10

Historical Places in Chhattisgarh That You Need to Visit

Bastar Palace is an archaic palace which was constructed when the Kings of Bastar moved their capital to Jagdalpur. The palace has intriguing wall cravings on the walls that adds to its beauty. It is in every sense an architectural marvel that speaks boldly of the bravery of the rulers who ruled there. There is a monument built inside the grounds of the palace. It was made by the government and puts forth portraits and artefacts of the rulers from the past. When here, you must definitely take a ride on the horse carriage. 

Kanker Palace is another significant historical place in Chhattisgarh that was initially constructed in the 20th century. Originally known as the Radhanivas Bagicha, the palace was later on re built in the year 1937. This magnificently elegant palace showcases the influence of colonial architecture. Since the palace is located amidst the picturesque landscape with lush gardens enveloping it, the entire view is breath-taking. You can enjoy a couple of activities here such as jeep safaris, boat safaris and others.

If you are a history lover, Bhoramdeo Temple is one place that you simply cannot afford to miss. It will give you a feeling of being a part of that historical era. Built between the 7th to the 11th centuries, the Bhoramdeo Temple is referred to as Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh by many. Nestled amidst the magnificent setting of mighty Maikal mountains, the top of the temple offers spectacular views. This is also believed to be one of the most beautifully decorated temples. You can find several erotic and religious sculptures inside the temple.

Location: Kawardha

One major draw card to this historical place in Chhattisgarh is its very location. The palace is situated on Maikal Ranges at 941 meters altitude above sea level. Situated on a vast 11 acre land, you will be taken aback by the beauty of this lovely garden. It was constructed in the 1930s and back then stones and marbles were used to carry out the construction of the palace. It is indeed a magnificent example of the culture of the place. At present, the Palace Kawardha is declared as a heritage hotel. So, if you wish to enjoy some luxury accommodation in the city, this could be your chosen place. The lush green surroundings of the palace will make you feel closer to the environment.

Location: Rani Durgawati, Kawardha

Laxman Temple is one of the finest brick temples of India. Embellished with precise constructions and exquisite carvings, it is indeed one of the most beautiful temples of Chhattisgarh. It is also one of the oldest temples in the city and has a very traditional and ethnic appeal. Towards the top entrance of the temple, you’ll see a Sheshnaag which acts as an umbrella to Lord Shiva. While on the sides of the entrance, there are erotic carvings, magnificent Krishna Leela ornamental symbols and beautiful incarnations of Load Vishnu. Ever year, the temple is visited by thousands of visitors from not only across the country but also from across the world. There is a museum too inside the premises of the temple. This is established by the Archaeological Survey of India and brings forth collection of significant relics and rare statues as important to the Jain, Vaishnava, Buddhist and Shaiva beliefs.   

Mahamaya temple is one of the most culturally rich and architecturally celebrated temples of South East India. It is an architectural marvel and a significant historical place in Chhattisgarh. Over the years, the temple has lured the attention of many archaeologists and historians. The temple has over 150 ponds and is encompassed by lush green hills that adds to its beauty. It is visited by people all round the year however there are two times in a year when the temple is swamped by people i.e. during the Navrataras. During the days of Navrataras, people come in large numbers to seek blessings from their revered Goddess Mahamaya Devi.     

Location: Purani Basti, Raipur

Devrani and Jethani temple is one remarkable historical place in Chhattisgarh. It is located in Tala region of Chhattisgarh. These two temples are located just adjacent to each other. They owe their names to their dimensions. One of the temple is slightly bigger and is christened Jethani meaning elder sister in law while the other one is relatively smaller and is christened Devrani. These temples have been named so by the villagers of the surrounding region.

 Devrani Temple is a smaller temple which faces towards the east direction. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, there is a Maniyari river that flows towards back end of the temple. It has a phenomenal ground plan and the size of the temple is 75x32 feet. Inside the temple you will find a Garbhagriha, a vast open space after which there is a narrow mukhmandapa that can be reached after taking a small flight of steps with huge Chandra shila. Inside the temple, you can find a number of sculptures of different Gods and Goddesses from the Hindu mythology. Further, there are cravings of mythical figures, Demi Gods, floral depictions, animals along with a plethora of geometrical and non geometrical motifs. Amongst all these cravings and sculptures, there is one which is of prime importance which is the RudraShiva. It is believed to be a one of a kind structure. This mythological structure is enormous and has a height of 2.70 meters.   

Jethani temple is also dedicated to Lord Shiva. It however faces the southern direction. Though, the temple is only partially exposed, you can clearly see its ground plan. It comprises of a Mandapa and sanctum in the front. The temple has three entrances from three different sides – west, east and south. If you go past the main entrance of the temple, you’ll have to take a wide flight of steps. The surrounding areas of the temples are beautifully adorned by several types of motifs and murals. It is a precious cultural site and is definitely worth to be included in the list of World Heritage. 

Kotumsar Caves and Kailash Gufa are beautiful historical places in Chhattisgarh which are located amidst the dense forests in proximity to the Tiratgarh Waterfalls. Situated at a distance of 40 km from Jagdalpur, the caves are ranked second in the list of longest natural caves in the world. However, sadly the Kutumsar Caves aren’t really accessible beyond a certain limit. The restriction of movement is largely attributed to the lack of available oxygen inside these caves which happen to be 2 km deep. Situated on little hill, the Kailash Cave was discovered only in 1993. The significant feature of the cave is that it produces musical sounds when you strike with hands on the hollow walls of the caves.  

Location: 40 km from Jagdalpur

When you are out there exploring Chhattisgarh, you simply cannot miss the highest mountain of Kanker which is the Gadiya Mountain. The mountain served as the capital to the Kandra dynasty’s King Dharma Dev. There is a cave here which used to be the hideout for the royal family in times of war. Further, there is another cave visible on the southern part of the Great Mountain that is known as the Jogi Gufa. It is believed that back then, this cave was used by the ancient sages for meditation. There is a water tank here which is immensely popular. It has a belief that the water here never tends to dry up. 

Location: Near Doodh River, Kanker

Last but definitely not the least in the list of the historical places in Chhattisgarh is the Ratanpur Fort. The fort enjoys a considerable importance especially in terms of tourism. Located only 25 km from Bilaspur, Ratanpur Fort is an old Indian fort whose exact date of construction is still a mystery. There is also no evidence on who exactly commissioned the construction of this fort. None the less, it is an architectural marvel and definitely deserves a visit on your exploration trip to Chhattisgarh. 

Location: Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh