Chhattisgarh is a state of multi cultures, traditions and a melting pot for different people coming in from all parts of India. This is one of the largest states in India and has been formed not too long ago. The state borders Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Jharkhand; therefore it is placed to the center east of the country. The state has hilly terrain as well as plains, with several rivers flowing around it. You can easily reach Chhattisgarh by air, rail or road as the cities are well connected to each other and there shouldn’t be any problem traveling. Tourism in Chhattisgarh is popular during winters when the air is cool and the climate is pleasant to go out and see different attractions. Below is our travel guide to Chhattisgarh that will tell you more about the places to visit and the things you can do in the popular as well as offbeat cities of Chhattisgarh.

By Air:

Chhattisgarh has three major airports; the first one is in Raipur called Swami Vivekananda International Airport, situated at a distance of 15.5 km from Raipur city. The Bilaspur Airport distanced at 12.5 km from Bilaspur city is the second major airport and the third one is the Raigarh Airport at 10.2 km from the main city. Other than these there are other airports as well, but the frequency of flights in these airports is much better.

By Road:

Chhattisgarh has well maintained roads and highways that link the different cities together as well as links it to adjacent states. Due to great connectivity, it is easy to travel to Chhattisgarh by car. You can also think of taking a bus that is run by CSRTC and make for a good road trip. If you are coming from neighbouring states, you can take an overnight luxury bus as well.

By Rail:

The zonal headquarters of South East Central Railway of Indian Railways is Bilaspur, which is one of the main cities of Chhattisgarh; hence, connectivity by rail is not a problem. There are several railheads out of which some important ones are The Bilaspur Junction railway station distanced at 1.4 km from the city and Raipur Junction Railway Station located at 1.4 km from the city. These railheads have trains coming in with more frequency and are the recommended railway stations for long distance travel.

Getting Around:

You can easily get around the cities in Chhattisgarh by using the public means of transport in the state. You can choose to ride the CSRTC buses that will take you to almost all the places, especially the attractions. If you want a more comfortable ride, take a taxi, which might come out a little more expensive or you can take an auto rickshaw as well. You can also rent out a car for the purpose of sightseeing.

Summer (March-June):

Summers in Chhattisgarh that start in the month of March and stay until June are the hottest months in this state. Temperatures during this time range from 35°C to 45°C, with some summers beiong brutal and the mercury rising up even more. This is not the recommended time to visit but it is a great time to see a lot of wildlife activity in the sanctuaries.

Monsoon (July-October):

Giving respite to the region in the month of July and lasting all the way to October is the monsoon season in Chhattisgarh. Temperatures during this time range from 28°C to 35°C, making it very cool and pleasant. A lot of people like to visit during this time to enjoy the climate and go sightseeing s well. There is moderate rainfall at this time and it is a safe time to go.

Winter (November-February):

The best season to visit Chhattisgarh is during winters due to the cool climate. Temperatures in the winter months range from 12°C to 22°C and as you can imagine, this means it is quite cold. During some winters, temperatures go down even lower and cause the climate to be very cold. Always carry appropriate clothing during winters if you are visiting.

Visit the Capital Raipur:

The former capital of Madhya Pradesh and now the capital of Chhattisgarh is Raipur. The city is the highest producer of steel in the city and there are a number of plants that manufacture in there. The city is known for having a lot of people from different backgrounds, making it a multi cultural city. Enjoy the shopping and cuisine from the city.

Go to Kanger Ghati National Park:

One of the most famous national parks in Chhattisgarh as well as India is the Kanger Ghati National Park. This is a great place to visit if you are fond of seeing animals in their natural habitats. Spread over 200 sq km, this park has some of the most beautiful creatures and also birds that have migrated or are natives.

Feel Peaceful at Dhamtari:

Stretching over an area of 4084 sq km, Dhamtari is a district in Chhattisgarh that has 213132 hectares of land dedicated to natural forests. Once you visit the district, you get a feel of nature and at the same time you can also see the lifestyle of the tribes that have been living there for years. You can also get to buy agricultural equipments from Dhamtari.

Go on a Jungle Safari:

If you have never gone on a safari before, don’t fret, here’s your chance to do so in Chhattisgarh. The region is full of national parks and sanctuaries like the Indravati National Park, Achanakmar National Park and many more that provide its visitors with a chance to see the animals in there in their natural habitat. The sanctuary will provide you with a tour guide and a jeep as well.

Check out the Temples:

Chhattisgarh has something for everyone, especially pilgrims. The entire state is dotted with some of the most ancient and the most beautiful Hindi, Jain and Buddhist temples that are notable and worth stopping and seeing. Check out the famous Champakeshwara Mahadeva Temple in Champaranya and the Bambleshwari Devi Temple in Dongargarh amongst many others to see the religious side of the state.

There is no changing the fact that food is an important factor where ever you are, and especially when you go on a vacation to a new state. There is a lot that Chhattisgarh as a state has to offer to its visitors in terms of food. The cuisine in Chhattisgarh is influenced by the food patterns in its neighbouring states and hence you are able to experience diversity in food here as well. Muthia is a famous snack that is made of rice batter and is seasoned with aromatic spices,; this dish is usually eaten by the locals for breakfast, try it their style and be a part of the culture. Something in between a chapatti and a dosa is a chila, which is also prepared from rice batter; make sure you dip it in coriander mint chutney to get the authentic taste. Don’t forget to try desi momos called Faraa that have spicy stuffing inside and are wrapped in rice pancakes and then steamed. Other then these delicious items, you can go for other things like tilgur, bafauri and dubki kadi. All of these items you can find all over the state of Chhattisgarh.

Since Chhattisgarh has so much diversity, it goes without saying that there are a lot of options to choose from when it comes down to shopping; every city has its own specialty. Most people shop for artifacts, handicrafts, handlooms and many other products that are locally made in that region and are absolutely a great gift to take back home for anyone as well. A lot of street shops in Raipur sell beautiful metal products; others sell items that are intricately made by the creative minds of the tribal community in the state. You can also find items that are made out of cane, bamboo and other materials. Other products to shop from in Chhattisgarh include wrought iron items, terracotta figurines, stone statues and idols, cotton fabrics and of course religious items that are sold right out the several temples in different cities.