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Jagdalpur is a city in the Chhattisgarh state of central India. The city is located on the south bank of the Indravati River, and has a population of approximately 250,000. It is the administrative headquarters of Bastar District and Bastar Division, and was the capital of the erstwhile princely state of Bastar.
Jagdalpur and its surrounding area comprise a major part of the Bastar District. The area is famous for age old wooden handicrafts. These are in high demand among both local as well as foreign tourists.
City has an Airport named Jagdalpur Airport. But presently no passenger services are being rendered from here.
Location
The city is located on the south bank of the Indravati river.
How To Get There
By road: Jagdalpur, the district headquarters is 250 km from Bhadrachalam in the south; it is 300 km from Visakhapatnam in the east and 300 km from Raipur in the north. There are excellent roads to Bastar that pass through verdant forestland.
By rail: Jagdalpur is linked to Visakhapatnam by a broad-gauge electrified railway. A passenger train operates, often with a chair car coach. The train passes through breathtaking ghats and tunnels.
By air: The nearest airports are Raipur and Visakhapatnam. Raipur has daily connectivity with the major cities.
Attractions
Danteshwari Temple : It is located arourd 80 km (50 mi) from Jagdalpur city is the famous and sacred temple of Ma (Hindi for mother) Danteshwari, a local goddess, worshipped as an incarnation of Shakti. This temple is believed to possess several divine powers. Every year during dushera thousands of tribals from surrounding villages and jungles gather here to pay homage to the goddess.
Situated in Dantewada, south-west of Jagdalpur, at the confluence of the holy rivers Shankini & Dhankini, this six hundred year old temple is one of the ancient heritage sites of India and is a representation of the religio-socio-cultural history of the Bastar region. Little is known about this shrine to much of India. The vast temple complex today is truly a standing monument to centuries of history and tradition. With its rich architectural and sculptural wealth and its vibrant festival traditions, Danteshwari Mai temple serves as the most important spiritual center for the people of this region.
It is believed that a tooth of Sati had fallen here and Danteshwari Shakti Pith was established. According to the ancient legend, 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 Yaga. Raged by the death of Sati, Lord Shiva destroyed the Yaga 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 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.
The Danteshwari temple was built in the 14th Century by the Chalukya kings in South Indian style of temple architecture. The idol of Danteshwari Mai is chiseled out of black stone. The temple is divided into four parts such as Garbh Griha, Maha Mandap, Mukhya Mandap and Sabha Mandap. Garbha Griha and Maha Mandap were constructed with stone pieces. There is a Garud Pillar in front of the entrance of the temple. The temple itself is located in a spacious courtyard surrounded by massive walls. The shikhara is adorned with sculptural finery.
Chitrakot Waterfall is supposed to be the Niagara Falls 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 (30 mi) from Jagdalpur and is accessible by road only. There is a helipad but it is used by government only. A few small hotels and restaurants are located near the falls.
Kailash and Kotumsar Caves are the caves which are about 2 km (1 mi) deep. They are situated at a distance of about 40 km (25 mi) from Jagdalpur. There is lack of oxygen when going deep into the cave. So, they have been restricted to a fixed point.
Tiratgarh Waterfalls are situated at a distance of 35 km. from Jagdalpur in south west direction and can be approached through the state highway of Jagdalpur to Sukma. The waterfall is actually situated in Kanger Valley National Park and the height is approximately 300 ft in stages. This place is a favorite picnic spot, especially for large groups looking for a day-long picnic in a forest. The good season for visiting these waterfalls is from October to February.
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. The construction of the Balaji temple in Jagdalpur has been a dream come true to many of the devotees who can now have a hassle free darshan of the Lord nearer home. Every day devotees throng this sacred shrine of Lord Balaji also known as Sri Venkateswara Swamy, the all-pervading Lord of the Universe.
Danteshwari Temple at Jagdalpur is an ancient temple built by the kings of Bastar for inhabiting there family Goddess, Devi Danteshwari. Devi Danteshwari is the Goddess of entire Bastar division, equally worshipped by Hindus as well as tribals. This temple is located beside Bastar palace and near to Gole Bazar.
It is worth seeing and pleasant to watch the temple during the famous Bustar Dusshera festival season, decorated in color lights and lambs, where the main traditional functions of the festivals are being carried out.
Bastar Palace is another historical remain that is seen in Jagdalpur. It was the head quarters of Bastar Kigdom. 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 is located in the office of the Anthropological Survey of India situated at Dharampura. It provides a perfect window-view of the life-styles of various adivasi tribes in Bastar to a tourist hard-pressed for time.
Lakes There are two lakes namely Ganga Munda and Dalpat Sagar with in the boundary of Jagdalpur town. These lakes could become a great attraction for tourists coming to Bastar in the future.
Other Places Of Attraction There are a chain of waterfalls and many other tourist places in Bastar. The MANDAWA waterfalls is 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 water fall is another recently discovered waterfall which is also in Lohandiguda block. Its height is more than 100 feet and is generally formed from the water in rainy season. There are green fields on both sides of this waterfall . Indravati National Park situated in Narainpur Tehsil is famous for tigers and wild buffaloes. It is situated 200 km. west of Jagdalpur. Also about 40 km. north west of Narainpur is the virgin Kurschel Valley, with its gigantic trees.
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