Chattisgarh Secrets

Chattisgarh Undiscovered

Places to Stay

Chitrakote Falls Campsite, Bastar

Perched above the Falls, 40 Kms from Jagdalpur are luxury tents and log huts with spectacular views of the torrential waters. Run by the State Tourism Board, each tent is spacious enough for a double bedroom, with an attached bathroom and a verandah where you will be close enough to listen to hear the waterfall roaring and hissing as it plunges down.

Chattisgarh Tourism Board, Paryatan Bhavan, Raipur. Tel (0771) 506 6415

Palace Kawardha, Kawardha

Set against the scenic paddy fields and the Maikal foothills, and surrounded by beautiful lawns, the Italian Marble and stone palace boasts of grand staircases, large high ceiling room and sweeping verandahs. The royal family still lives on the top floor, you can stay in one of the six ornately decorated rooms. Enjoy a drink in the bar or relax in the Durbar Hall.

www.palacekawardha.com

Place to Eat

Makri Dhaba, Kawardha

On your way from Kawardha to Chitrakote Falls near Jagdalpur, the paranthas and omlettes will see you a long way through the jungle. Try the kheer as well. Not too many other options along the way.

Sahu Jalebi Bhandar, Raipur

Setup about 30 years ago to cater to hungry commuters using the old Raipur Bus Stand, this place has become a landmark in town. Although the bus stand has shifted since, people still flock here for an early morning hearty breakfast- a mix of poha(rice flakes soaked in water and then dried) spiced with fired onions, sev(deep fried and spiced gram flour) and coriander leaves, finished with hot jalebis, (swirls of syrup doused concotions fried in sinful quantities of ghee).

Must Shop

Tussar Silk

One the most amazing sights that you will come across in the depths of the forests are long cocoons hung from the tree branches to dry. Ensconced in them are the tussar silk caterpillars which are fed on saja and arjuna trees and then taken to Kosa Silk Farm in Jagdlapur, where the silken cocoon threads are spun into gorgeous and famous Bastar Kosa Sarees.

Must visit the Silk Farm in Jagdalpur and Chuhuri Village on the Korba- Ambikapur Highway. Raigarh 134 Kms from Bilaspur is famous for its Tussar Sarees.

Wrought Iron

Stark, black and ingeniously crafted into unlikely shapes, the world famous wrought irom artifacts of Bastar possess a strange,primitive beauty that you will never see elsewhere. Wether it’s a figurine of a hunter in frozen motion or something as mundane as a garden chair, you will want to take home these creations.

Buy from the Saathi Centre in Kumharpura near Kodagaon, 50 Kms north of Jagdalpur or Naryanpur, 80 Kms from Kumharpura.

Bell Metal

Arrestingly fashioned inot elephants,horses,deer, masks and human figures by the hot wax casting technique known as Dhokra, the bell metal artifacts of Bastar are recognized the world over. With their elongated forms, they are reminiscent of Indus Valley Civilization Artefacts.

Buy from the Saathi Centre in Kumharpura near Kodagaon, 50 Kms north of Jagdalpur or Naryanpur, 80 Kms from Kumharpura.

Terracota Animals and Figurines

Clay from the Indravati River is gathered by the potters to create beautiful horses, tortoises, elephants, bells, decorative pots and urns, ashtrays and penholders.

Watch the potters at work in Shilpagram, a tiny village on the Raipur- Jagdalpur Highway