Noise is unheard of here. Only sound of chirping birds, gushing streams, the bountiful waterfalls & drumming sound soothes the ear in Bastar. A visit to this tribal district of Chhattisgarh is surely once in a lifetime experience!
The tribal villages have winding mud roads running through the typical tribal houses made entirely of mud with thatched or red tiled roofs. Each village tends to specialise in a particular kind of handicraft - pottery, bell-metal work or iron-work. The district capital, Jagdalpur is a tiny spot, which most of the urban tourists might be oblivious of. Within a radius of 200 Km from Jagdalpur are forests of Keshkal, princely states of Kawardha and Kanker,kondagaon, Nagarnar and Narayanpur towns.
The tribals are a bit shy, but friendly - they are as curious to see visitors as visitors themselves! Shy they may be but they will extend a warm welcome only if they feel that they are not treated as objects of exhibition.
Gond, Abujmaria, Bisonhorn, Maria, Muria, Halba, Bhatra, Parja and Dhurvaa are the main tribes of Bastar. Each tribe has its own history, social & religious customs and distinct culture of music, food and dress. Dance is an important part of tribal culture in Bastar. There are various forms of tribal dances in Bastar, which include Saila, Suwa and Karma dance. All the forms of these folk dances involve complex footwork and are characterised by their robustness & earthiness.
Besides the tribal experience, this green paradise has many other facets to it.
The tribal country losing oneself in the tribal songs and beating of drums is sure shot way to get away from it all. Bastar simply spells magic.
While the lush green valleys & mountains, bountiful streams & waterfalls make it a traveller’s paradise; the mythological significance adds to the aura of Bastar. In the iconic Indian epic ‘Ramayana’ Sage Valmiki had described this forest region as ‘Dandakaranya’, where Lord Rama is said to have spent about 13 years in exile. The royal tribes, the age-old art forms, the Arcadian lifestyle, the caves, waterfalls and the mythological significance make it a must-have travel experience.
› Places to see in Bastar |
Bastar in Chhattisgarh has a plethora of options, from National Parks, to caves, waterfalls, palaces, museums & religious/mythological places; there is no dearth of unique travelling experience. The astounding wilderness and abundant fauna make it the ideal place for nature lovers and wild life enthusiasts. A number of cascading waterfalls further add to the enchanting appeal of Bastar. |
All the forests in the region abound in rare species of birds & reptiles. Kanger Valley National Park: Declared a National Park in 1982, the park is located 27 Kms from Jagdalpur on the banks of Kholaba river. Wildlife here includes Panther, Tiger, Bear, Snake and many species of Deer. Indravati National Park: This Park derives its name from the Indravati River, the largest & most important river of Bastar. Animals found here include Tiger, Wild Buffalo, Nilgai, Flying Squirrel and Barking Deer among others. Bairamgarh Wildlife Sanctuary: This sanctuary abounds in Chital, considered the most beautiful of the Deer species. They are found roaming in open grasslands as well as dense forests. Bhainsa Darha: 63 Kms from Jagdalpur, this lake (where River Kanger flows into) is spread over nearly four hectares in the thick bamboo forests. Crocodiles and Tortoises add to its glory. |
The region has abundant waterfalls which range from zig-zag trickles to roaring falls that are comparable to the best in the world. Bastar is known for its famous Chitrakoot falls, one of the most beautiful of all the waterfalls. Smaller waterfalls include Kanger Dhara near Kutumsar, Mandra, Chitradhara, Tamada,khadakghat near kondagaon and Dhoomar. Although smaller, each one surrounded with greenery is a treat to the eye. Chitrakoot Waterfalls: 50 Kms from Jagdalpur is the crescent moon shaped Chitrakoot waterfalls, one of the finest in India. It is often compared with the Niagra falls of the US for its shape & sheer beauty, even though it is smaller. River Indravati plummets down from the Vindhya mountain ranges to form the spectacular waterfall.  Tirathgarh Waterfalls: 32 Km from Jagdalpur, Tirathgarh is famous for this waterfall that drops into Mugabahar river. On descending down the steps, a grand view of the falling sheets of water that falls from a height of 50 metres awaits you. A panoramic view of the waterfalls and surrounding forests from the watch tower would entice you to visit again.  Mandra Falls: Located 12 Kms away from Jagdalpur, this smaller yet enchanting Mandra Waterfalls leaves the visitor stunned. Chitradhara: 19 Kms away from Jagdalpur in Potanar village of Lohandiguda, lies this small but captivating waterfall.  Dhoomar: Bask in the richness and beauty of this perennial waterfall which is truly dramatic especially towards the end of monsoons when the river is at its rampageous best. Khadakghat: 3 kms away from kondagaon  |
By Rail: Mahoba (64 km) and Harpalpur (94 km). Jhansi (175 km) and Satna (117 km) are the nearest railheads. By Road: Jagdalpur is connected to Vishakapatnam, on a route that passes through virgin forests with breath-taking valley-views and Raipur which is on the main Howrah-Mumbai line. • NH 6 runs west-east from Nagpur in Maharashtra to Orissa where it branches off to Kolkata and Bhubaneshwar. • NH43 (one of India's best-laid National Highways) runs north-south from Kawardha through Raipur to Jagdalpur and out to Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. The roads in Chhattisgarh are generally very good - wide, clean, smooth and virtually free of traffic. Even the smallest villages are linked. All places of tourist interest are connected by good, motorable roads. |
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