Dantewada, a small district in Chhattisgarh is one of the most culturally sound districts in the state. Other than culture, this place has so many things to explore; surrounded by national parks and sanctuaries, natural waterfalls, ancient temples and ruins and so many more things have popularized tourism in Dantewada. Reachind this district can be done by air, rail as well as bus or a car; it is well connected to major cities in Chhattisgarh, which makes it easy to travel to Dantewada. The best time to visit this place is during winters when the weather is pleasant and apt to go sightseeing. There is good tourism in Dantewada to explore. Read through our travel guide to Dantewada to get more information for your trip.

By Air:

The nearest airport to Dantewada is Rajahmundry Airport which is distanced at 289 km from the center of the district. Other than this airport, you can also take a flight to Vishakhapatnam Airport or Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur. Once you get off at the airport, you can easily find transport to reach your destination.

By Road:

Dantewada district is well connected by roadways and is linked to several important cities in the state. You can drive to Dantewada or take a bus operated by APSRTC if you are coming from Andhra Pradesh or take state run busses indie Chhattisgarh. You can also take luxury buses from adjacent states to reach Dantewada.

By Rail:

The main railhead in Dantewada District is Datewada Railway Station and it is distanced at 1.8 km from the center of the district. Given the proximity of the railway station to the district, this is the easiest way to get here without any hassles; also, prices for tickets are quite cheap.

Getting Around:

You can easily get around in Dantewada using auto rickshaws and buses. State run buses are the most economical way to travel here, but you can always take an auto rickshaw or a taxi, which may turn out to be a little more expensive, but quite comfortable, especially if you are visiting in the summer time.

Summer (April-June):

Summers are the most brutal months in Dantewada with temperatures soaring and ranging from 32°C-40°C. The climate is dry, hot and quite unbearable sometimes and it is advisable to not visit here during this time. Although people do visit Danteshwari Temple throughout the year, it is not recommended to visit Dantewada during summers.

Monsoon (July-October):

After the scorching heat in the summers, monsoons provide some relief to the region of Dantewada. Temperatures during this time range from 22°C-30°C throughout the day and are accompanied by cool winds and showers. The monsoons are moderate in this region and it is a great time to visit.

Winter (November-March):

Coming to one of the best seasons to visit Dantewada, winter, is the most apt time to see this beautiful place. Temperatures range from 12°C-25°C, making it absolutely pleasant for sightseeing. The nights are quite cold and you must carry appropriate clothing to face the weather. Enjoy the natural and scenic beauty of the place in the best way possible during this season.

Visit Danteshwari Temple:

Dantewada district is most famous for the Danteshwari Temple which was established several years ago. This is an ancient temple with a shrine of Goddess Durga in the form of Shakti. This temple happens to be one of the 52 shakti peeths in the country and is highly revered by pilgrims from other states and locals.

Explore Nature:

If you are a nature enthusiast, Dantewada is a place where you can have a lot of fun. The district is surrounded by several national parks like Indravati National Park, Bairangarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Kanger Ghati National Park. These reserves are a hub for wildlife activity along with a great expanse of a variety of flora as well.

Experience Tribal Life:

Dantewada in Chhattisgarh is one of the few places in India that still has indigenous tribal population living in the region. Tribal people living in Palnaar, Dholkal and other surrounding villages have a very different lifestyle and it is fascinating to be a part of it. Experience a tribal homestay or get entertained by their folk songs and dance to indulge in ancient traditions that are still kept alive.

Seek Blessing at Temples:

Dantewada is a place that has a lot of ancient temples and ruins that are worth visiting. Head over to Barsur village to see some of the most ancient temples like the Battisa Temple and the Mama Bhanja Temple. The architecture of these temples is magnificent and still stands strong, even after so many years. Other great temples include Ganpati and Surya Temple on the Dholkal Trek and Shiv Mandir in Samlur.

Enjoy Birdwatching:

Have an obsession for observing different kinds of birds? Dantewada is well equipped for that. Head over to one of the national parks or sanctuaries in the region to get a glimpse of some of the most exotic birds flying in during winter time to breed. The marshy lands of the sanctuaries here prove to be a great breeding ground for migratory and local birds. Get your binoculars out to observe some amazing birds.

Eating at a place like Dantewada could be quite exciting; you can get regular north Indian and South Indian cuisine, along with tribal delicacies. Most of the tribal delicacies are non vegetarian in nature and the interesting thing is that you can find different alcoholic beverages as well that are locally made by these tribals. The charm of eating and drinking the way the people of this region do is different from eating regular food. Make sure you taste Sulphi, an alcoholic drink made out of palm trees. Don’t miss out of delicious food that is cooked by tribals on the chulha and is served with Kosra, which is similar to rice. Also try out delicacies like Petha, Rakhia Badi and Jalebi that is locally made. Other than this you will find restaurants and street food at every corner in Dantewada to get regular vegetarian and non vegetarian meals.

It is common to go on a shopping spree on a trip, especially to an exotic location like Dantewada. We call it exotic due to the tribal culture in the region. The tribal groups here are the very few groups that are left in India and it is fascinating to see and live their lifestyle. Most tribal people work in agricultural farms, sew, make cloth, and indulge in painting pots and making handicrafts. All of these products are sold at tribal markets and villages. Products sold in the markets include toys, ornaments, showpieces, idols of Gods and Goddesses, Saris and other handicrafts. Don’t miss out these markets or the fairs that are held timely, throughout the year.