How to reach
Jagdalpur is in Chattisgarh state and is 303 Km South of the state capital Raipur and 313 Km north-west of the urban city of Vishakhapatnam. The nearest airports and railheads are Raipur and Vishakhapatnam. Hyderabad is 565 Km from Jagdalpur. The best time to visit is between the months of November to June. During the monsoons the caves are closed for visitors as water fills in them.
Places to see
The Indravati river is the largest and the most important river in Bastar. Almost half of Bastar is under forest cover, and the region is full of dense jungles full of bamboo, sal, teak wood, sheesam and bija. High mountains, valleys, streams, waterfalls, natural caves, and natural parks abound. Jagdalpur, the district headquarters, is a small town, easily explorable on foot. It is green and beautiful.
Bilaspur
Bilaspur is known for its kosa silk and the quality of its rice. It is the second largest city in Chhattisgarh, and home to its High Court .
Ratanpur - There are the ruins of an old fort here. This has an attractive stone sculpture over the frame of the Ganesh gate. The entrance has Shiva's Tandav Dance and statues of Lord Bramha and Lord Vishnu. Inside, there are the Sitchourai and Jagarnath temples.
Mallhar (Saravpur) - The Pataleswar Kedar Temple is one of them - the Gomukhi shivling is the main attraction here. The Didneswari Temple, belonging to the Kalchuri regime, is also worth visiting. The Deor Temple has artistic idols
Dhamtari
Dhamtari is situated in the fertile plains, irrigated by the Mahanadi river and Sendur, Pairy, Sondur, Joan, Kharun and Shivnath - its tributaries. Dhamtari has a number of dams.
Dantewada
Dantewada, to the south of Bastar, derives its name from its presiding deity, Devi Danteshwari, the Goddess worshipped as an incarnation of shakti (strength). Dantewada's forests are home to several species of wildlife, including 2 that are native to the area - the Pahadi Maina and the Wild Buffalo. The area is inhabited by several tribal groups, including Maria, Muria, Dhurwa, Halba, Bhatra, and Gonds. Dantewada is extremely mineral rich. Bailadila has one of the largest deposits of Iron ore in the world. Barsoor is located on the banks of the Indrawati river was once an epicentre of Hindu civilization.
Durg
It is rich in forests and mineral resources. Bhilai Steel Plant is here who is a major exporter of steel. Maitry Baugh has a zoo cum children's park, maintained by the Bhilai Steel Plant Management. White tigers are the main attraction here.
Jashpur
Jashpur is home to the Oraon tribe, many of whom have converted to Christianity. The Kotebira Eb river is a very pleasant river with attractive scenery, a rocky spot and the end point of a range of hills. The Danpuri Waterfall is a picturesque waterfall is in the middle of the forest. Kunkuri Cathedral is Asia's second largest Catholic church.
Janjgir
It is a major producer of foodgrains. Kaleshwarnath Mandir, this is on the banks of the river Hasdeo. The temple of Tripur Sundar Devi, is surrounded by forests and mountains. The Damudhara (Rishabtirth) has natural waterfalls, caves, the Ram-Janki Temple, Radha-Krishan Temple and Rishavdev Temple.
Kanker
Kanker is full of small hilly pockets. 5 rivers run through it - Doodh, Mahanadi, Hatkul, Sindur and Turu. The Gadiya Mountain is a natural form of a fort, this mountain has a tank that never dries. Shivani Temple is the temple which has one of just 2 statues in the world that is half Goddess Kali and half Goddess Durga.
Korba
Korba is a center of production of Kosa , a lightweight fabric with a sheen that makes it a favourtie for making casual garments as well as club wear.
Koriya
Koriya, formerly a princely state, is endowed with mountains, valleys, plains and rivers. It is rich in mineral resources, especially coal, and has abundant wildlife too. Amrit Dhara Waterfall is a beautiful natural waterfall on the Hasdo River. There are lots og waterfalls here.
Mahasamund
Mahasamund has plentiful granite, limestone, dolerite and quartz resources. Sirpur here is known for its Buddhist Vihars. Laxman Temple is one of the finest brick temples in India and other temples are also found here
Raipur
It is the biggest city in the region, fast developing into an important industrial center for large and middle scale industries. Turturiya village, on the banks of the Turturiya spring (also called Sursuri Ganga), is surrounded by forests.
Rajgarh
It is famous for Dhokra - the craft metalware created by hot wax casting and Silk - is tussar and mulberry, and is of high (export) quality.
Rajnandgaon
Rajnandgaon is home to the Gond, Kanwar, Halba and Baiga tribes, who make up one fourth of the area's population. They live in dense forestsin far-flung areas and their main source of livelihood is tendu leaf collection and cultivation of minor forest products.
Surguja
Temple carvings and archaic ruins date the history of this place to the era before Christ (BC). Mainpat is a hill station is known for its Tiger Point waterfall and woolen fabric.