Chhattisgarh, in Central India, was formed out of Madhya Pradesh to become the Indian Union’s 26th state. It has vast mineral riches as well as forest resources. Chhattisgarh also boasts the country’s highest concentration of Scheduled Tribes. Its cities, particularly the capital city Raipur, are densely populated with migrants from across the country. The climate of the state is tropical, with scorching summers and freezing winters. The monsoon season is when the majority of the rain falls (July to mid-September). The daytime temperature in the summer (mid-April to the end of June) can reach 45°C, while the temperature in the winter can drop considerably below 10°C.
Brief History of Chhattisgarh:
The state’s mythological heritage may be traced back to the Mahabharata and Ramayana periods. During the 14th century, the Haihaya dynasty governed Chhattisgarh for six centuries. The Chalukya dynasty established its control in Bastar during the Middle Ages. The Marathas captured the kingdom from the Haihaya dynasty in 1741. The Gonds were opposed to the Maratha rule’s crimes. Chhattisgarh was constituted as a deputy commissioner when Nagpur was included in the British government’s jurisdiction in 1854.
Geographical Location:
Chhattisgarh is a state in eastern India. It is bordered on the north and northeast by the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, on the east by Odisha, on the south by Telangana and on the west by Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Raipur is the state capital. 52,199 square kilometres of land (135,194 square km). The population was 25,540,196 in 2011.
Basic Facts about Chhattisgarh:
- Raipur is the capital, and Hindi is the official language but Chhattisgarhi is also mostly spoken.
- The total area covered is 1,35,133 square kilometres
- Rank in Area – tenth
- The population is 2,55,45,198 people.
- 16th in terms of population. The sex ratio is 991 females for every 1000 males.
- 71.04 percent of the population is literate.
- Number of Districts – 27
- 90 Assembly seats (Unicameral)
- 11 Lok Sabha seats
- 5 Rajya Sabha seats
- The Bailadila range has the highest summit.
- Bhupesh Baghel is the state’s chief minister.
- Anusuiya Uikey is the state’s Governor.
- Created on – November 1st, 2000
Chhattisgarh as Rice Bowl of India:
Rice is a major crop in Chhattisgarh, which is the reason it is known as the “rice bowl” due to its widespread production. Rice is used in some of the state’s most well-known meals. Muthia (rice flour and spices rolled into a ball and boiled or steamed) and Chousela (rice puri/roti) are two examples.
Tourist Places:
- Chitrakote Falls is often at the top of the list when it comes to the best tourist attractions in Chhattisgarh. This waterfall is around 50 kilometers from Jagdalpur in the Bastar District.
- Tirathgarh Falls is one of Chhattisgarh’s most popular tourist destinations. The beauty of these falls resides in the way they split into many falls as they plummet from nearly 300 feet, producing a breathtaking spectacle.
- In 2009, Project Tiger designated Achanakmar Tiger Reserve as a tiger reserve. A remarkable number of tigers can be found in the Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh, which covers an area of approximately 557 square kilometres.
- Kanker Palace, currently a part of India’s heritage hotels, was originally known as Radha Niwas Bagicha and was established in the first quarter of the last century.
Raipur- The Capital City:
Raipur is the capital of the Indian state of Chattisgarh, which was established in the year 2000. This city may be the only one in India with an IIT, an IIM, an NIT, and an AIIMS. It, like other cities, celebrates several festivals such as Teja, Champaran Mela, Pola Hareli, and so on. This city is also known as Swami Vivekananda’s spiritual birthplace.
Naya Raipur is Chhattisgarh’s ultra-modern planned capital city. It is regarded as one of the world’s first interconnected cities, with plans for future growth and infrastructure upgrades.
Festivals and Culture:
Chhattisgarh has the biggest population of Schedule Tribes of any state. SC and ST people make up half of the state’s population. The state’s major festivals are Pola, Nawakhai, Dussehra, Diwali, Holi, and Gowardhan puja. The main folk dances of the state are Panthi, Rawat Nacha, and Saila. In terms of literacy, Chattisgarh is ranked 20th among Indian states. Temple of Bhoramdeo It is also known as Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh because of its exotic sculptures. A well-known Pandwani folk singer is Teejan Bai.
As an Industrial Hub:
Chhattisgarh accounts for 15% of the country’s total steel production. This state is home to the well-known Baldia mines, numerous power plants, the Bhilai Steel Plant, and numerous cement companies. The state produces tendu leaves, chironji, har har, baheda, mahu flowers, and sal seeds.
Conclusion:
Chhattisgarh offers a diverse range of attractions. It has eons of old festivals, tribal rites, and a potpourri of cultures to discover if you are interested in culture and art. It has century-old temples dedicated to deities/goddesses, some of which are also known for Tantric Sadhana. And it has something special for every type of trip; you just need to discover your niche and you’ll be ready to explore incredible India.