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Destinations Take The Road Less Travelled: 10 Must-Visit Natural Attractions In Chhattisgarh
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Take The Road Less Travelled: 10 Must-Visit Natural Attractions In Chhattisgarh

From splendorous waterfalls to wildlife sanctuaries, here are the top 10 natural attractions you must check out in Chhattisgarh.

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By: Karan Kaushik Published: Feb 17, 2022 10:00 AM IST

Take The Road Less Travelled: 10 Must-Visit Natural Attractions In Chhattisgarh
Image: Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of Chhattisgarh

Carved out of neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh leaves nature lovers smitten with its stunning topography. The landlocked state features undulating hills, enchanting waterfalls, and gurgling rivers. Home to some of the most incredible biodiversity hotspots in India, Chhattisgarh is a sheer delight for lovers of the great outdoors. By Karan Kaushik

Must-visit natural attractions in Chhattisgarh

Chitrakote Waterfalls

 

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While most people opine that the magnificent Chitrakote Falls are at their glorious best during the monsoon, the fact is that they are a sheer feast to the eyes any time of the year. The geological attraction is a tourist magnet for Chhattisgarh, thanks to its jaw-dropping beauty. Plunging from a height of around 95 feet, river Indravati plunges from Vindhya Hill into a lush valley. What adds to its charm is the rainbow formation in front of the falls, which occurs as a result of the haze of river water.

Teerathgarh Waterfall

Located at a distance of 35 km from Jagdalpur in the vicinity of the Kanger Valley National Park, this stunning waterfall sources its water from the Kanger River. The place serves as a popular picnic spot for locals who come here throughout the year in droves. The falls were created as a result of a massive earthquake thousands of years ago, which ended in the cliffs getting struck down by a lunar crater. Its milky white frothy waters continue to charm visitors as they cascade down the staircase-shaped rocks.

Kanger Valley National Park

Sprawled over 200 sqkm,  the stunning Kanger Valley was given the status of a national park in 1982. The national park is encompassed by mammoth mountains and deep valleys. It is a mixed humid deciduous forest that serves as a nourishing ground for sal, sagaun, teak, and bamboo trees. A habitat for Chhattisgarh’s state bird Bastar Maina, the national park is also famous for its significant population of the Malabar giant squirrel. Wildlifers also manage to spot species like Indian gaur, sambar, and barking deer, among other animals.

Mainpat

Also touted as the Shimla of Chhattisgarh by locals, the quaint and leafy town of Mainpat is the state’s only hill station. Perched at a height of 3781 feet above sea level, Mainpat offers amazing views of the Vindhya range of mountains. Mainpat’s picturesque beauty peeks during the winter and monsoon seasons. Encompassed by dense forests, the hilly hamlet has remained untrammeled. A prime attraction here is the Buddhist Temple, which was built to provide shelter to Tibetan refugees in 1962. Other attractions include Sarbhanja Waterfall, Elephant Point, Mehta Point, and Fish Point.

Hasdeobango Dam

The longest and widest dam in Chhattisgarh, Hasdeobango Dam was constructed in 1961-62 across the Hasdeo river. Located at a distance of 72 km from Korba, the dam was the first multi-purpose water project in the state. The dam’s wide catchment area and the massive reservoir are surrounded by lush greenery, making it an ideal picnic spot. Also known as Bango Dam, the place can be reached after a blissful drive that takes you through canopied roads lined by tribal settlements and lush fields. When here, you can enjoy a boat ride with your loved ones, or simply unwind in Nature’s lap.

Amritdhara Falls

Did you know that there’s a district in Chhattisgarh that shares its name with one of the world’s biggest superpowers? Chhattisgarh has its own Korea, a slow-paced town blessed with its own share of natural attractions. Falling from a height of 90 feet, the majestic Amritdhara Waterfall is one such attraction. Home to a Shiva temple, the waterfall enjoys mass popularity among locals, especially college students, who come here to enjoy with their friends. Every year, the Shiva temple also hosts the Amritdhara Festival, which is attended by pilgrims from all corners of the state.

Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary

This lesser-visited sanctuary stores some of the best wildlife surprises for the patient wildlife lover. Dotted with trickling streams, frothy waterfalls, and dense forests of teak, tendu, mahua, and sal, the sanctuary is home to species like jackals, deers, wild rabbits, and boars. The prime wildlife attraction is the Indian gaur. Few visitors have even been fortunate enough to run into a leopard. The sanctuary is a permanent playground for avid birders and wildlife photographers, thanks to its rich avifaunal biodiversity.

Achanakmar Tiger Reserve

 

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Perhaps the second-most popular tourist attraction after the Chitrakote Falls, the Achanakmar Tiger Reserve is one of the two tiger reserves that call Chhattisgarh home. Spread over an area of around 914 sqkm, the wildlife sanctuary is a part of the Bilaspur forest division. It was established in 1975 and boasts bamboo, bija, tinsa, saja, and sal trees. The sanctuary lies close to Amarkantak, from where the river Narmada originates. It is the only place in Chhattisgarh where you can spot tigers if you are lucky enough. Giant squirrels, chinkara, bison, and hyenas can be easily spotted here.

Kailash Caves

The Kangar Valley National Park is home to three exceptional caves. These include Kutumbasar, Dandak, and Kailash Caves. However, the one that attracts all the attention for valid reasons is the Kailash Cave. It’s the oldest cave in the state, featuring an incredibly unique limestone structure. The cave gets its name from the Shivalinga-shaped limestone structure and the stalactites and stalagmites formations, which renders it a shape similar to Mount Kailash. The cave was discovered in 1993 and are a major attraction for Shiva devotees and geology enthusiasts.

Rakasganda Waterfall

 

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Located in the Surguja district, Rakasganda Fall is another popular waterfall that blesses the landscape of Chhattisgarh. The waterfall plunges from the Ren River into a 100 m long narrow pond. The nearest major town to this tourist attraction is Ambikapur, which lies at a distance of 150 km. The waterfall serves as a nice picnic spot. It’s great for budding landscape photographers too. Rakasganda Fall is best visited between April and June.

Related: Take The Road Less Travelled: Here’s Your Complete Travel Guide To Mizoram

Written By

Karan Kaushik

Karan Kaushik

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