Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay) National Park Tourism And Travel Guide

Guru Ghasidas National Park is one of the most famous tiger reserves in the region and is highly reputed amongst national parks in the country. Also known as Sanjay National Forest in Madhya Pradesh, this national park shares its boundaries both with Madhya Pradesh as well as Chhattisgarh. Tourism in Guru Ghasidas National Park is popular due to the variety of flora and fauna that are found in the region. It is also famous for the vast expanse of greenery it offers to the wildlife. Reaching the park is easy and can be done by air, train as well as road. The best time to visit the park is during winters when the weather is perfect. Read through our tourist guide to Guru Ghasidas National Park to get an idea of the places to go to and the things to do while you are on your trip.

By Air:

The nearest airport that serves people going back and forth to Guru Ghasidas National Park is Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport in Varanasi. Although it is in a different state, this is the fastest way to reach the national park and is located at 298 km from the park.

By Road:

Guru Ghasidas National Park is a famous one across the country and hence there are roadways connecting to region. These well maintained highways can be taken to reach the park. You can either drive or take a state run bus up to the park for your convenience.

By Rail:

Ambikapur Railway Station is the nearest and the main railhead that one must take in order to reach the national park. This station is distanced at 257 km from the national park and one may take public transportation from the station to reach the park.

Getting Around:

Once you are inside the national park, you can easily hire a jeep that will take you on a safari inside the national park. This is the best way to get around inside the park. You can also take your own vehicle inside, but you would have to adhere to certain rules and regulations.

Summer (April-June):

The hottest season in the region is summer with temperatures soaring from 42°C in the day time to 30°C in the night. These temperatures are accompanied by warm winds throughout the day and the scorching sun. This is not the most recommended season to visit.

Monsoon (July-October):

Giving some respite in the month of July, rain starts to pour making the region a little cooler. Temperatures during time range from 21°C-28°C and it is the second best season to visit the place. At this time, the region looks very pretty due to the showers and there are lot of things to do as well during this time.

Winter (November-March):

Winter is one of the best seasons to visit Guru Ghasidas National Park because it is during this time that one can see a lot of wildlife activity. Also it is quite pleasant and comfortable to visit during the cold. Temperature during this time ranges from 8°C-12°C, making it absolutely apt for sightseeing.

Visit Waterfalls:

Guru Ghasidas National Park falls in the district of Koriya which is absolutely beautiful in terms of natural resources. The best places to visit here include Amritdhara falls and Gaughat falls which are each about 50-60 ft tall. The water falling from the height promotes a place of rehabilitation. Visit to have a relaxed day.

Go on a Pilgrimage:

India is full of temples of all kinds and so is Chhattisgarh. In the district of Koriya, you can find several temples that were built in the past by our ancestors. Visit some of the famous temples like the Pondi Jagganath Temple and the Sirouli Temple which are absolutely serene and prove to be a great place to offer your prayers.

Visit Korea Palace:

The Korea Palace is a famous monument and landmark in the district. Right beside the palace is a man-made lake which is now used for fishing. Built by kingdoms who have conquered the region before, this palace is a must see. The architecture of the palace is gorgeous and worth visiting for.

Venture on a Safari:

The best part about Guru Ghasidas National Park is that you can go on a safari to see the wild animals and birds inside. The park is best enjoyed when you can see these animals strolling around in their natural habitat. So venture on a safari with a tour guide to make the most out of your trip.

Observe Tribal Lifestyle:

The region surrounding this huge national park is full of tribal villagers who have a certain way of living their lives. The best way to observe their culture and traditions is to take part in the several festivals they have where they sing and dance on different occasions. You can also try out their food to really dip into their culture and eat what they eat.

Food is a key aspect of any journey and so is it when you visit this beautiful national park. Koriya district does not have many options to eat as it is a secluded village. But, you can find a few spots within the district that will satiate your taste buds. One of them is Koriya Hotel in Churcha; this place is good if you have kids as it has a wide seating area and the food is quite good as well. Other than this you can visit Nice Restaurant in Chirimiri and the Avatar Dhaba to have a late night dinner. There are also a couple of fast food joints that you can try out. But if you are looking for authentic taste, head over to the small villages of Koriya to taste food made by the tribal people.

After you are done seeing the wildlife and plants in Guru Ghasidas National Park, you must head over to the region around it for some shopping therapy. Some of the best places to go shopping would be in Ambikapur as well as Manendragarh. Here you will find some of the choicest rural products that will amaze you. Some of these items include jewelry, cloth, handicrafts, brass products, pots, plants, idols of gods and goddesses and a lot more. The best way to explore a place is to go local and in this case you must go shopping locally to get a feel of the place and buy some of the most authentic things that you will not find anywhere else.