TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN BASTAR
District Bastar (Jagdalpur – district headquarter) is a stunning component of Chhattisgarh tourism. You will find a number of historical remains, natural beauty and fascinating folk culture in Bastar. For your convenience, we have put together a quick preview of the best tourists places in Bastar, you must visit!
But first, here is a little about Bastar along with some frequently asked questions about Bastar.
Bastar, India’s Tourism District
Bastar is in the southern region of the state of Chattisgarh. It is flanked by Kanker district in the North, Dantewada in the South, Orissa in the East and Maharashtra in the West.
The district Bastar is blessed with plenty of mineral resources. It has a rich natural beauty that comprises of beautiful green valleys, resplendent rivers, cascading waterfalls and dense forests. From wildlife to greenery, history and heritage, you can find it all here at Bastar.
Bastar is well connected by roadways and the Indian Railways.
Some of the rivers in Bastar include Indravati, Mahanadi, Sabari and Shankhini, etc.
The majority of the population found in Bastar comprises of tribals.
You can spot Tigers, Panthers, Wild Pigs, Hyenas, Jackals, Rabbits, Snakes, Water Birds, Pheasants, and Dragon Flies at the Kanger Valley National Park.
Must-Sees: Popular Tourist Spots
DID YOU KNOW? There are many places to see and sights to visit during your stay in Bastar. In fact, Bastar is home to a mixed bag of attractions that appeal to travellers. So let’s take a look!
AMAZING WILDLIFE IN BASTAR
KANGER VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
If you have an inherent love for nature, you will thoroughly enjoy your visit to the Kanger Valley National Park. It’s because this national park houses a diverse range of fauna and wilderness.
Most importantly, the valley stretches across 34 km. In addition, it is abundant with Sal and Teak forests and the region is named after the Kanger River.
INDRAVATI NATIONAL PARK
The second on our list of best tourist places in Bastar is the Indravati National Park. It is named after the river Indravati and consists of green forests and varied fauna. These include Tigers, Squirrels, Wild Buffalos, and Nilgai.
Are you looking for peace and serenity? Then you should experience the beautiful Indravati National Park on your next visit to Bastar in Chhattisgarh!
CASCADING WATERFALLS IN BASTAR
CHHITRAKOTE FALLS / CHITRAKOT WATERFALLS
If you are in Bastar, especially between July and October, you must visit the picturesque Chitrakot waterfalls on the river Indravati. It is one of the best tourist places in Bastar.
About 38 km from Jagdalpur, the dynamic Chitrakote falls are approx. 96 ft high. And they have an interesting horseshoe shape.
Once you have a look at these majestic falls, you will understand why the Chitrakot are compared with the great Niagra falls.
Other prominent waterfalls in Bastar include the Mandra Falls, Lankapalli, Chitradhara and Tamra Ghomar, etc.
TIRATHGARH FALLS
Found in the Kanker River, the Tirathgarh Falls is located 39 km south-west of Jagdalpur. Most importantly, it is a must-see when in Bastar.
ADVENTUROUS CAVES IN BASTAR – BEST PLACES TO VISIT!
KUTUMSAR CAVES AND KAILASH GUPHA
Your trip to Bastar is incomplete without checking out the mesmerizing caves of Kutumsar and Kailash Gupha. These caves are in the Kanger Valley National Park, about 35 – 40 km south-west of Jagdalpur.
An interesting feature you can enjoy watching is the natural stalactites and stalagmites within the caves.
The Kutumsar caves are the second largest caves in the world. Certainly, the common belief is that you can see a beautiful Shiva Linga at the end of the Kailash cave which is considered holy by the tribal.
The other caves in Bastar include the Dandak Cave and other smaller caves such as Kanger, Karpan, and Devgiri. Most importantly, there are forest guides available to assist you in finding your way around.
MUSEUMS AND HERITAGE OF BASTAR
Another important feature in the list of tourist places in Bastar is its museums.
The most famous museum in Bastar is the Tribal Museum by the Anthropological Society of India, located in Jagdalpur.
Here you will find on display many interesting items that can attract the attention and interest in tourists.
Some of these include tribal handicraft items such as terracotta, bamboo and woodcraft, bell metal and wrought iron, etc. In addition, cotton fabrics are also quite popular.
POPULAR FESTIVALS IN BASTAR
Dusshera is the most famous festival in Chhattisgarh. In fact, it is devoted to the Goddess Devi Danteshwari and members of all the different tribes celebrate this festival with fanfare and high spirits.
Other festivals in Bastar include the Chariot procession, the Bhagoriya Festival and the Madai festival. Most importantly, it involves the sacrifice of a goat to the Goddess.
Your Stay in Chhattisgarh
In addition to hotels in Jagdalpur, you can also stay at the Government-run Rest Houses during your stay in Bastar, Chhattisgarh.
IN CONCLUSION
A visit to Bastar promises wonderful experiences for the avid traveller. So, we suggest that you plan your next holiday in this region. Certainly, the experience will stay with you for a long time!
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Photo by Jeffrey Eisen on Unsplash