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Tirathgarh Waterfalls

Known as Milky Fall.

Chitrakot Waterfall

Known as Mini-Niagara Falls

Bastar Dussehra

They dont burn Ravan, its a different story

Famous Mama Bhanja Temple and Lord Ganesha Idol

Barsur have many more surprises

Chhattisgarh Tribal

Unchanged way of living and let me introduce you to a village!!

About

Kailash caves Jagdalpur


Kailash Cave
(A blog by Jitendra Nakka)
Introduction
Bastar, being a plateau region, serves as the home of some of the most incredibly beautiful valleys namely Bastarnaar Valley, Darbha valley, Keshkaal valley e.t.c. Among these, one of the most beautiful valleys is Kanger Valley National Park. This park is one of the most awaited projects of state of Chhattisgarh, as the Govt. has given a proposal to Central Govt. to make this site as a “Bio-Diversity Heritage site”. It is not just because here we have some of the rarest species of flora and fauna, but because, here we have some of the most exotic natural caves. Although forest department and local people have found more than a half dozen of caves, but for general tourist, only three caves are opened for the sake of security of people. Forest department admits its responsibility to open other caves soon. These three caves are Dandak Cave, Kutumsar Cave, Kailash Cave. Next to Kutumsar Cave, the most desirable cave is Kailash Gufa(means cave).
 
        Figure showing Stalactites

Where and how to reach?

Kailash Cave is reachable from two ways. The first one is NH-16(Jagdalpur-Hyderabad Highway). Just after 28km on NH-16, there is a check-post of Forest department for the entrance of Kanger Valley National Park. After paying nominal charges, one can enter this National Park. After some distance, we can get one guest house of Kanger valley National park. From there, just after travelling 3kms to the way of famous Kutumsar caves, to the left of it, there lies a 12km long road which directly takes us to Koleng forest range no.75. There lies a series of small hills. Among one of this hill, there lies the beautiful Kailash Cave.

       Fig: Way to Kailash Caves (last 6 kilometers) 

The second way or the alternate way is the route from Jagdalpur to Netanaar via Sargipaal, Jaatam, Nangur, kawaali, e.t.c. Right at the entrance barrier of kailash caves (which is around 5km away from the cave)  , we can see one rest house where we can lose our fatigue for a while. Even below the hill where cave is located, we have the facility of rest and water. But as Jagdalpur is the nearest city, you have to get your food and other accessories from Jagdalpur itself.

                                               Fig: Way to Kailash Caves (last 6 kilometers)
Salient Features:

Kailash Cave came into light from 1993, whereas the people say that the local villagers came to know about it very earlier. The actual credit for revealing this cave goes to Forest guard – Sonsay, Rajaram Shivhare, watchman Sitaram, Gang-Superviser Jhaduram Yadav and Range officer Roshan Lal Sahu. Due to dusk, they missed to see it on 18 March 1993, but later, they came again on the site on 22 March, and found this marvel. As they went inside, they got fantasized by a entire world of conical karst structures, and seeing some of the structures as Shivling, they named it as “Kailash Gufa(means cave)”.

                                                 Figure showing the entrance mouth of Kailash Cave

From land surface, Kailash cave is formed nearly 40m above towards the hill. Uptill now, the known length of the cave is nearly 1000ft and the depth of the cave is 120ft. Bending down and entering to a narrow entrance, you can see some stairs made by forest department, for the ease of tourists. Just after entering inside, in the very beginning, before stepping down, I noticed development of some very young buds of stalactites.

Just after entering 100ft down, we can start seeing budding structures of Stalactites and Stalagmites. 

                                                                      Figure showing stalactites and stalagmites

These Stalactites and Stalagmites are generally formed in caverns(a geological term used for caves). As water drips from the roof of a cavern, evaporation leaves a small deposit of Calcium Carbonate (Calcite) behind. Gradually a cone shaped pillar of calcium-carbonate, hanging from the cavern roof develops. Such a deposit is called “stalactite”. Similar deposit also grows from the floors of the caverns where the limewater drops. Such inverted conical-pillar like structure is called “stalagmite”. When a stalactite and a stalagmite meet, a “column” is formed called “dripstone”.

                                                                                Figure showing Stalagmites
 If you can see some broken pieces of a stalactite, you can observe that sometimes in the cavities of rocks, the ground water deposits crystals of quartz, calcite or other minerals. This respective deposit is called “Geode” and structure is called Geode structure.
Going few meters ahead, we can observe the change in shape and size of the cavern as the chamber turns into 25 ft wide and 35 ft long hall, where one can observe greater colonies of budding and developed structures of stalactites and stalagmites.
                                                                                 Figure showing Stalagmites
Just after few meters, it seems like we have came to final chamber, which can be assumed to be 135ft long, 100ft wide and 25ft high. For a tourist coming such a place for the first time, seems like lost yourself in the world of fantasy….a complete new world…something like a dream which came true.  The whitish conical structures play such a magic that nobody can save himself, from getting lost in this dream world. 

Conclusion:
After coming out, people share their experience shouting, screaming, cherishing. Some people may call those conical structures as “Jhumar”, some people may call those dripstones as “elephant nose”, and some may call it as “Bhim ki Gada”. Numerous reactions, but only one wish,-“ I just love it…If ever I’ll get a chance, I’ll come back here again and again.
For the promotion of this valley, Forest department has made watch tower nearby this cave in order to enjoy the broad view of the valley side. Nearby one lake-like reservoir is there, which is called as “Kailash Lake”. Adding to the beauty of this valley, Bhainsa-Darha Crocodile Lake is also worth-seeing site.

Note: A part of this citation has been inspired by Dr. Suresh Tiwari’s book- “Bastar- Paryatan, Itihaas aur Sanskriti “
 


Bailadila Malaangir waterfall


Malangir Waterfall, Bailadila

(A blog by Jitendra Nakka)

Introduction:

There are many places in Dantewada which are worth seeing tourist spots, but we are really ignorant of such areas. The only names which we know are those which are found out years ago and no one are found recently. But hang on guys!! Yeah, there are some areas which are ideal for tourism and had been discovered recently. One such destination of Bailadila is Malangir Waterfall. 

                                                                    Courtsey: Om Soni

Where and How to reach?

Malangir Waterfall is located in the kuwakonda block of Dantewara district. From Kirandul, this exotic place is just 7 kms away in the Kirandul-Essar road. Just before reaching Essar plant, there is one unmetalled road(Kachcha road) on the right hand side to village Nilavaya, which after walking a mile distance leads to this marvel which is called “Malangir Waterfall”.

                                                          Courtsey: www. mapsofindia.com

For the comfort of Tourist, State Govt. has made one beautiful tourist motel house in Haaram (a small village between Geedam & Dantewara). Also the District Forest department has some comfortable rest houses for the official and tourist people. The nearest railway station is Kirandul (nearly 18kms away). For food and meals, Kirandul can be suitably opted. And if you are in search of some good and cozy boarding and lodging, then Jagdalpur can be your best option and has the capacity to offer some great holiday tourist packages all around Bastar.

                                                                 Courtsey: Om Soni

The best time to see this waterfall is the season from the end of rainy season to the mid of summers i.e. from mid of October to March. In the rainy season, it displays its most rapid, thrilling and beautiful form, but the width of fall decreases at the time of summers.

Salient Features: 

Guided by well-made metalled roads (pakka road) of Bailadila, we reach up to Essar plant of Bailadila, where a small muddy but beautiful passage takes a tourist to small valley like situation where a brook called  Malangir river falls from a height of around 60-70 feets and forms a waterfall called Malangir waterfall. 

                                                                    Courtsey: Om Soni

As the river is not perennial, the water level decreases in the summer season, but gains its original form, at the time of rainy season. And so the waterfall swells and gains its actual form at the mid of rainy season and forms a tributary of Shabari river at kerlapaal village of Konta tehsil of Sukma district.

Conclusion:

So, if wanna visit this soothing, refreshing waterfall,……..if you wanna visit some of the virgin marvels of Bailadila……………Do visit Malangir Waterfall.


(Note: A part of this citation is inspired from the facts given by Dr. Suresh Tiwari. I pay my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Suresh Tiwari for inspiring me by writing such a great book- “Bastar-Paryatan, Itihaas  aur  Sanskriti”.I also extend my thanks to Mr. Om Soni for helping in getting data and photographs of this area.)







Barsur saat dhaar waterfall

 Saat-Dhaar Waterfall, Barsur

(A blog by Jitendra Nakka)

Introduction

A district of divine pilgrim……..a district of history……… a district of archaeology……….. a district of customs and tradition……… a district of bull-hump shaped series of mountains……….a district of waterfalls………what else can be a better metaphor for the district of Dantewada. If ever heard about any waterfall of district of Dantewada, the first name which comes in mind is the waterfall of “Saat-dhaar”. 
                                                                   Courtsey: Om Soni

Where and How to reach?

Saat-dhaar waterfall is located around 8 kilometers away to the north of main city of Barsur. After reaching Saat-dhaar bridge, we have to walk over to a couple of kilometers more following the stream flow of Indravati river.
                                                     Courtsey: www.mapsofindia.com

Barsur is located 22kms away from Geedam towards Jagdalpur-Bijapur road. Just after a couple of kilometers from Geedam towards Bijapur, there is a metalled path moving right and leads to the lush green valley and passage of Barsur. Barsur is located 99kms away from Jagdalpur towards Bijapur. From Raipur, its nearly 400 kms away. 
                                                               Courtsey: Om Soni

The city of Barsur is approachable throughout all the seasons of a year. But to enjoy watching this waterfall, you can opt the month from October to February. The nearest railway station is Geedam. But for better lodging and boarding, Dantewada and Jagdalpur can be your best option. 

Salient Features:

Starting from Kalahandi of Orissa, Indravati rivers traverses miles of distances to reach Barsur, where a little suspended and a little deposited, the stream flow has to go through a lot of boulder placers. And due to these placers, you can walk through and enjoy the stream water and placer view also. The area is full of greenery and here, Indravati swells to its most widest form, which after flowing along a mile of distance, disperses into seven small streams and again plunges down to again show the gigantic width of Indravati. 
                                                                   Courtsey: Om Soni

Watching a major stream dividing itself into seven smaller streams, again regaining its form, will make u spellbind, such that u never wanna come back again. Just sit at the site, and enjoy this marvel. This phenomenon of divinding of a river and regaining its actual form is called “braiding”. It’s a kind of geological phenomenon.

Conclusion: 

If ever you get a chance to visit this marvel, please don’t think the bridge to site of waterfall, as the bridge too is called as Saat-dhaar bridge. Do take a walk of couple of miles more, ‘coz then only you will be able to see the marvel of Saat-dhaar waterfall. 
                                                                    Courtsey: Om Soni

(Note: A part of this citation is inspired from the facts given by Dr. Suresh Tiwari. I pay my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Suresh Tiwari for inspiring me by writing such a great book- “Bastar-Paryatan, Itihaas  aur  Sanskriti”.I also extend my thanks to Mr. Om Soni for helping in getting data and photographs of this area.)

Samloor Mahadev Temple


Samloor Mahadev temple
(A blog by Jitendra Nakka) 

Introduction
  
There are many untrodden places in Chhattisgarh which are yet to be discovered, and among these places, one such place is Dantewada. Dantewada is the land of many stories, mysteries and a great past.
Past……. which is the evidence of some responsible events happened during the pre-historic period……Past……..which is the proof of some responsible events during the mythological period…….Past……which is the proof of some unique architecture and sculpture during the ancient and medieval history. So…..one such destination where you can see a perfect combination of ancient art & sculpture, and mythology is the ancient Shiv temple of Samloor Village of Dantewada.
                                                                Courtsey: Om soni

Where and How to reach?

Samloor village is situated on the Geedam-Bijapur road(formerly NH-16). Around 9 km after Geedam, there is one unmetalled road(kachcha road) which goes to Samloor after 3km. On the east of this village, there is one big pond, on the bank of which, there lies the beautiful ancient temple of Lord Shiva. 

                                                                   Courtsey: Om soni
                                                              Courtsey: Om soni

As this place is very near to Geedam, Samloor is approachable directly from Geedam. Chhattisgarh tourism board has made a good guest house in the village of Haaram, in the middle of Geedam-Dantewada road. For the ease of tourist, there is one rest house of forest department also, there in Dantewada. It is advisable to take meal from Geedam, as this place very near to Samloor and is a very important trade centre of South Bastar.

Importance:

Mythological Importance:

According to Vedic belief, making Pond/Reservoir leads to Salvation, hence in the olden days, people were conscious about making water bodies. Hence near all the major archeological places, you can see a no. of water bodies.

According to our mythological belief, once there lived a demon king, Banasur who was a great worshipper of Lord Shiva. It is believed that he used to bath in this holy pond and used to do Morning Prayer in this temple.

Historical Importance:

According to Archaeologists, the dynasty of Gang vansh and Chhindak Nag vansh were great admirers of art and sculpture and near the adjoining areas of Barsur(as Samloor too comes near the archeological town of Dantewada), they built a lot of ponds and temples including the areas of Nelasnaar, Bade Tumnaar, Samloor e.t.c. The temple of Samloor too seems to look alike the temples of Barsur, denoting the same age of formation. It is believed to have probably built around 10th Century A.D.

Religious Importance:

The Mahadev temple of Samloor holds great importance in the surrounding areas, as they had great faith in Lord Shiva and here, a big fair occurs on the occasion of Maha-shiv-raatri. 

Art and Sculpture:

This temple has a huge shivling of something around 2.25 feets and has a circumference of around 3 feets. The temple gives an impression of square like formation. The different style of encarvings can be hardly observed in this temple. The roof of the garbha-griha is quite high upto more than 20feets. But as this is hardly visited and maintained by archeological department , the temple is slowing becoming weathered and ruined and still strives for attention.
                                                                       Courtsey: Om soni

                                                               Courtsey: Om soni

Conclusion:

Here near the bank of Indravati, there are a lot of relics which are still to be explored, but this is just the beginning. This temple comes under Archeological Survey of India, Raipur and still hides a great past, a great mystery to be revealed. The basic need is to go for more analyzed research. Here you can also visit the temple of Goddess Kolkaamini, who is considered the deity of the local people.

 

                                            
                                           Mata Kolkaamini temple  Courtsey: Om soni

Phoolpaad Waterfall, Bailadela, Dantewara

Phoolpaad Waterfall, Bailadela, Dantewara
(A blog by Jitendra Nakka)

Introduction

Chhattisgarh is the home of one of the most mesmerizing valleys, enchanting mountains, inviting rivers, wonderful caves and some of the most exotic waterfalls. It’s something like, even GOD too would say, -“man….!! I have given something great to this land”. And that’s nature at its best.
Chhattisgarh comprises of some of the most untrodden valleys, some of the rivers about which very few people are known, some of the waterfalls which are still virgin. Let’s move on to the southern part of Chhattisgarh which is the actual crown of tourism of this state. Whether may be the matter of culture, history or tourism, Bastar is rich in everything, in every aspect. Talking about Bastar, the first thing which comes in mind…are the beautiful falls of Tirathgarh and Chirakote and the wonderful caves of Kutumsar. But…….the word”Bastar” denotes a full division comprising of 7 districts with God gifted natural beauty. And one such beautiful destination is “Phoolpaad” waterfall (फूलपाड़ जलप्रपात) of Dantewara district.
Phoolpaad Waterfall
Courtsey: Sarit Kumar Watti
Where and How to reach?
Phoolpaad is located in the kuwakonda block of Dantewara district. From Kirandul, this exotic place is just 18 km away in the Kirandul-Palnaar road. There is one more way to reach this place. On the way from Dantewara to Bailadela, there is a triangular square which divide the path to Sukma and Bailadela from Dantewara. Going ahead to this route, we have to cross the villages like Nakulnaar, Palnaar. After 5kms to Palnaar, we can observe the beginning of a small valley called Aranpur Valley (अरनपुर घाटी ). In the laps of this valley, there is one small village called “Phoolpaad”. Just after 2kms from this village, there is rainy brook which falls from a great height and form this beautiful waterfall.
chhattisgarh district
 Courtsey: www.mapsofindia.com

                  Fig: A scenic view of Beautiful Aranpur Valley at Phoolpaad waterfall

For the comfort of Tourist, State Govt. has made one beautiful tourist motel house in Haaram (a small village between Geedam & Dantewara). Also the District Forest department has some comfortable rest houses for the official and tourist people. The nearest railway station is Kirandul (nearly 18kms away). And if you are in search of some good and cozy boarding and lodging, then Jagdalpur can be your best option and has the capacity to offer some great holiday tourist packages all around Bastar.
The best time to see this waterfall is the season from the end of rainy season to the mid of summers i.e. from mid of October to March-April. In the rainy season, it displays its most rapid, thrilling and beautiful form, but the width of fall decreases at the time of summers.
Salient Features:
Just on the way to reach this beautiful waterfall, walking down the meadows, you can start hearing the roaring of this marvel. Because this stream is a not perennial river, and depends on rain for its recharge and discharge amount, it roars immensely with a great sound and great amount of water at the time of rainy season. 
                              Fig: Phoolpaad waterfall          photograph by: Om Soni
As you reach near to this fall, you can feel that this rainy stream falls from a great height of nearly 125 feets(approx.) and forms this mesmerizing waterfall. Tourist who all have visited this fall share their experience with joy, smile and contentment. Some of them told that it seems to be falling from a height greater than that of Tirathgarh.
The route for going downstream seems a little risky. But the young daredevils can try their best through the help of surrounding forest (trees and bushes). In the end of this fall, we can observe one reservoir where this stream water gets collected. But as this stream flows down to a forest area, after sometime, it seems disappearing from our sight. Due to its beautiful look, local people used to call it “Phoolpad Indul” (फूलपाड़ इंदुल ).
Conclusion:
Being a known tourist place by the local guys, the mesmerizing marvel still strives for the attention of people. Earlier local bodies made stairs and tried to develop it, for the ease of tourist to reach this wonderful tourist spot, but the ignorance is so much that this spot still search for its position, its name and fame. It too depends upon the state Govt. also to search and develop such places as the budding tourist spots for the betterment and development of this area.
So if you say- “size does matter”; if you wanna visit one of the most virgin waterfalls of Chhattisgarh, do visit Phoolpaad waterfall.
Note: A part of this citation is inspired by the facts given by Dr.Suresh Tiwari. I pay my reverence for such a great writer of this soil for writing such an interesting book called “BASTAR – Paryatan, Itihaas, aur Sanskriti”.
Do like and +1 post along with your valuable comments this will keep me motivated....



Amravati Shiv temple

Amravati Shiv temple
(A blog by Jitendra Nakka)


Introduction

Sometimes some areas get hided, sometime some regions get abandoned, sometime some places get lost…..if you have an interest, a zeal to discover, to search , to find something new…..hold on !!!…there are a lot of uncertainties, a lot of secrets, a lot of mysteries hidden in the laps of a place called BASTAR. Bastar is not just a place, not just a district, not just a division, in fact it’s a saga of great past of royal dynasties, prosper art and culture and a series of developed civilization.
Have you ever heard of a temple which is a combination of half made of bricks and half carved on rocks? Mmmm……the answer may be either “yes” or “no”. Well, if the answer may be “yes” also, the no. of such creations might be countable in fingers all over in India. One such divine destination is the Amravati Shiv Temple.
Amravati Shiv TempleFig: Picture showing front view of Amravati Shiv Temple

Where and how to reach?

Amravati is a small village situated 20kms away on the east of District Headquarter Kondagaon. Kondagaon is nearly 75 kms to the North of Divisional Headquarter Jagdalpur. As for Lodging and Boarding, the perfect destination is Jagdalpur, where there are numerous hotels provide all comforts and ease with some exciting packages for the tourism of the surrounding areas of Bastar (Division). From Raipur, Kondagaon is nearly 225 kms away in NH-30(earlier called as NH-43).
Map chhattisgarh
Courtsey: www.mapsofindia.com

Archeological and Religious Importance:

It is interesting to know, that Bastar was the land of some great dynasties who contributed a lot to its art and culture. Either may be Nal Dynasty, or may be Gang Dynasty, may be Chhindak Nagwanshis, or may be Kaktiya Dynasty……each dynasty adored some areas of Bastar and developed them in the best way they can. Among them, one of the earliest dynasties found in Bastar Division was Nal Dynasty (04th – 07th Century A.D.), which adored the surrounding areas of Kondagaon upto the mid-way of Narayanpur and led the foundation of great temple series of Vishnu, Gobarhin and Banjarin.
This temple of Amravati is an abode of Lord Shiva which is represented by centrally placed very ancient Shiv-ling along with great ancient monuments of Lord Vishnu, Uma-Maheshwar, e.t.c. In the areas of Garh-dhanora, there are some ancient idols found which seems to be of the age of Nal Dynasty having the same resemblance as that of the idols found here in Amravati temple (according to my perception”). This temple is of much importance as this area receives high attention of the local and surrounding area people. On the occasion of Shiv-ratri, one has to face a huge rush of worshippers, followers and devotee peoples in order to once have a view of Lord Shiva (shiv-ling).
shiv lingFig: Picture showing Centrally Placed Shiv-ling in the Amravati Shiv temple
There is need of much research work to be done on the area of Kondagaon, as the area suffers lack of enough historical data to bring out a clear picture. Currently, it’s not a protected monument and still strives for the attention from Archeological Survey of India.

Art and Sculpture:

The temple shows a unique combination of two style of temple formation together to form a single temple. From the front side, we can observe the temple part formed by bricks (might have been built later than the rocky part). In the back side, we can observe a beautiful but nearly devastated temple part formed out of large pieces of rocks which, as told by the fellow villagers, has been used as roof which stands out by the help of small rock pillars. The rocky roof, is in oval shape, and as told by the fellow villagers, is meant as the form of natural shiv-ling formed there by the grace of Lord Shiva himself.

rock temple
Picture showing rocky part of temple bulging out over the later built brick temple part


rocky temple
Picture showing the back view of the temple showing the rocky temple part

In the temple we can observe many idols which resembles with the style of sculpture and way of formation we have seen in the areas of Garh-dhanora where a lot of archeological monuments had been found by Archeological Survey of India, indicating the age of the Garh-dhanora monuments to of the age of 4th – 7th Century A.D. But as this temple has still not received the attention of Archeological Survey of India, the assumption of exact age of this temple and the actual creator(dynasty) of this temple is very “uncertain”.
Inside temple, we can observe a long idol of Lord Vishnu which has a unique style of art where a cloth starts from one wrist , then goes to thighs and ends back to wrist of another hand (seems like similar to the idols of Lord Vishnu, one can observe in Garh-dhanora) .
antique Lord VishnuPicture: An antique monument of Lord Vishnu.... Photograph by: Ambala Sidhart

It is interesting to know that here we can also observe 3 different styles of idols of Uma-Maheshwar with different carvings at the place of their jewels, symbols, and the animals on which they sit.
Uma MaheshwarFig: Collection of ancient idols of Uma-Maheshwar carved out in different styles
ancient idol Uma MaheshwarFig: Picture showing idol of Uma-Maheshwar with their symbols denoted above their heads
idol Uma MaheshwarFig: Picture showing idol of Uma-Maheshwar


antique Uma MaheshwarFig: Picture showing idol of Uma-Maheshwar

From the first view of temple from front and outside, it will give you a look of normal temple having a “gumbad” in its top, but….when you enter inside, you feel like in a different world with a cave like internal look.
cave templePicture: Roof gives the impression of a cave like formation
Going back down to forest nearly 150-200m, we can observe one idol of Ganesha which is around 2.5 ft of height. Again going back to Ganesha idol, we can observe some more temples like of Durghani mata and Bavadi mata(this temples have been built in 1962).
lord ganeshFig: Picture showing idol of Lord Ganesha on the back side of Amravati Shiv Temple

Conclusion:


So if you wanna visit one of the finest examples of a shrine , one of the divine abode of Lord Shiva, if you wanna fill youself with divine look of a temple, if you wanna fill yourself with thrill and enthusiasm being like in a cave. Do bow your head on Amaravti Shiv Temple.