.9 in) of rain. The monsoon season is from late
June to October and is a welcome respite from the heat. Winters
are pleasant with low temperatures and less humidity. Winter is
from November to January and it is a good time to visit
Chhattishgarh.
Temperature
The temperature varies between 30 and 45 °C (86 and 113 °F) in
summer and between 0 and 25 °C (32 and 77 °F) during winter.
However, extremes in temperature can be obsevered with scales
falling to less than 0°C to 49°C. |
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Tourist Attractions of Chhattisgarh |
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Temples
Famous and ancient temples in Chhattisgarh are Bhoramdeo temple
near Kawardha in Kabirdham district, Chandrahasini Devi temple
at Chandrapur, Deorani-Jethani temple at Tala gram and Mahamaya
temple at Ratanpur in Bilaspur district, Uwasaggaharam Parshwa
Teerth at Nagpura in Durg district, Bambleshwari Temple at
Dongargarh in Rajnandgaon district, Vishnu temple at Janjgir,
Rajivlochan temple at Rajim and Champaran in Raipur district,
Damudhara (Rishab Tirth) and Sivarinarayana Laxminarayana temple
in Janjgir-Champa district, Danteshwari Temple in Dantewada
district, Patal Bhairavi temple in outer area of Rajnandgaon,
Laxman temple at Sirpur in Mahasamund district, Pali with Lord
Shiva temple and Kharod with Lakshmaneswar temple.
Caves
Kotumsar cave and Kailash Gufa in Bastar district, Gadiya
mountain in Kanker district, Ramgarh and Sita Bengra in Sarguja
district and Singhanpur cave in Raigarh district with
pre-historic paintings are very famous.
National parks and wildlife sanctuaries
Gamarda Reserve forest at Sarangarh in the Raigarh district,
Kanger Ghati National Park in the Bastar district, Achanakmar
Wildlife Sanctuary in the Bilaspur district, Indravati National
Park, Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary in the Mahasamund district,
Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary in the Raipur district and Sitanagi
Wildlife Sanctuary in the Dhamtari district are good places for
eco-tourism.
Archaeological sites
Archaeological sites worth seeing are Sirpur in Mahasamund
district, Malhar and Ratanpur in Bilaspur district, Barsoor in
Dantewada district, and Surguja in Surguja district. A small
picnic spot with waterfall on the edge of Satpura ranga.
Hot spring
Are known as Taat Pani, (taat means hot, pani means water) the
hot spring flows in balrampur district. This hot spring flows
throughout the year. It is supposed to have medicinal properties
due to high amount of sodium in it.
Waterfalls
Beautiful waterfalls in Chhattisgarh are Amrit Dhara waterfalls
and Akuri Nala, Gavar Ghat waterfall, Ramdaha waterfall in
Koriya district, Chitrakot and Tirathgarh waterfalls in Bastar
district and Tiger point waterfall at Mainpat in Sarguja
district.
Giraudhpuri
Giraudhpuri is a religious place for the Satnamis. They
are the followers of Satnam Panth.
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How to Reach Chhattisgarh |
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By
Rail
Chhattisgarh is linked with good railway network. Bilaspur and
Raipur are the two major railway stations, which connect it to
major cities and towns of India.
By Road
The National Highways (NH) 6, 16 and 43 connect all the major
cities and towns of Chhattisgarh to other parts of the country.
By
Air
Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh, is the only airport in
the state. The Indian Airlines connect the city with Delhi and
Nagpur by daily flights. |
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