Jagdalpur is a city and a municipality in Bastar district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. The city is located on the south bank of the Indravati River, and has a population of approximately 250,000. It is the administrative headquarters of Bastar District and Bastar Division, and was the capital of the erstwhile princely state of Bastar.
Jagdalpur and its surrounding area comprise a major part of the Bastar District. The area is famous for age old wooden handicrafts. These are in high demand among both local as well as foreign tourists.
The history of Jagdalpur (Bastar) takes us as deep into the past as Valmiki's Ramayana. It was the famous Dandakaranya through which Lord Rama is supposed to have passed. Scholars have also identified Valmiki's ashram here.
The Bastar rulers trace their ancestry to Prithviraj Chauhan, the last Hindu king who ruled from Delhi in the 12th century. Bastar has seen the rule of number of kingdoms like the Nals ,Chalukyas and the Kakatiyas. The great Kakatiya King Pratap Rudra's brother, Annam Deo, left Warangal and established his kingdom at Bastar, around AD 1424.
Bastar has seen several hundred years of royal rule, wars of succession, conquering of kingdoms, battles, conspiracies etc. After Annam Deo it witnessed the rule of Hamir Deo ,Pratap Raj Deo ,Rajpal Deo,Dalpat Deo and others. It was during the reign of Dalpat Deo that the capital of their kingdom was shifted to Jagdalpur.
After the death of Dalpat Deo, his son Daryao Deo over threw his elder brother Ajmer Singh from the throne, and became the ruler. Ajmer Singh was successful in securing the throne back but after two years Daryao Deo once again succeeded in overthrowing Ajmer Singh and became the ruler.
In 1941, an Air strip was made at Jagdalpur. One bridge was also constructed during this time over river indravati. In 1948, Bastar state has been merged in Indian Union.
Maharaja Pravir Chandra Bhanj Deo got killed in a "police action" in mid sixties when he revolted against the Union Of India for the rights of tribals in his erstwhile principality, scores if not hundreds of tribals got killed in that police action defending their former ruler, who ultimately scumbed to 13 bullet injuries in Baster Palace. The current maharaja Kamal Chandra Bhanj Deo is his grand nephew.
Best time to visit Jagdalpur is betweenOctober to February and June to August
The Indian Rupee is the official currency of Jagdalpur. Currency can be converted at the currency change counters at the Banks in Chhattisgarh.
No permits are required to travel to Jagdalpur other than a visa for India.
By Road: Jagdalpur is well connected with road from the State capital Raipur and other parts of neighbouring state Orissa.
By Rail: A passenger train with sleeper coach iruns daily to Vishakhapatnam and vice-versa. The railway station is located in a naturally beautiful area, where sometimes film shootings are carried out. By Air: An Air Strip exists in Jagdalpur but at present no passenger services are provided from here.
Danteshwari Temple located around 80 km from Jagdalpur city is the famous and sacred temple of Ma Danteshwari, a local goddess, worshipped as an incarnation of Shakti. This temple is believed to posses several divine powers. Every year during Dushera thousands of tribals from surrounding villages and jungles gather here to pay homage to the goddess.
Chitrakot Waterfall is sometimes called as the Niagara Falls of India. During Monsoon one can see its might. The River Indravati falls from a height of 29 m to form this waterfall. It is located 48 km from Jagdalpur and is accessible by road only. There is a helipad but it is used by government only. A few small hotels and restaurants are located near the falls.
Kailash and Kotumsar Caves are the caves which are about 2 kms deep. They are situated at a distance of about 40 km from Jagdalpur. There is lack of oxygen when you go deep into the cave. So, they have been restricted to a fixed point.
Tiratgarh Waterfalls are situated at a distance of 35 km. from Jagdalpur in south west direction and can be approached through the state highway of Jagdalpur to Sukma. The waterfall is actually situated in Kanger Valley National Park and the height is approximately 300 ft in stages. This place is a favorite picnic spot, especially for large groups looking for a day-long picnic in a forest. The good season for visiting these waterfalls is from October to February.
The Sri Venkateshwara Swamy Temple in Jagdalpur is a result of dedicated, loving and tireless efforts of members of Andhra Association. The temple reaches out to serve spiritual, cultural and social dimensions of the society. The construction of the Balaji temple in Jagdalpur has been a dream come true to many of the devotees who can now have a hassle free darshan of the Lord nearer home. Every day devotees throng this sacred shrine of Lord Balaji also known as Sri Venkateswara Swamy, the all-pervading Lord of the Universe.
Bastar Palace is another historical remain that is seen in Jagdalpur. It was the head quarters of Bastar Kigdom. It was built by the rulers of Bastar State when the capital of Bastar kingdom had been shifted from Barsur to Jagdalpur. At present The Royal Family of Bastar state resides here.
Anthropological Museum is located in the office of the Anthropological Survey of India situated at Dharampura. It provides a glimpse into the life-styles of various adivasi tribes in Bastar to a tourist hard-pressed for time.
Shopping:
Handicrafts by Bastar tribals include wooden crafts, bamboo crafts, terracotta, bell metal items, wrought iron items and cotton fabrics (Kosa sari etc).
For the adventurous, there is the Royal Bastar Camp near the Chitrakoot waterfalls. Living in tents in the dense forest and trekking through the many trails are truly exciting. There are many small and big hotels available at Jagdalpur. Forest guest houses are available at Kutumsar, Jagdalpur, Darbha, Tirathgarh and adjoining regions. Booking for this can be done at the Directors office, Kanger Valley National Park, Jagdalpur. These guest houses are situated in pristine locations and have basic facilities. Cooks are available at each of them but you need to stock up the grocery for your duration of stay.
