A picturesque town of Chattisgarh, Kawardha is a located along the scenic Maikal Hill ranges. Known for the famous Kanha National Park, Kawardha attracts a lot of tourists, making it one of the most popular holiday destinations of Chattisgarh. Kawardha is a district in Chhattisgarh which has gained considerable recognition owing to the inhabitance of a section of the tribal population of India.
The Gond and Baiga tribes form the majority population here which gives a glimpse into their life when one is in Kawardha. They dwell in dense forests and very difficult to access.. A stay at Kawardha is surely a unique experience as one can discover the rich heritage of this place.What makes the trip exciting is the number of things one can do from excursions to visiting temples to going on picnics. History:
The history of Kawardha can be traced to the period between 1895 and 1902 A.D. This was the time when Kawardha was marked on the Indian political map. It was then a part of the Mandla District. In the times to come Kawardha shifted becoming part of several districts in Madhya Pradesh from time to time. While between 1903 and 1911 Kawardha was a part of the Bilaspur District and then between 1912 and 1948 Kawardha belonged to the Raipur District, then it became a part of Durg District from 1948 to 1973. Finally it in 1998 it became a district on its own. Earlier a part of Madhya Pradesh, Kawardha is now a district in the newly formed state of Chattisgarh. The history of Kawardha can be seen in the ancient temples and monuments. A place with such rich heritage surely promises to make the trip memorable.
Best For:
Trekking and Nature Walks
Sight seeing
Visiting temples
The summers in Kawardha is very hot so the best time to visit is winter, between the months of October and March.
No permits are required to travel to Bhopal, other than a visa for India.
The best option is to exchange currency at Chattisgarh. Very few hotels are able to exchange currency/travellers cheques but a better rate can be got from bigger bank branches. At Kawardha, very few shops and establishments would accept Visa and Mastercard.
The best way to get to Kawardha is to take a flight or train to Raipur from Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai or Bhubaneswar. Raipur is the capital of Chattisgarh and situated at a distance of about 140 kilometers from Kawardha. Moreover, Kawardha is well served by regular bus service from Bilaspur which is 124 kilometers away from the city
By Air
The Raipur Airport is the nearest domestic Airport to Kawardha. From Raipur the best mode of transport to reach Kawardha is by bus. It is a 140 kms drive from Raipur to Kawardha. The Raipur is well connected to major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, Indore.
By Train
To reach Kawardha you could take a train till Raipur or Bilaspur., these are the two nearest railheads to reach Kawardha. From Raipur and Bilaspur there are a lot of buses one can take to reach Kawardha.
By Road:
Kawardha is well connected by roads from Raipur. It is a 140 kms drive from Raipur and a 124 kms drive from Bilaspur with regular buses plying between these locations. There are lots of state run and private buses to travel.
Getting Around – Trekking
Owing to its scenic location by the Maikal Ranges the River Sakri make trekking in Kawardha a memorable experience. The trek route is scenic and a fascinating one. The visit to the Kanha National Park would be a perfect excursion for adventure lovers. A part of Kawardha also extends into Bastar, a trek through this area gives a glimpse into the life of the tribe which dwell in the dense inaccessible jungles of Bastar, the Gong and Baiga tribes. A lot of tourists also take treks to the Saroda Reservoir and to the Shiva Bhoramdeo Temple.
Tribal Settlements
There are lot of tribal communities that reside in this part of the world. Among these the names of the Gond and the Baiga tribes are worth mentioning. The primitive ways of livelihood of the people come in striking contrast to that of the urban life that in turn makes a fascinating thing to witness and learn.
Kawardha Palace
Now a Heritage Hotel the Kawardha Palace is a situated by the Maikal Hill. This Palace was designed and built by Maharaja Dharamraj Singh between the period 1936 and 1939. The Kawardha Palace is the most popular tourist destination here. Set amid 11 acres of lush gardens, Kawardha Palace is run by Yuvraj Yogeshwar Raj Singh and Yuvrani Kirti Singh in house guest tradition. The palace is an elegant building with Italian marble floors, stuffed tigers and European bathroom fittings. Hathi Darwaza, literally means 'Elephant Gate', is the main entrance to the palace. Another attractive feature is the Durbar Hall, which is noted for its impressive dome, marble staircases, beautiful filigree work and high ceiling lounges.
Radha Krishna Temple
This ancient temple was built in 180 years, is a shrine that was built by the fore fathers of Raja Ujiyar Singh. The temple is known for the underground rooms where the sages practiced asceticism. There is a scenic Ujiyar Sagar a Holy water tank just by the Palace which adds to its beauty.
Bhormdeo Mandwa Mahal and Madan Manjari Mahal
These temples are known for the intricate and exquisite carvings which depict deities involved in religious activities. Also seen at the temples is the art depicting baffling eroticism which is comparable to those of the Khajuraho Temples.
Lohara Bavli
Lohara Bavli is only 20 kms from Kawardha and was built by Baijnath Singh around 120 years ago. This ancient temple has a unique well which is inside and not outside. It is said that these rooms were built to help beat the heat during the summers.
Saroda Reservoir
An ideal place for trekking. A lot of tourists trek to the Saroda Reservoir and enjoy swimming and fishing here. It is only 12 kms from Kawardha.
The Kanha National Park is the largest wildlife reserve in India in context to the area of this park. A perfect place to trek, this wildlife reserve is a home to a lot animals like Royal Bengal Tiger, the Sambar, Barasinga, the Gaur, spotted deer, and the wild dog.
Where To Eat:
Most of the eating stalls offer traditional North Indian food at very reasonable rates. To try out a traditional meal, one would have to dine at the Kawardha Palace for a unique royal dining experience.
Where To Stay:
The Accommodation at Kawardha is decent with basic facilities. Most of the Lodges and hotels make sure that all modern day provisions are offered to the guests. Most of the hotels fall in the budget category while there are a few luxurious hotels to offer best comforts. For the Royal experience one would have to stay at the Kawardha Palace.
This popular holiday destinations of Chattisgarh is a must visit with a unique blend of activities that a tourist can experience here, from getting acquainted with the life of tribes to seeing the royal Palaces to the marvelous architecture of the temples to trekking through the scenic terrain and visiting India’s largest wildlife reserve.
