Located in the southern Bastar region of Chhattisgarh is Dantewada District that also has a town named Dantewada. This region is full of temples, historical ruins, archeological marvels and wildlife sanctuaries. Dantewada is quite popular among tourists as there is a variety of things to see. There are several tourist places to visit in Dantewada with the Danteshwari temple being the most famous attraction. Other than temples, Dantewada is surrounded by forest area where several species of animals, birds and plants exist. On the whole, there is something for everyone; let’s have a look at some of the attractions that you must visit when you are on your trip to Dantewada.

The most popular attraction and the reason why most people go to Dantewada is the Danteshwari Temple. This temple is so significant because it is one of the 52 Shakti Peeths, meaning that it is one of the shrines of Shakti, a version of Goddess Durga. The shrine is visited by many across the country and highly revered by the locals. The Chalukyas used to rule Dandetwada back in the 14th century and they were the ones who built this temple. This temple is best visited during Dussehra in the fall where this place of worship is beautifully decorated and the festival celebration commences in full enthusiasm.

Located at a distance of 48 km from the main part of Dantewada District is an important wildlife region known as Indravati National Park. The name of the national park is derived from the Indravati river that passes through it. Indravati National Park is most famous for the inhabitation of a rare species of wild buffalo and is not seen anywhere else in the country. This National Park is one of the most famous and the most important wildlife home in Chhattisgarh. Other than buffaloes, you can find a variety of oter species like Nilgai, Chausingha, Black BuckChital, Sambar and many more.

If you are looking to visit a temple with great architecture, then the Mama-Bhanja Temple in Dantewada is the one you should be going to. Constructed in a Dravidian style, this temple is a fest to the eye; the old structure is still not dilapidated and is awe inspiring for anyone who goes to visit. The temple houses a shrine of Lord Ganesha and Lord Vishnu incarnated as Narasimha. The temple is well sculpted with beautiful murals and also has a dome that goes up to a height of 50 ft. Once you are done praying and seeing this temple, you can go to a Shiva and a Ganesha temple that is located very close to Mama-Bhanja Temple.

Dantewada is surrounded by several national parks and sanctuaries with Kanger Ghati National Park being one of them. The national park is located at a distance of 71.1 km from Dandewada district and takes almost 2 hours to reach. Declared a national park in the year 1982, the Kanger Ghati National Park is spread over an area of 200 sq km. The national park also has the Kanger valley flowing parallel to it where numerous species of birds, both local and migratory come to breed in the winter season. You can spot pythons, tigers, cobras, monitor lizards, crocodiles and many other animals. This is a great place for a nature enthusiast to visit and spend an entire day.

Barsur is a village located close to Dantewada and is of great historical and archeological significance. The Gangawanshi kingdom once ruled this region in 840 AD and Barsur was the home of the royals. Barsur is popularly known as the ‘city of temples’ as it is said that there used to be 147 temples in this village at one time. The place has dilapidated over the years but a few temples still remain intact. Visit the Twin Ganesha Temple in Barsur to witness the third largest Ganesha idol in the world. Don’t forget to visit other places of worship like Battisa Temple and Mama Bhanja Temple to get a full experience of this ancient village.

Dantewada is famous for archeological ruins, one of them being the memory pillars of Gamawada. This attraction used to be a burial ground during the megalithic age and you will find several pillars surrounding the burial spot that are made of stone; these pillars are said to be almost 3000 years old and resemble the Stonehenge in United Kingdom. It was a tradition back in the day that when the tribals would bury the deceased, they would erect a stone pillar in their memory. This is an interesting place to visit for historians, archeologists and people who are interested in these topics as well.

Two temples were discovered in Dantewada that were located at the highest peak in the mountains. One was Dholkal Ganesh and the other was the Surya Temple; both these temples are situated at a height of 3000 ft and set up in front of a magnificent view. The Ganesh Temple has an idol of Ganesha which the archeologists say was made in the 11th century; but the idol at the Surya Temple was stolen. To reach this spot, you can trek for 5 km on the Bailadila range and get a view of the beautiful mountains. Many people who are able to trek go up to these mountains experience the scenic view and offer prayers to the almighty.

The Battisa Temple is located in the archeological ruins of Barsur, which is quite close to Dantewada. Appealing to people who love historical structures and old sculptures, this temple is absolutely worth checking out. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and you can find two shiv lings inside the temple. The temple is clean, well maintained and has a very peaceful atmosphere. The temple is a wonderful example of ancient architecture and also houses other idols of different gods. Don’t miss this temple in Barsur.

Bairamgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is a sanctuary located at about 45 km from Dantewada and is the closest one in the area. Since it is very close to Indravati National Park, it also inhabits the rare species of buffaloes. Other than the buffalo, you can find various other animals like barking deer, Gaur, Sambar Sloth Bear and Jackal among many others. You can also find a variety of fauna like teak and sal. The national park has a lot of marshy land close to the river, making it an apt place for breeding of birds. Visit this wildlife sanctuary to have a vivid experience.

It is true that indeed Dantewada has everything; from temples to waterfalls to beautiful mountain ranges that stand tall. The Bailadila Mountain range in Dantewada is worth seeing; it rises in the Deccan Plateau and lies about 200 km from the Eastern ghats. The shape of the mountain range is that of an Ox and hence it is named Bailadila. These hills are situated at a distance of 40 km from the main part of Dantewada district. To get a full view of the mountain, go for a trek on these medium easy trails and glance at some of the most marvellous views of tall mountains, green forests and fresh air.