Raipur Tourism And Travel Guide

Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh is the largest city in the state and is the biggest manufacturer of steel in the country. There are several other industries in the city other than steel like aluminum and coal and each of them are manufactured on a big scale. Other than being the hub of industrialization, Raipur has a lot of other places of interest like beautiful temples, waterfalls and a lot more. Reaching Raipur is easy by air, rail as well as road since highways are recently renovated and are well maintained. Tourism in Raipur is most popular during winters when the climate is cool and apt for sightseeing. Basically, there is so much to do in Raipur that you would never get bored Read through our travel guide to Raipur to get more information on the must visit places and the most preferred things to do.

By Air:

The main airport of Raipur is Swami Vivekananda International Airport which is located 15.5 km from the city center. This airport has frequent flights going to domestic as well as international destinations and is the most convenient way to travel. After you come out of the airport, you can take public transportation to go to your destination, which should take about 20 minutes.

By Road:

Raipur has some of the best roads and highways in the state and they are always well maintained and well linked to other cities as well. You can easily drive up to the city or take a bus run by CSRTC to Raipur. You can even take overnight luxury buses from nearby states to get to Raipur comfortably and on time.

By Rail:

The main railhead in the city of Raipur is Raipur Junction Railway Station which is located at a distance of 1.4 km from the center of the city. Since the railway station is so close to the city, it is also a very convenient way to travel to the city. Several trains pass by this station, making it easy for people to come from all parts of India.

Getting Around:

You can get around Raipur without any difficulty as the city has numerous modes of transportation. You can travel by rickshaws or taxis that are comfortable, personalized, but a little expensive. Other than these, you can take buses run by the city and the state; these are easier on the pocket and quite convenient.

Summer (March-June):

The hottest months in Raipur are the summer months with May and June being really hot and stuffy. Temperatures during this time range from 35°C-42°C, making it very warm. Some summers are brutal and temperatures go higher. This is not a recommended time to go to Raipur due to adverse climatic conditions.

Monsoon (July-October):

The region cools down in the month of July with cool showers and pleasant weather. Temperatures in monsoon season range from 25°C-32°C along with a lot of humidity. This is a great time to visit as you can see the waterfalls in Raipur at its best.

Winter (November-February):

Winter season is the best time to visit Raipur due to the cool climate. Temperatures during this time range from 12°C-22°C, which makes Raipur quite cold. In the recent years, the city has been seeing extreme climate in winters and temperatures dropping even further. This is a recommended time to visit but you must carry appropriate clothing.

Go on a Pilgrimage:

Although Raipur is quite industrialized, it has a lot of ancient temples that are highly revered by the locals as well as visitors who come in every year. Have a look at some of the most beautiful temples in the city like Jatmai Temple, Banjari Mata Mandir, ISKCON Temple, Rajiv Lochan Mandir and so many more. These tempels have unique architecture with intricate designing and murals that make it look very pretty.

Visit the 4th Largest Cricket Stadium in the World:

If you are a huge fan of cricket, head to Shahid Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium. This stadium is located a few kilometers away from the main city of Raipur and is a must visit. This is the one of the largest stadiums in India where a lot of premier league cricket games are held.

Gain Knowledge at the Energy Park:

Visit the unique amusement park called Energy Park in Raipur to experience something new. This park in Raipur is a place where you and your family can enjoy rides that are run by alternate sources of energy like solar energy. You can also learn more about utilizing energy in the right way and can spread awareness from your end as well.

Go on Safari:

You can even enjoy a safari in Raipur. A few kilometers from the main city is the Nadanvan Zoo and Safari. This is an ideal place to go to with your family, especially if you are with children. Go on a safari inside the park to see some of the endangered animals in the region in their natural habitat.

Spend a Day at Ghatarani Falls:

The Ghatarani Waterfalls in Raipur is the biggest one in the region and is absolutely marvelous. Visit these waterfalls in the monsoon months to get a proper feel of the place. The gushing water, cold winds and lush greenery around add to the scenic beauty of the falls, making it a serene place to go to.

Being the capital of the state and a very popular destination for travelers, Raipur has several food joints and different kinds of items that are suited for every palate. Raipur has some of the most chic cafes in the state which a lot of youngsters go to; if you’d like to try them out head over Nukkad, The Teafe in Samta Colony Main Road that gives you unique experience in the city. You can also try Café Junoon for some great food. But if you are looking for some authentic food from the region then you have to try out Aamat, which is similar to sambhar and is a delicacy of the region. You can also try out Bafauri which is cooked in chana dal with various vegetables and Dubki Kadi made with curd and is usually eaten with rice. All of these you can find at local restaurants around the city and some as snacks on roadside stalls as well.

Raipur is a city that is rich in tradition and culture and all of this is exhibited in handmade products by the tribal community of the region. You can find a number of items in local markets like terracotta figurines, stone sculptures, cotton fabrics, handicrafts, jewelry and so much more. You can also find beautiful saris with excellent zari work done on it in the Raipur markets. There are many street markets selling items carved out wood, side tables, boxes, show pieces etc. There are numerous shopping outlets that are run privately and many government organized emporiums within the city of Raipur where you can shop all of these products.