CHHATISGARH TRAVEL GUIDE
Chhattisgarh State largely consists of plateaus streaked with high range of
Satpuras in the North, the river Mahanadi and its tributaries in the Central
Plains and the Bastar Plateau in the South. The Past (Hills) give rises to the
main river systems- Mahanadi, Hasdo, Sheonath and Indravati.
Intersected by these meandering rivers and dotted with hills and plateaus, the
state has varied natural settings of great beauty. To the north of river Shivnath
there were 18 garhs belonging to the Kalchuris and to the South there were another
18 garhs belonging to the Kalchuris of Raipur. Hence, the total of these 36
Garhs (Forts) formed the basis of naming this region as Chhattisgarh. Chhattisgarh
lies between 17 - 46' to 24 - 5' North and 80 - 15' to 84 - 20' East. It covers
an area of 1,35,133 Sq. kms. bordering six other states - Uttar Pradesh and
Jharkhand in the North, Orissa in the East, Andhra Pradesh in the South, Maharashtra
in the South West and Madhya Pradesh in the North West.
Although the newly formed state came into existence on 1st November 2000, its
cultural heritage is as ancient as Stone age. In ancient times Chhattisgarh
was known as Dakshin Koshal. Geographical evidence of the place is found in
the Ramayana and the Mahabharat. Lord Rama entered Dandkarnaya from North-East
of Koshal and spent some of his exile (forest-living) period here. In Mahabharat's
Rajsoo Yagya episode the description of Dakshin Koshal has been found. In historical
records in Samudragupta Prayag eulogy, description of Kosal has been found.
After the sixth century evidence of political insurgence of Dakshin Koshal has
been found.
From Sixth Century to mid-twelve century Sarabhpurnima, Panduvanshi, Somvanshi,
Kalchuri and Nagwanshi rulers dominated the region. The various documents, Copper
plaques, coins, and archeological goods apprise us about the cultural heritage
and political development of that time. In contemporary history evidence of
ancient people has been found in the hills of Raigarh, Singhanpur, Kabra, Basnajhar,
Boslada and Ongana mountains at "Chitwandongri" in Rajnandgaon district.
The stone equipment made and used by ancient people have been found from the
coasts of Mahanadi, Mand, Kanhar, Manihari, and Kelo River.
The rock-paintings of Singhanpur and Kabra mountains are quite famous among
contemporary painting due to variety and style. Among remains of historical
age, traces of bone, animal burial has been found in abundance in Raipur and
Durg districts. Along with archaeology, the culture of Chhattisgarh is also
quite famous. The tribal Kanwars, Kamar, Baiga. Halba, Korea, Pando, Birhai,
Biniwar make the atmosphere cheerful by their dance and song, on the occasion
of marriage and other festivals. The rice-bowl Chhattisgarh land has unique
eroticism and Sweetness.
Apart from the mesmerizing dances songs of Dadra, Pandwani, Karma, Panthi and
Suva, the region has National parks/Sanctuaries and has places of archaeological
and religions importance such as Sirpur, Rajim, Malhar, Sita Bengra, Jogibhatta,
Deepadih, Dantewada and Dongargarh where tourists come automatically. The ancient
deposits of Chhattisgarh and Jain religion memorials are found at Malhar, Sirpur,
Maheshpur and Arang. Innumerable monuments, finely carved temple, vihars, forts
and palaces raise in the visitors mind visions of dynasties and kingdoms of
great warriors and builders, of poets and musicians, of saints and philosophers,
of Hindusim, Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, and Islam.
Saint Guru Ghasidas of Satnami samaj, Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya of vaishnav
samaj and the great poet and saint Kabirdas also hails from this state. The
celebrated chinese traveler Huein Tsang visited the state in the middle of 7th
century A.D. Nearly half (44%) of the state is forested and offers a unique
panorama of flora and fauna. The national parks of Kanger Valley and Indravati,
the Sanctuaries of Udanti, Sitanadi, Barnawapara, Achanakmar, Gomardah, Tamorpingla
etc.
Offer the rare opportunity to see the wild buffalo, gaur, tiger, leopard, singing
maina and wide variety of antelopes in sylvan surroundings. A variety of tradition
in each of three geographical and cultural regions of Baghelkhand plateau, the
plains of Mahandi basin, and the Dandkarnaya plateau of Bastar Have added colour
to the states rich cultural tapestry, making it a many splendor land.
Madhya Pradesh
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