Champaran is a village that has immense historical as well as religious significance as it is the birth place of the founder of the Vallabh sect Shri Vallabhacharaya. There are several temples in the region that were made to pay respect to him and his ideologies. Tourism in Champaran is popular due to lovely temples that are present that exhibit excellent architecture and also makes for a peaceful and serene place. You can easily reach Champaran by means of rail, air or road; local buses and taxis will take you around for sightseeing s well. The best time to visit Champaran is during winters when the air is pleasant and climate is apt for exploring the town. Read through our travel guide to Champaran to get an idea of the places to see and the things to do.

By Air:

The closest airport to Champaran is located in Raipur and is known as Swami Vivekananda Airport. This airport is distanced at 38.1 km from the center of Champaran town and takes about 45 minutes to reach. You can easily get taxis and local transport from the airport to your destination.

By Road:

Champaran is well connected to nearby cities especially Raipur, which is the capital of Chhattisgarh. Since it is so close to the capital city, roads are well maintained as well. You can drive up there or take various bus services provided by the government or luxury buses from adjacent states.

By Rail:

Chhattisgarh is a state that is well connected by rail lines and since Champaran is close to the capital city of Raipur, the nearest railhead to get to this ton is the Raipur Junction Railway Station. This station is located at a distance of 47.6 km from the center of Champaran town. This is one of the most convenient and comfortable ways to travel.

Getting Around:

You can easily get around Champaran by hiring a taxi that will take you sightseeing all day long, although this may turn out to be a little expensive. You can also take state run buses that are cheap and comfortable and are always on schedule. This way you can send less on travel and more on shopping and other experiences.

Summer (April-June):

Summers in Chamaparn that start in April and go on until June are the hottest of all season. Temperatures during this time range from 35°C-42°C, with the mercury rising even further on the peak summer months. This is not the best time to visit Champaran.

Monsoon (July-October):

With the rains coming in the month of July, the region gets some respite from the scorching sun. The season lasts all the way until the first week of October and is a blissful time to visit. The temples look even more beautiful during this time. Temperatures during monsoon range from 27°C-32°C making it cool and pleasant.

Winter (November-March):

One of the best seasons to visit Champaran is the winters that stretch from November to March. Temperatures during this time range from 12°C-25°C, making it way cooler than the summers. This is the best time to visit sanctuaries close to Champaran as well as you can see a lot of migratory birds coming in.

Visit the temples of Saint Vallabhacharya:                 

The temple of Vallabhacharya has two parts, Mool Prakatya and Prakatya Baithakji Mandir; both of which are the two important temples of the region. Visit these temples to learn about the life of the saint and what was his preaching. This is agreat place to learn more about the architecture style of the temples and the shrines that are housed inside.

Take Blessings at Rajiv Lochan Mandir:

One of the most famous temples in the region close to Champaran in Raipur is the Rajiv Lochan Mandir. This is one of the most revered temples in the vicinity with beautiful architecture and various carvings that are mesmerizing. Visit the temple during festivals to see it in its full fervor.

Barnawapara Santuary:

Once you are done visiting temples of Champaran, make sure you visit the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary located at a few kilometers from town. Comprising over 150 species of birds and various animals, both that are endangered is the specialty of the sanctuary. Visit the place to have a unique experience.

Take a Stroll at Rajiv Gandhi Smriti Van:

Take a day off and relax at Rajiv Gandhi Smriti Van, a garden near Champaran which is apt for rehabilitation. This is the best place to go to for morning and evening walks and to be one with nature. The unique feature of this garden is that everything operates on solar energy.

Go to a Fair:

Champaran and its vicinity are so culturally rich that they have festivals and fairs all year round. Attend the annual fair that takes place after monsoon to experience the local culture of the region. Take part in religious activities and prayers and buy small souvenirs to take back home as well.

Since Champaran is a religious region, most of the food that you will find here is pure vegetarian. The cuisine here is a mix of the locally made food as well as cuisine from neighbouring states as well. Here you will find north Indian food and Chinese as well. Head over to Sudamapuri Canteen to have some simple but tasty vegetarian food or visit Dau da Dhaba for some varied options in food. Eat at Kanha Restaurant if you are looking for a little more sophisticated setting along with your family. Other than these restaurants there are street food vendors who sell chaat and various other items as snacks that you can try out as well.

There is a different charm in shopping from a place that you have visited and keeping a memory of that experience when you go back home. Champaran is a place that does not have many options when it comes to shopping for things like clothes and shoes and modern day amenities, but at the same time this right outside the temples in Champaran you will be able to find various street vendors selling many religious items like incense sticks, mandaps, idols of gods and goddesses and other things. If you visit Purani Basti, you are able to fund various vendors selling locally made handicrafts and saris and traditional wear; a lot of them also sell tribal accessories like bangles etc.