Siya-Devi Waterfall (Naragaon, Balod)
(A blog by Jitendra Nakka)
Introduction
Day:
10th September 2016, Time: 8.30 a.m., me and my dear friend Ashish
Gadpale are heading for Balod. Balod is a district which is famous for
its megalithic sites like Karkabhat, Dhanora, karhibhadar, kuliya,
Bhujgahan etc. Numerous archeological sites like Bahadur-kalarin ki
Maachi, Madiyapaat, kukurdev temple etc. still strive to gain their
first name in the field of tourism in Chhattisgarh. Every block of Balod
has its own story, whether it may be archeological ancient temples,
megalithic sites, natural waterfalls, or Huge reservoir and dams. Balod
has everything to prove itself a worthy tourist site. The only thing it
demands is the attention of tourists. One of the most beautiful tourist
sites in Balod is Siya-devi Waterfall.
Picture: Siya-Devi Waterfall
Where and how to reach?
Siya-devi
Waterfall is nearly 16kms away from Balod towards Balod-Charama State
Highway. From Balod, one has to reach Jhalmala, a small town near
district Headquarter,Balod. From Jhalmala, one has to travel 12 kms
towards Balod-Charama SH, lastly followed by a 2-3km journey of kachcha
road(towards left side) to reach our final destination called as
Siya-devi Waterfall.
Picture: Location Map (C) www.mapsofindia.com
Siya-devi WF is approachable throughout all
the seasons of a year, but as the Waterfall receives its flow from a
brook above, Rainy and Early Winters are the season advisable to visit
this beautiful location. Raipur is the nearest railway stations for this
place. In addition, Raipur is the closest airport to this site.
Salient Features
The Jaw-dropping beauty of Siya-devi has the ability to drive attention
of anybody who loves nature. Siya Devi is a holy place named after
Goddess Sita. There are some mythological and legendary stories also
attached with this place.
• Mythological Importance:
This
place comes under Dandakaranya region of ancient times. It is believed
that Lord Ram was tested by Goddess Parvati in the form of Goddess Sita,
to test his loyalty towards His wife, Sita(at the time when he was in
search of his wife, who was forcibly kidnapped by Demon king, Ravana).
Lord Ram recognizes Goddess Parvati and greets her as his mother and
asks the reason for coming in the middle of Jungle all alone. Satisfied
by the loyalty of Lord Ram, Goddess Parvati feels shame for her deed and
discusses all the matter with Lord Shiva and apologizes. Lord Shiva
advises her to settle down at Siya-devi as the incarnation of Goddess
Sita. This is how this place came to known as Siya-devi.
There is
one more belief that the tiger of Goddess here awakes (comes into life)
in night times and protects the holy region. Hence, the statue of tiger
here is fastened here by a thick iron chain.
The waterfall here is
about 15-20 feet high and 35-40 feet wide. A brook near this area
plunges down to a height of about 15-20 feet to make this beautiful
waterfall. As the passage of water falling and flowing down the stream
near down-stream is full of boulders, it becomes easy for tourist to
come quite near to fall and enjoy the beauty of it.
Pic: Siya-Devi Waterfall (Side view)
Pic: Author with his friend Mr. Ashish Gadpale
Pic: Mr. Ashish Gadpale with Waterfall
Another wonder of
this place is the cave nearby left side bank of upstream, which is
actually a joint fracture between rocks which leaves a thin space to
enter inside and has a end outside. Other than Turturiya village of
Bar-Navapara Sanctuary, this place is also famous for Meditation Land of
Maharishi Valmiki and also known as Valmiki Gufa.
Pic:Entrance of Cave (with Author)
Pic: Idol of Maharishi Valmiki near Grotto of Cave outside
Pic:End of Cave
Conclusion:
This
site is a perfect combination of pilgrimage with tourism. This site has
some of the most important temples of the district. People have great
dignity for Siya-devi temple as the holy pilgrimage. And this place is
covered by great density of devotees during Navratri and Maha-shivratri.
As perfect eco-tourism place, this site has great potential to be good
tourist spot.
Picture: Siya-Devi Waterfall (stream passage)
In addition to this, a tourist can also visit Tandula Dam, Ganga Maiya Temple(Jhalmala) and Rani Mata temple(Narra-village) as the nearest temples. Last but not the least, I want to give thanks to Mr. Tulesh Sahu for guiding us to this marvel.
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