Chattisgarh

The name Chhattisgarh is not ancient and has come into popular usage in the last few centuries. In ancient times the region was called Dakshin Kosala. All inscription, literary works and the accounts of foreign travelers, call this region Kosala of Dakshin Kosala. According to Hari Thakur, the contest between Jabalpur and Chhattisgarh for the name Mahakosala is settled beyond doubt in favour of Chhattisgarh in the light of available evidence. Even during the reign of the Mughals, it was called Ratanpur territory and not Chhattisgarh.

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.

According to a mythological legend, Ram, during his Vanvas stayed in Dakshin Kosala. Which is modern day Chhattisgarh. The unbroken history of Chhattisgarh or of South Kosala can be traced back to fourth century AD and its mythological history goes back as far back as the Mahabarata and the Ramayana.

About the history of the region the famous historian C.W.Wills writes, 'in the 10th century AD a powerful Rajput family ruled at Tripuri near Jabalpur, Issuing from this kingdom of Chedi (also known as Kalchuri dynasty) a scion of the royal house by the name Kalingraja, settled about the year 1000AD, at Tuman, a site at present marked only by a few ruins in the north east of the erstwhile Laphazamidari of The Bilaspur district.

His grandson Ratanraja founded Ratanpur Which continued as the capital of a large part of the country now known as Chhattisgarh. This Rajput family called themselves the Haihaya dyanasty.

This dynasty continued ruling Chhattisgarh for six centuries about the 14th century it split into parts, the elder branch continued at Ratanpur, while the younger settled in semi-independent state at Raipur.

At the end of 16th century it acknowledged the suzerainty of the Mughals, In Bastar, in the middle ages, Chalukya dynasty established its rule. The first Chalukya ruler was Annmdev, who established the dynasty in Bastar in 1320 .

The Marathas attacked Chhattisgarh in 1741 and destroyed the Haihaya power. In 1745 AD after conquering the region, they deposed Raghunathsinghji, the last surviving member of the Ratanpur house.

In 1758, the Maraths finally annexed Chhattisgarh, it came directly under Maratha rule and Bimbaji Bhonsle, was appointed the rule. After death of Bimbaji Bhonsle, the Marathas adopted the Suba system.

The Maratha rule was a period of unrest and misrule. There was large-scale loot and plunder by the Maratha army. The Maratha officials were openly surrendering the interests of the region to the British.

As a result of this, the region became extremely poor and the people began resenting the Maratha rule. Only the Gonds continued to resist and challenge the advances of the Marathas and this led to several conflicts and much animosity between the Gonds and the Marathas (Captain Blunt, 1975). The Pindaris also attacked and plundered the region in the beginning of the Nineteenth Century.

Places to See:

Raipur

All the important Towns of the Region like Bhilai (25 km), Durg(41 km), Jagadalpur (297 Km), Rajnandgaon(70 km), Bilaspur (115 km) Jabalpur (369 km) and Bhopal(712 km) are connected with Raipur by Road.

Visitors can also go to Hirakud Dam near Sambalpur and Puri (Orissa) by Road

Raipur offers an attractive altenate Road route to Kanha National Park and enroute the traveller may also visit Bhoramdeo too.

Bastar

This Divine Land is also enriched with Natural Beauty which makes it a paradise for tourists.

The deep forest area between bushes and bamboos where one always feel the absence of sunlight , wide and thick forests , between high mountains cool flowing streams , sky-touching mountains , caves , high waterfalls , and in the valleys the spread of greenary and in between this , the huts made by bamboo sticks, the fearless life style of the tribals and their culture, one's heart and mind would be filled with new wonders and pleasure.

Champaran

The village is identified with Champaranya, the birth place of the Saint Vallabhacharya, the reformer and founder of the Vallabh Sect for whom this place has religious sanctity. A temple was constructed in honour of Guru Swamy Vallabhacharya. Near to this Temple, there is the temple of Champakeshwara Mahadeva.

Cities Of Interest:

Jagdalpur

Places of Interest