Jagdalpur (Altitude: 552 M, Population: 73,687), a municipal town and head quarter of Bastar District & Bastar Division,  is situated on the south bank of the Indravati River. The area is famous for age old wooden handicrafts which have high demand among all types of tourists.

History: The historical importance of Bastar is deep into the past as Valmiki's Ramayana and famous for Dandakaranya through which Lord Rama is believed to have passed. The Bastar rulers trace their ancestry to Prithviraj Chauhan, the last Hindu king to rule from Delhi in the 12th century AD. Bastar has seen the rule of number of kingdoms like the Nalas, Chalukyas and the Kakatiyas. The great Kakatiya King Pratap Rudra's brother, Annam Deo, left Warangal and established his kingdom at Bastar, around AD 1424. During the reign of Dalpat Deo, the capital of their kingdom was shifted to Jagdalpur. In 1948, Bastar state has been merged in Indian Union.

Transport: Jagdalpur is well connected with road from the State capital Raipur and other parts of neighboring state Orissa viz. Jeypore. The railway station is located in a naturally beautiful area with a passenger train with sleeper coach is running daily to and fro Vishakhapatnam (Vizag). The journey from Vizag to Jagdalpur is marvelous. The trail goes to Kirondol which is important for very rich deposits of iron ore.

Places of Interest
Danteshwari Temple (about 80 km south-west from Jagdalpur) is the famous and sacred temple of Ma Danteshwari, a local goddess, worshipped as an incarnation of Shakti. Every year during Dusshera thousands of tribal from surrounding villages and jungles gather here to pay homage to the goddess.

The 14th century temple built by the Chalukya kings in South Indian style is regarded as ancient heritage sites of India and a representation of the religious-socio-cultural history of the Bastar region, with its rich architectural and sculptural wealth and its vibrant festival traditions. The temple serves as the most important spiritual center for the people of this region. The idol of Danteshwari Mai is chiseled out of black stone. The temple is located in a spacious courtyard surrounded by massive walls consisting of four parts such as Garbh Griha, Maha Mandap, Mukhya Mandap and Sabha Mandap. A Garud Pillar is in front of the entrance of the temple.

As per the Indian mythology, a tooth of Sati had fallen here and Danteshwari Shakti Pith. Goddess Sati committed self-immolation in the fire pit of yagna kund, due to an insult committed by her father Daksha towards her consort Lord Shiva during the Yagna. Raged by the death of Sati, Lord Shiva destroyed the Yagna of Daksha and with the body of Sati in his hands started to do 'Taandav'. Lord Vishnu cut the dead body of Goddess Sati with his Sudarshan Chakra to free Lord Shiva from the grief caused by her death. Parts of the dead body of Goddess Sati were scattered to fifty-two different places, which were consecrated as Shakti Pithas.

Chitrakot waterfall is termed as mini Niagara of India. It is the broadest water fall in India. During Monsoon one can see its might. The River Indravati falls from a height of 29 m (96 ft) to form this waterfall. It is located 48 km from Jagdalpur and is accessible by road only. A few small hotels and restaurants are located near the falls.

Tiratgarh Waterfalls (35 km. south-west of Jagdalpur) is approachable through the state highway towards Sukma. The waterfall is situated in Kanger Valley National Park and the height is approximately 300 ft in stages. The good season for visiting these waterfalls is from October to February.
The Mandwana waterfalls are located 12 km away from Tokapal of Jagdalpur Tehsil. It is also a natural place of tourism. Another waterfall in Bastar district is Chitradhara, which is just 19 km away from Jagdalpur and is in Potanar village of Lohandiguda block of Jagdalpur Tehsil. Thamada Ghumar waterfall with its height more than 100 feet and is generally formed during rainy season. There are green fields on both sides of this waterfall.

Kailash and Kotumsar Caves are the caves which are about 2 km in length and situated at a distance of about 40 km from Jagdalpur. Due to lack of oxygen, going deep into the cave is restricted up-to a point.

The Sri Venkateshwara Swamy Temple in Jagdalpur is a result of dedicated, loving and tireless efforts of members of Andhra Association. The temple reaches out to serve spiritual, cultural and social dimensions of the society. Every day devotees throng this sacred shrine of Lord Balaji also known as Sri Venkateswara Swamy, the all-pervading Lord of the Universe.
Bastar Palace is another historical remains that is seen in Jagdalpur. It was the head quarters of Bastar Kingdom. It was built by the rulers of Bastar State when the capital of Bastar kingdom had been shifted from Barsur to Jagdalpur. At present, the Royal Family of Bastar state is residing there.

Anthropological Museum at Dharampura provides a perfect window-view of the life-styles of various tribes in Bastar.

Lakes There are two lakes namely Ganga Munda and Dalpat Sagar within the boundary of Jagdalpur town. These lakes are potential tourist attractions.

Kanger Ghati National Park: This National Park is located near the Kholaba River in the district of Bastar. The rare mouse deer makes its home in this national park.

Indravati National Park situated at 200 km. west of Jagdalpur in Narainpur Tehsil is famous for tigers and wild buffaloes.
The virgin Kurschel Valley with its gigantic trees is situated at 40 KM north-west.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 11 January 2011 21:58