Chhattisgarh: Major Cities and Tourist Places | Chhattisgarh State PSC (CGPSC) Preparation: All subjects - CGPSC (Chhattisgarh) PDF Download

Major Cities

Raipur

• Raipur District lies in the fertile plains of the Chhattisgarh region. It is bordered by Bilaspur District to the north, Bastar District and part of the state of Odisha to the south, Raigarh District and another part of Odisha to the east, and Durg District to the west. 
• The district occupies the southeastern part of the upper Mahanadi valley, along with the bordering hills in the south and east, dividing it into two main geographical areas: the Chhattisgarh plain and the hilly regions.

Jagdalpur

• Jagdalpur, surrounded by green mountains, deep valleys, dense forests, waterfalls, and caves, is the administrative center of Bastar District and Division. It was once the capital of the former princely state of Bastar. 
• The city and its surrounding areas form a significant portion of Bastar District and are well-known for their traditional wooden handicrafts, which are highly sought after by both local and international tourists.

Champa

• Champa is a city located on the banks of the Hasdeo River in the Janjgir-Champa district of Chhattisgarh, India. In 1998, a political controversy arose over the district's name, which was eventually resolved as "Janjgir-Champa."
• Champa is famous for its Kosa silk, as well as its gold and brass metal works. The city has several large industries, including Madhya Bharat Paper Limited (MBPL), Prakash Industries Ltd., and CSPGCL’s Marwa Power Plant, with many mega power projects currently under construction. 
• The Kosa silk trade is primarily handled by the Dewangan caste, who import Kosa (Tassar silk) yarn from China and Korea to create silk shirtings and sarees. They also produce yarn from Kosa cocoons and make Khadi shirtings, exporting these products to various Indian states and countries like the U.K., U.S.A., and Brazil.

Ambikapur

• Ambikapur is a city and the headquarters of Surguja district, one of the oldest districts in Chhattisgarh, located in east-central India. 
• Ambikapur also serves as the divisional headquarters of Surguja Division, which includes the districts of Surguja, Korea, Balrampur, Surajpur, and Jashpur.

Chirmiri

• Chirmiri is a city in the Koriya district of Chhattisgarh, known for its coal mines. The town is recognized as the site of Asia's second-largest crane.
• The religious devotion of Chirmiri's residents is evident in the numerous temples found in the area. The town's rich coal deposits have contributed to the development of a coal industrial belt in the region.

Rajnandgaon

• Rajnandgaon District was established on January 26, 1973, after being separated from Durg District. The Rajnandgaon region was historically ruled by the Somvanshi, Kalchuri, and Maratha dynasties. 
• The area was originally named Nandgram. The palaces in Rajnandgaon tell the stories of its rulers, their culture, and the rich traditions of the time.

Naya Raipur

• Naya Raipur is the newly planned capital city of Chhattisgarh, designed as one of the world's first integrated cities, with provisions for future expansion and infrastructure upgrades. 
• Located between National Highway-6 and National Highway-3, it is about 17 km from the current city of Raipur. Swami Vivekananda Airport is situated between Naya Raipur and Raipur. 
• Naya Raipur consists of 41 villages that have been renovated with modern facilities such as roads, parks, and water pipelines. It is India's sixth planned city, following Jamshedpur (Jharkhand), Bhubaneshwar (Odisha), Gandhinagar (Gujarat), Chandigarh (Punjab & Haryana), and Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra), and the fourth among capital cities.

Durg

• Durg District is located on the east bank of the Shivnath River and is a symbol of Chhattisgarh’s industrial development, cultural richness, social harmony, and resourcefulness. 
• The district represents both the heritage and modern progress of Chhattisgarh. Bhilai, often referred to as “Mini India” for its industrial growth, social harmony, and cultural diversity, is a twin city of Durg. 
• The establishment of the Bhilai Steel Plant in Durg District has opened vast opportunities for industrial development, making the district a hub of various productive activities.

Bhilai

• Bhilai is a major travel destination in central India, located in Chhattisgarh. With support from the Russian government, India's second steel plant was established here, leading to the development of a modern city around the steel plant. 
• Today, Bhilai has become an important educational center, catering to the technological education needs of the region.

Bilaspur

• Bilaspur, one of the major cities in Chhattisgarh, holds significant historical importance. 
• Located in the eastern part of the state, Bilaspur is nearly four centuries old. Known as the “Rice Bowl of India,” Bilaspur is rich in greenery and offers numerous tourist attractions.

Korba

• Korba is situated at the southern part of the Churi hills, in the north-central part of Chhattisgarh, encompassing the Katghora and Korba tehsils of Korba District. 
• The average elevation of this basin is about 250-350 meters. The Bango Dam, built in Korba for irrigation, supplies water to the Korba, Janjgir-Champa, and Raigarh districts. 
• Korba and Champa are well-known for "Kosa," a special type of silk used to produce some of the finest cloth in the world. This silk, known for being light and shiny, is used to make kurtas, sarees, shirts, salwar-suits, and other garments for both party and casual wear.

Tourist places in Chhattisgarh

Chitrakote Falls

• Located 38 km from Jagdalpur, Chitrakote Waterfalls plunge from a height of 96 feet. During the season, the waterfall spans over 1000 feet in width, creating a horseshoe-shaped cascade. 
• The surrounding forested area provides breathtaking views, earning it the nickname "Niagara Falls of India."

Bhoramdeo Temple

• The Bhoramdeo Temple is intricately carved from rocky stones in the Nagar architectural style. It bears a resemblance to the Sun Temple at Konark and the Khajuraho temples, which is why it’s often referred to as the "Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh."
• The temple is adorned with 54 erotic sculptures on its outer walls, depicting poses from the "Kama Sutra," symbolizing eternal love and beauty. 
• The Nagwanshi Kings, believed to be practitioners of Tantra, likely performed various rituals here, as indicated by traces of turmeric on the walls.

Maitribagh

• Maitribagh is a vast park that includes a large zoo, serene lakes, gardens, a musical fountain, a tall tower called Pragati Minar, and a toy train named Maitri Express for children. 
• The park's lush greenery, musical fountain, and vibrant flower beds attract visitors from all over. The Maitri Express operates in the zoo from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with tickets priced at Rs. 5, and free for children under three.
• The musical fountain on an artificial lake features jets of water that dance to instrumental music, illuminated by colorful lights, offering a spectacular visual experience.

Teerathgarh Falls

• Teerathgarh Falls is located in the Kanger Ghati area of Bastar district, about 35 kilometers southwest of Jagdalpur. 
• It can be accessed from Darbha, near the state highway connecting Jagdalpur to Sukma. 
• Nearby attractions include the Kutumsar Caves and Kailash Gufa, all situated within Kanger Ghati National Park.

Kawardha Palace

• The Kawardha Palace is a stunning monument located about 140 km from Raipur. 
• Designed and constructed by Maharaja Dharamraj Singh between 1936-39 AD, it features Italian marble and stone, spread across 11 acres of lush, landscaped gardens. 
• The palace is set against the picturesque Maikal hill ranges and is an excellent example of a blend of Italian, Mughal, and Colonial architectural styles.

Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary

• Situated in Bilaspur district, Chhattisgarh, the Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1975 and designated as a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger in 2009.
• It forms part of the Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve.

Kailash and Kutumsar Caves

• Located in Bastar, these caves are popular tourist attractions within the dense forests of Kanger Valley National Park, near the Tirathgarh Waterfalls. Discovered in 1993, the Kailash Cave, situated on a small hill, stretches about 100 meters. 
• The Kutumsar Caves feature stalagmite formations resembling Shivalingam, attracting devotees and tourists. The cave walls produce unique sounds when struck by hand. 
• Unlike Kailash, Kutumsar Cave is an underground cave located about 35 meters below ground level and is completely dark.

Gadiya Mountain

• Gadiya Mountain is the highest peak in Kanker and serves as a natural fort. It gained prominence during the Kandra dynasty when King Dharma Dev declared his capital here after conquering Kanker. 
• The mountain hosts a tank that remains filled with water throughout the year, divided into two sections named after the king's daughters, Sonai and Rupai.
• The mountain also features a cave called Churipagar, with a narrow entrance. In times of attack, the king and his family would take refuge in this cave.