Jagdalpur is a city in Chhattisgarh that is preferred by a lot of tourists for the purpose of completing their pilgrimage. Jagdalpur in Bastar District is an emerging destination and the city is trying to bring in more tourism; this being said, there are a lot of things to do in Jagdalpur that will keep you entertained throughout your trip there. Jagdalpur is very close to the capital city of Raipur and hence very convenient to travel from there or find any amenities. This city has an array of things to do; from magnificent temples, festival celebration, quaint rivers to waterfalls and gardens as well, Jagdalpur has a lot of experiences that you can soak in, let’s have a look at some of them.

The Chitrakote Falls near Jagdalpur is a famous one and is one of the broadest waterfalls in India. Also known by ‘Niagara of India’, Chitrakote falls has a horseshoe shape and is located in the western part of Jagdalpur in Bastar District. The water in this waterfall has its origin from the Indravati River that flows past the state. Chitrakote falls has a height 30 m and the width is 985 feet; during monsoons, this waterfall looks so majestic that you would definitely want to visit. At the bottom where the water falls, there are a lot of small temples that you can visit, giving a rustic experience to your trip.

Jagdalpur is full of temples and some really beautiful ones; leaving aside the famous ones in the area, there are a lot of small temples on the banks of the Indravati River. Located at a distance of about 50 km from the main center of Jagdalpur city is Barsur, a place that has several temples dedicated to different gods. The entire area is covered with almost 147 temples and is said to be very ancient, a 1000 years old. Some of the notable temples in Barsur are the Shiva Temple that has 32 pillars and a Nandi Bail statue. Then there is another Shiv Temple with 12 pillars, Mama Bhanja Temple that has a height of 50 feet but does not have any deity. The most popular temple here is the Ganesh Temple that houses huge idols of Lord Ganesha that are 8 ft and 17 ft high.

One of the most picturesque falls in the vicinity of Jagdalpur is the Chitradhara Falls. The white cascade of water falling down from a height is absolutely magnificent to watch. This waterfall is situated in a town called Potanar, which is very close to Jagdalpur and also has a shape of a horseshoe. The water from this height gushes down with a lot of excitement along with a very fast pace. Chitradhara Falls is not as famous as the other falls in the vicinity but, this waterfall is the perfect place to relax and have a picnic with your friends and family with the most serene view of the water. You can even go for a swim in the water that is collected after it falls from the height.

Dalpat Sagar in Chhattisgarh is the biggest man-made lake in the state and is about 400 years old that was originally built to harvest rain water; it is now also used for tourism and fishing purposes today. In the center of this lake there is an artificial island that is made for the recreation of tourists, where families can enjoy picnics and also have the chance to relax. This island has musical fountain, light tower, and also a temple that gives it a more rustic feel. There are boating facilities in the lake that one can avail for recreation and can look at marvelous sunsets from the island itself. This place makes for a great day trip with your family.

Jagdalpur is a city that is surrounded by a vast expanse of forest and wildlife with various sanctuaries like the Indravati National Park and the Kanger Valley National Park. One of the most popular things to do in these national parks is to go on a safari. These safaris are organized by the national park itself and they allot a guide who will drive you around the forest premises showing you habitation of different animals and if you are lucky, you may be able to spot some of the most endangered species living in that area. This is a great way to be close to nature as well as well as learn more about these animals and their habitats. Along with that the guide will also show you a variety of plants and sightings of birds that come to that area especially in the winter time.

Located close to Teerathgarh falls in Jagdalpur, the Mandawa Falls is another waterfall which one must definitely visit. Located in Mandwa, this waterfall falls from a height of 70 ft and the water falls stepwise as opposed to any regular waterfall. This water that is collected at the bottom collects in a small reservoir and eventually meets the Kanger River and this forms two other waterfalls as well. The water that is collected is a great place to go for a swim, especially in the hot summers of the region, although you might want to be careful as well when you go in there. During monsoons, this waterfall looks even more exuberant and is enjoyed by many visitors.

Celebrated in the state of Chhattisgarh with a lot of enthusiasm is the festival of Dussehra. These celebrations are done to pay respect to Maa Danteshwari, the prime goddess that is worshipped by almost everyone in the region. This festival is celebrated with much fervor throughout the state, but with a lot more enthusiasm in Jagdalpur, where the shrine of Goddess Danteshwari resides. Take part in the holy celebration that lasts for ten days that has worship sessions in which the arms of the goddess are considered divine elements and are worshiped. Along with that a lot of Bhajans are sung along with chanting of prayers and aartis.

Located on the banks of Indravati River, very close to Jagdalpur is a village by the name of Barsur. This village used to be the place where Gangawanshi rulers had their hold in 840 AD. This village is known for its temples and is called the city of temples; there are about 147 temples strewn all over this village that are worthy of visiting. One of the most popular attractions in this village is the Chandraditya Temple that is made out of sandstone beside which is a Ganesh temple that has huge idols of Lord Ganesha. Along with temples you can also witness the lifestyle of the tribal people living there to know more about their culture as well.

Another beautiful structure in the city of Jagdalpur is the Jama Masjid, a mosque and a place of worship mainly for the Muslim community. The mosque by the same name exists in Uttar Pradesh which is the original one, but this is a replica of the same and is equally beautiful. This mosque must be visited on your trip to Jagdalpur, especially during Eid and Ramzan. The Masjid is decorated with lights and you can see a sea of people coming in to pray. This mosque will give you an edge and show you a different side to Jagdalpur as most of the temples in the region are Hindu Temples. Visit this mosque during festivals like Ramzan and Eid to make the most out of the experience of visiting.

The Shaheed Park in Jagdalpur also known as Shahid Park Nehru Bal Udyan is one of the most popular parks in the city. Irrespective of what age group you fit in, this park is the best place to go to if you want to relax and have a peaceful moment with nature. There is a play area for children while the adults can sit on the lush green grass and enjoy the breeze and the sereneness created by the plants and trees all around. There is also a small toy train that goes around the arch in the evening, and you can ride it with your children to have a new experience.