Things to do in Chhattisgarh

The Chitrakote Falls is a natural waterfall located in Jagdalpur near Indravati River, Chhattisgarh. With a height of about 95 ft and a huge width of 985 ft, the waterfall is the widest fall in India. The normal width and spread further grows in size during monsoon season, and it is aptly called the Niagara Falls of India. It is located inside the Kanger Valley National Park, where another fall called the Tirathgarh Falls is also located few km away from Chitrakote.
Right below the falls, there is a pond with a shrine of Lord Shiva erected. There are several caves nearby which are collectively known as Parvati Caves. The river flows sluggishly on the upstream side of the falls through the plains. There is no or very little forest cover in the reach of the river valley.

The main beauty of the falls is found throughout the year and eventually falling into a pond formed in a semicircular shape at the bottom of the falls. During off- especially during sunset. As the river flows over the sharp vertical rock edge at the widest reach of the river, creating misty clouds seasons, the waterfall gets channelized into several streams flowing separately in a horseshoe shape. That is another spectacular thing to behold, though the main attraction is during monsoons when the streams of the cliffs come together as one and gush out in all its glory.

The waterfall and the surrounding beauty are treats to the eyes by themselves, where one can reach the bottom of the fall by boat services available. One can also try trekking, but it is better to take a guide if you are not an expert. It is advisable for kids and old people not to go down near the fall as the gush of water is too speedy and not recommendable for them.

Kailash and Kotumsar Caves, better known as Kotumsar caves, are located near a village of the same name near Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh. Kotumsar is one of the major tourist attractions, especially for the people interested in ecotourism. The caves are limestone caves formed on the Kanger limestone belt, situated near the bank of the River Kanger. The caves were discovered in 1993.
The caves are located at an altitude of 560 m above sea level. The entrance of the cave is a vertical crack in the wall of a hill that serves as the main entry. The more convenient path follows from the entrance down the cave via a concrete path that has extended till the end of the cave. The stretch of the tunnel of the cave is 200 m long that includes multiple lateral and downward passages.

The major attractions are the various types of speleothems or cave formations that offer amazing panoramic view. The stalactites and stalagmite formations date back to more than million years. Different species of genetically blind fishes are found here in the Kutumsar Caves. Considered as the second largest natural caves of the world, Kutumsar caves have 5 chambers and few wells with blind fishes found in them.

The Kutumsar caves are one of the most biologically explored caves in India that is ruled by adventure of every sort. It is an absolute delight for the travelers to explore a cave that is known as India’s first underground cave. As a visitor, you would be taken right from the entrance room by stairs to the narrow high chambers running straight to the huge hall that has an audial. Watching the million years old cave formations is by itself a treat to the eyes.

Kander valley National Park is located near Jagdalpur in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. It is one of the densest forests of India and was declared a national park in 1982 by the Indian Government. Located across the 34 km long Kanger Valley, and spread over a total of 200 sq km, the forest consists of mainly hilly terrain that makes up for most of the picturesque national park.
Kanger Valley National Park is popular for its rich vegetation density that includes its biodiversity, landscape, waterfalls, and subterranean geomorphologic limestone caves to name a few apart from the beautiful flora and fauna that it displays.
The park derives its name from the Kanger River that keeps flowing throughout the entire forest length. The national park is the home for many animals and birds including the Bastar hill myna, which is the state bird of Chhattisgarh. The Kanger Valley National Park is also popular for its huge deviation of land formations that range from low flats to gentle areas to steep slopes to plateaus to valleys and stream courses.

The Kanger Valley National Park holds special importance for the fact that it is the home to diverse habitats which makes it an ideal site for diverse kinds of flora and fauna making it a hub of biodiversity in the country. It is an ideal place for the wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers, as well as a must visit for the researchers and anthropologists. The major wildlife population includes tigers, leopards, mouse deer, wild cat, sloth bear, flying squirrel, wild boar, chital, sambar, barking deer, jackals, langurs, rhesus macaque striped hyena, rabbits, pythons, cobra, crocodiles, monitor lizards and snakes. Among the avifauna, the most popular ones are hill myna, spotted owlet, red jungle fowl, racket-tailed drongos, bhura teeter, peacocks, parrots, steppe eagles, red spurfowl, phakta, tree pie and heron.

There are several spots inside the national park to visit – including the Tirathgarh waterfalls, Kotumsar Caves, Bhainsa Darha, Kanger Dhara and Dandak cave to name a few. There is a temple too in the proximity of the national park named Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple.

The Teerathgarh Falls is a waterfall near Jagdalpur at Kanger Ghati in Chhattisgarh which is popular for its rugged look and blocked box type shape. The height of the waterfall is 299 ft, which means the water plunges down 299 ft in a single jump. Located at a distance of 35 km to the south-west of Jagdalpur, the waterfall is a major tourist attraction inside the Kanger Ghati National Park, and the waterfall is a source of water flowing in the Kanger River.
There are 210 steps down to the fall where you can climb down to the base of the water to make the most of it. The waterfall is also termed as “Smooth Falls” as the water froths and turns almost milk-white as it gushes down the steep. It is the bungle stream of water that makes the water special, especially with rich green backwoods completing the entire look of it.

The waterfall as well as the journey towards it makes it an exciting one. There is a Shiva-Parvati sanctuary at the falls where, legends say, that Lord Ram and Goddess Sita had visited during their exile. There are two kunds – Ram Kund and Sita Kund at the spots for the tourists to check out. The entire area looks amazing during monsoon, though it is risky and better to travel just after the rainy season.

The Teerathgarh Falls is a wonderful destination for picnic and for photography. The square box like shape makes it easier to access for the travelers and one can step down or up for an adventurous day-out. Kutumsar Caves and Kailash Gufa are some nearby places to visit along with this water which also makes for one of the most beautiful lakes of Chhattisgarh.