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Go Chhattisgarh: 5 Surprises From My 5 Days Road Trip

The sole purpose of a traveler is to stumble upon something which is hidden or less known and the passion to explore defines a true traveler. Chhattisgarh, in Central India, is the abode for such passionate travelers who only long for surprises all the way . As they say, Chhattisgarh is full of surprises where one can encounter an extraordinary range of such experiences during a road trip in Chhattisgarh that redefines the awesomeness. So, the thought of exploring the Chhattisgarh triggered an unprecedented excitement as the roads to this tribal hinterlands are indeed the road less travelled.

So when, I finally embarked upon a road trip across Chhattisgarh, I solely wanted to to capture the unexplored and also to equip myself with myth breaking facts. There is all-pervasive myth that Chhattisgarh is not safe for traveler and I wanted to break this unpleasant myth built around #MYCHHATTISGARH. And after a 5 days trip with fellow travelers, I can vouch that it’s safer than many top destinations across globe.

So, my this road trip took me to places such as Barnawapura Wild Life Santuary, Sirpur the city of ruins, Chitrakote Waterfall, Tirathgarh Water fall, Dantewada, Banks of River Mahanadi, Royal Palace of Kanker, The Mystical Town of Barsur and Tribal Planet Bastar, exposing varied nuances of Chhattisgarh.  During this roadtrip, we traveled on best tarmac road everyday and each mile of road was passing thru lush green paddy field.

Roads of Chhattisgarh: First Myth Breaking Experience

The entire Chhattisgarh looks like as if walking thru the aired episode on National Geographic Channel. We explored many distinctly new vistas; however, in this blog post, I would highlight 5 astonishing places one from each day. So, here comes five ultimate places to experience from #MYCHHATTISGARH.

Road Trip in Chhattisgarh

Day 1: Barnawapara Wild Life Sanctuary

Every drop in the mobile network was giving way to a greener and intense landscape signaling our proximity to the jungle. We were headed to the Barnawapura Wildlife Sanctuary off the route on Raipur-Kolkata Highway, 90 KM from Raipur. Our arrangements were done By Chhattisgarh Tourism Board at Hareli Eco Resort situated inside the Sanctuary. The unavailability of mobile signal ensured that we fully get soaked in the vastness of the nature right in the middle of world’s one of the densest and oldest Forrest. Under these exceptional circumstances one can only spend time in admiring the verdurous surrounding and we did exactly the same which in itself was a long forgotten experience..

Hareli Eco Resort at Barnawapara
Landscape from Sanctuary

This wildlife sanctuary spread in 250 SQKM encompasses small rivulets, hummocks, reservoirs and is also home to Bison, Leopard, Sloth Bears, Wild Dogs etc. During the jungle safari, we passed through verdant landscape which I never found anywhere in recent times and enjoyed the pristine surrounding full of Teak, Saal, Mahua and Bamboo trees.

Jungle Safari at Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary

For me, the best part of this forest trail was when we hit upon a water-body which was abode of standing white dead tree of Sal and Sagaun making the entire scene somewhat mystically astonishing. The reflection of these dead trees on the water made the entire setup look enchanting and left me speechless. This was the first hidden gem of the Chhattisgarh that was lying unfolded before me.

A Pond inside Sanctuary with Dead Trees: Mesmerizing and haunting!!

And finally, we came back to resort when Sun was spreading its golden rays and the small lake next to Resort was the best point to click golden hour clicks.

Golden Hour Shot of the Lake next to Hareli Resort in Barnawapara
Candid Wilderness. Photo Credit: Chhattisgarh Tourism Board

And during night, the severe quietness of the place and the absence of the mobile network reminded me of Desert Camping in Thar Desert of Rajasthan. The dense forest had its own charming characteristics such as the Musical Jugalbandi from crickets and frogs attributing a voice to the looming darkness all around.

Road Trip in Chhattisgarh

Day 2: Soaring Surang Tila in the City of Ruins, The Sirpur

Home to one of the oldest brick temples of India, 7th century Laxman temple, Sirpur is a quiet and quaint village on the right bank of Mahanadi and some 80 km east of Raipur. In last many decades, excavation has unearthed The Ancient Town of Sirpur, the capital of the Somwanshi Rulers, has found its mention in the inscriptions dating around 6th Century AD. This place which now can earn the sobriquet of The City Of Ruins was an imperative centre for Buddhist Scholars around 6th to tenth century AD.  This town, testified by Hiuen Tsang’s travelogue as a place of 100 monasteries where 10000 scholars used to reside, is the latest entrant in the Buddhist circuit of India and have been blessed by of HH Dalai Lama.

Lord Buddha at Anand Vihar, Sirpur, Chhattisgarh
Baleshwar Temple Complex, Sirpur

History specialists and Archaeologists are gapingly charmed by the presence of statues and other remains belonging to the distinct Shaiva, Vaishnava, Jain and Buddhist religion at one place and hence it is also famous as Archaeological wonder where excavation work is in progress since many decades unfolding surprises.  And for travelers, it’s like to be a part of on-the-walk engrossing history lecture with live exhibition of the historical elements which are yet to be chronicled.

Intricate Carvings depecting the cultural richness of Sirpur

Riverside and Ghats of serene Mahanadi are complementary charm of Sirpur and adds distinct aura to the heritage of the town.

Golden Hour: Mahanadi River in Sirpur

In Sirpur, the most famous places to visit are Laxman Temple, Gandheshwar Temple, Baleshwar Mahadev Temple Complex and excavation sites of and around Teevardev Monastery and Anand Vihar. However, I found myself most intrigued with a massive structure which is yet to find its place in the travelers’ itinerary and it was The Grand Surang Tila,  A Magnificent Temple devoted to Shiva. If Sirpur is the goldmine of the History then Surang Tila is the rare Black Diamond found in the goldmine. The grand aura that this structure oozes is not just awe-inspiring but bewitching too. This pyramid-shaped temple, one of its kind in India, has a courtyard on the top with broken pillars and shrines. The earthquake hit stairs has added a unique and distinct twist to the structure.

The Surang Tila, Chhattisgarh

Surang Tila: Shiva Temple. One of the highest pedestal temple of Inida

The Surang tila is a Shiva temple and there four different types of Shivlingas on the top of pedestal – White, Black, Red and Yellow. White was to be worshipped by Brahmin, Red by Kshatriya as he deals with blood, Yellow by Vaishya as he deals with Gold and Black by Shudra; however, they are equally revered by all.

Surang Tila: At the top of the high raised platform

The high pedestal of 8 meter height made of blocks of White Stones has put this at par with Konark Temple and Bhojpur Temple. This gob smacking structure must have been a significant religious institution of Sirpur in its prime time.

High Pedestal Surang Tile of Sirpur

Visit to Sirpur is bound to make every traveler feel sad for we could not keep our history intact, for we could not properly chronicle our heritage, for we were all dependent on foreigners to tell us about our ancestors, for some of us still don’t find pride while visiting such places.

Road Trip in Chhattisgarh

Day 3: Exploring Chitrakote Water Fall, Chhattisgarh

After a night stay at Hieun Tsang Resort, we hit the road to Chitrakote which was to be the high point of this junket. Our first stop was the Royal palace of Kanker where our lunch was arranged by The Royal Family. The palace was located amid the green forest cover and is still being resided by the royal family of the Kanker. On our arrival we are welcome by the Prince Jai and his Wife. We were shown may royal artifacts and also a guided tour of the palace was undertaken by us.

Kanker Palace: A Heritage Homestay

Chitrakote Water Fall, Chhattisgarh

As we reached Chitrakote, our heart was all-out after seeing the first glimpse of famed Horse-Shoe-Shapped Chaitrakote Water Fall, The Niagara of India. The King of waterfalls in Chhattisgarh, Chitrakote Waterfall is formed by the Indravati River in the South Vindhya Ranges. The exceptional Chitrakote Fall looks more amazing in breadth than in height. With the gush of water, breadth changes and attains a peak of around 150 meters during monsoon and thus making it the broadest waterfall of India.

Chitrakote Water Fall. Photo Credit: Chhattisgarh Tourism Board

After dinner, along with Avanish, Akanksha, Paranashree and Swayam, I spent leisure time on the waterfall site for two hours up to midnight.  We all were so glued and overwhelmed with the beauty for we might have spent whole night appreciating the sheer grand appearance of this gushing waterfall. Roaring sound of this cascading beauty was a soothing lullaby and I really wanted to fall asleep on the rocks.  Time spent at the site of waterfall was a treat of ecstasy, when intrigued inner soul took over the mundane.

Chitrakote Fall in late evening: Long exposure shot.

During three-day stay at beautifully landscaped Dandami Resort right next to Chitrakote Water fall, I visited the site of Chitrakote Water fall thrice at three different times of day, first at late evening upto midnight, second early morning and third during twilight hours. Every time this natural wonder threw a different spell of charm, every time it was difficult to leave the site, every time shades of color were astonishing, every time love for this place amplified and every time I could sense a soul-elevating adrenaline rush within myself.

Chitrakote Fall in Morning Hours
A Sadhu Baba at Chitrakote Fall: His face speaks thousand words.

Road Trip in Chhattisgarh

Day 4: Barsur, Ancient Town of 147 Temples and 147 Ponds

After three days of awesome experiences, while I was really excited for what more could this state offer and then we met Mr. Avesh Ali the encyclopedia of Bastar. And he took us to Barsur – The Ancient Town of 147 temples and 147 ponds located 100 KM from Jagadalpur on the banks of Indravati river. This sleepy village was the crown capital during the Nagvanshi Ruler around 800AD. We visited three ancient temple structures and all of them were unique and not heard of before depicting the cultural richness and glory of bygone era.

Temple of Twin Ganesha, Barsur

First we visited 600 years old Temple of Twin Ganesha, where Lord Ganesha has taken the posture of a warrior. he temple encloses two mammoth idols of Lord Ganesha that have been carved out of single rock pieces. The bigger sculpture is almost 2.5 metres in height. This temple was built by warrior kings of Naga Clan as they worshipped Ganesha in warrior form and it has a Tantrik Sadhana angle also to it. The compelling size of twin idols has acquired a lasting impression on mind-space that the warrior Ganesha will be a part of lifelong memories.

Twin Ganesha at Barsur

Battisa Temple, Barsur

Second Temple we visited was Battisa Temple: This temple derives its name from the fact that the temple is supported on 32 pillars and hindi translation of 32 is Battis. This pedestal temple houses two similar shrines i.e. sanctum sanctorum of God Shiva. Ruler of Naga Dynasty constructed this temple with identical shrines inside one temple for his two queens to demonstrate his equal love for both. However, The most astonishing feature is the flat roof top which is unique to this temple, Rarest of rare feature in temple architecture developed in India. It’s a must visit temple when in Barsur.

Battisa Temple at Barsur
Flat Roof Top of Battisa Temple, Barsur, Chhattisgarh

Mama Bhanja Temple, Barsur

The third temple that we visited was the legendary Mama Bhanja Temple. And the legend goes like this:

“Mama i.e. the uncle was the ruler and his Bhanja i.e. Nephew started the construction of this Vishnu Temple which Made the Mama feel insecure. Mama asked Bhanja to stop the construction work but Bhanja refused and finally they announced war on each other to establish the supracy. Bhanja won the war but was guilt laden and could not complete the Temple. But as a respect to his Uncle who was also a great ruler of people he placed a skull shape stones atop the structure as a tribute.”

Mama Bhanja Temple at Barsur. Photo Credit to Solobackpacker
Skull Stone on the Top: Tribute by Bhanja to Mama. Photo Credit to Solobackpacker

Barsur, these days, is a mere small village but the excavated ruins establish it as very important cultural epicenter under Naga Rulers in 8th Century AD. Once you roam around this town you hear the screeches from every stone seeking an audience from each passerby to tell a story, a piece of undocumented history. So, go there and spend time with these stone, let them spell their charm on you.

Road Trip in Chhattisgarh

Day 5: Tirathgarh Waterfall

As per Mr. Awesh Ali, Chitrakote is a masculine in nature and another cascading wonder Tirathgarh is feminine in Nature. He says so because at Chitrakote Indravati takes a thunderous plunge creating India’s broadest waterfall while at Tirathgarh Kanger River falls down the layers of black boulders with delicate aplomb and thus creates the magical delight for eyes.

If Chitrakote is spread across wide vista, Tirathgarh is well covered with verdant forest all around. Gushing roars of the water announces the arrival of the Chitrakote while to relish the beauty of the Tirathgarh one has to go put in efforts.

Tirathgarh Water Fall: Beauty with Aplomb
Tirthagarh Water Fall: Covered by dense forest of Kanger Valley National park

Chitrakote is a visual treat from distance and evoke adrenaline rush, while once at the bottom of Tirathgarh fall, it takes you in the embrace and fills the mind with beautiful thoughts and blissful feelings. Tirathgarh was the best hidden unexplored gem of Chhattisgarh which was kept for the last day.

Tirathgarh: Enjoying the fall from the Mother Nature’s Lap. Photo Credit to Solobackpacker

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Road trip to Chhattisgarh was full of surprise even to a native like me. Its a true tribal planet which has the potential to rule the travel landscape. So, GO CHHATTISGARH and enjoy the surprises spread all over.

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