Glimpses of Chhattisgarh --- Part 2

 Jagdalpur

The next day, early morning, I took a taxi to Jagdalpur, and in between I stopped at many places to take some good photos. I would not have been able to do this if I had travelled by other means of transportation. However, if you are not going to take photographs as I did, then you could reach Jagdalpur in an hour within INR 1,999 by flight or in 7 hours by bus within INR 380.  

On reaching Sudha Palace Hotel in Jagdalpur, I got fresh and had breakfast. This hotel provided all the basic facilities that the other hotels render and also offered vehicle rentals, photocopying, and dispensers which made it different from others. As it was post-monsoon times, I booked a Standard Room which did not have AC. If you happen to be visiting in summer you will need an AC Room. I was happy with the mobile network and also the free Wi-Fi. The room cost was INR 1293 and the Deluxe AC room would have costed INR 1749.  We took some packed food and decided to have food on the way.

Chitrakote Waterfall

At 9:05 AM we reached the Chitrakote Waterfall. Indravati River falls from about 90 to 100 feet in height and causes the majestic Chitrakote Waterfalls. The water of this fall looks reddish generally and during summer moonlight night it looks just white. This waterfall is very stunning. Once upon a time, various herds of deer had inhabited the area around Chitrakote, so only this name was given to the waterfall as in the Halbi dialect Chitar means deer.

Considered the important Waterfall of Bastar Division and the largest waterfall in Chhattisgarh, it became quite popular due to its proximity to Jagdalpur. It is the broadest waterfall in India.

Tourists find this waterfall extremely beautiful. When much of the Indravati River’s water falls from the Vindhya ranges the resulting waterfall captures everyone’s attention. 

As it looks like a horse-feet shape, it is rightly called the Niagara Falls of India.
This waterfall is visible throughout the year in every season but the scene becomes a must-watch during the monsoon season. Rainwater falls on the Waterfall, making huge roaring sounds. During monsoon season these springs become all the more enchanting. A dense forest surrounds it from all sides and further beautifies the serene beauty of this scenic waterfall. 
This Waterfall splits into three to seven Waterfalls on different occasions. The best time to watch this waterfall is from July to October month. Boating through the pristine waters of Chitrakote waterfalls is just a magical experience!   

Chitrakoot Waterfall or Chitrakote Waterfall (View 1)

Chitrakoot Waterfall or Chitrakote Waterfall (Video 1)

Chitrakoot Waterfall or Chitrakote Waterfall & Boating (View 1)

Boating & Chitrakoot Waterfall or Chitrakote Waterfall (Video 1)

How You Can Reach Here

This waterfall is about 40 KM away from Jagdalpur and about 273 KM away from Raipur.

You can reach Raipur Airport, about 284 KM away from the Chitrakote Waterfall, and hire a taxi to Chitrakote Waterfall. Under the banner of the UDAN Scheme, the Chhattisgarh Government has Bastar Airport operated and managed quite well. Currently, AIRODISHA operates flights between Jagdalpur & Raipur and Vishakapatnam.

Jagdalpur, the District headquarters of Bastar district, is well connected to the Vishakapatnam and Raipur by railways. Jagdalpur railway station operates under the East Coast Railway. You can board either of the following routes trains, Vishakapatnam -Kirandul Passenger or Durg -Jagdalpur Express or Hawrah-Koraput Express or Hirakhand Express or Vishakapatnam-Jagdalpur Expressto reach Jagdalpur. You can book a taxi to the Chitrakote waterfall from the Jagdalpur Railway Station.

Bus services run regularly, whether express or sleeper-based, between Jagdalpur City (Bastar) and other cities of India. These operate daily, through a well-connected network of national highways such as NH 30. Bus transporters from other states also operate such as TSRTC (Jagdalpur-Hyderabad), APRTC (Jagdalpur -Vishakapatnam, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry), OSRTC, etc. The best way to travel would be by hiring a private taxi to Chitrakote Waterfall.

A Unique Experience

We did boating for INR 25 per head. It was a very thrilling experience. When our boat was nearing the waterfall it became extremely adventurous. For a moment or so our breaths stopped out of fear. Water droplets as sprinkles were hitting us. Many of us closed our eyes due to the well-known dangers involved. Some screamed at real adventure. We soon came to the banks, leaving the boat. Without doing anything we felt so tired that so many stairs that we stepped down while coming to boating seemed almost impossible to be climbed. Many on the way sat on stairs, took some rest, then climbed the rest of the too many stairs which went zig zag.   

Boating & Chitrakoot Waterfall or Chitrakote Waterfall (Video 2) 

Chitrakoot Waterfall or Chitrakote Waterfall After Boating (View 1)

Chitrakoot Waterfall or Chitrakote Waterfall After Boating (View 2)

Kanger Ghati National Park

At 12:05 PM we left for Ghati National Park. We reached the Kanger Ghati National Valley in exactly one hour. About 34 KM away from Jagdalpur is a famous biosphere reserve known for its spell-bound scenic beauty. It has a rich biodiversity. In 1982 this biosphere reserve called Kanger Valley was given the status of National Park, hence its name changed to Kanger Valley National Park. Carved out of Machkote, Kanger, and Darbha ranges of Central Forest Division this national park currently comes under the Jagdalpur Wildlife Circle comprising of Kotumsar and Koleng Ranges.

This national park is spread from Teerathgarh Waterfall to Kolab River touching Odisha State boundary, about 33.5 km in length and about 6 km in breadth covering an area of about 200 sq. km. Located within Eastern Ghats, this national park is also called the Kanger Ghati National Park. It lies in the catchment area of the Kanger River.  

Kanger Valley National Park & Its Bioreserve

This national park has many tourist attractions and a variety of wildlife, trees, plants, and shrubs. It has deciduous forest-type flora, that includes bamboo, saal, and teak trees. An amazing and interesting fact is that within the Indian subcontinent, only this forest area remains untouched. Cobra, Chital, Sambhar, Tiger, Wolf, Python, Langoor, Sloth Bear, Wild Cat, Flying Squirrel, Lizards, Wild Pigs, Striped Hyena, Leopard, and Snakes are some major wild animals seen here. Also, various endangered species, like, spotted owls, peacocks, parrots, eagles, and heron birds can be seen here. Besides this, it also has a large tribal population. Generally, scientists, researchers, and nature lovers visit this place for their individual, and different motives.

Forests account for 44% of the Chhattisgarh state area. In the category of the largest forest, the Chhattisgarh State ranks third within India. It falls under the Deccan Bio Geographical Zone.

Kind of Land Surface

Kanger Valley is home to low flat land, gentle land, steeply sloped land, plateaus, streams, and waterfalls. This is why, various kinds of flora and fauna exist here, making it the hotspot of biodiversity within Central India. Its name is derived from the Kanger River which flows through this national park from northwest to southeast.

Geo Data Related to Kanger Valley National Park                                                                         Its height from sea level is 38m to 781m. The minimum temperature ranges from      3 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius in winter to 20 degrees Celsius to 42 degrees Celsius in summer. It has an average rainfall of 152 cm.

Its forest type is moist peninsular Sal. This national park is located in the transition zone where the southern limit of Sal forest and the northern limit of teak forests are all grown here.

Holiday Duration of the Park

This national park is open for visitors in summer from 1^st March to 30^th June and in winter from 1^st November to 28^th or 29^th February from 8 am to 4 pm as the case may be.

Social Aspects of the Park

Within this national park, many tribal communities reside in harmony with various wild animal species.

Near By Tourist Caves

Kotumsar Cave, Kailash Cave, and Dandak Cave are a few caves found here. These caves are rich in limestone. Around 50 villages surround it and one forest village lies inside this national park. You can enter from the Kotumsar Gate or the Netanar Gate while visiting this national park. You cannot visit this national park in the night hours.

About the Mouse Deer Spotted

Recently, in this national park, a rare Indian mouse deer or spotted Chevrotain was spotted. It is the smallest and a highly nocturnal deer found in India, scientifically named the  Moschiola Indica. This endemic deer species is found in Peninsular India and Nepal. A Sri Lankan species called Moschiola Meminna is quite different from it. Within India, it was spotted in the Western Ghats, the Eastern Ghats up to the Odisha State, and in Central Indian forests.

It is small, 25 to 30 cm at shoulder height, weighs two to four Kilograms, and has a three-chambered stomach. It searches for fruits, roots, leaves, and herbs in the forest though occasionally it has been seen eating insects and smaller mammals.

Mandatory Things You Should Bring Along

All visitors are required to carry their original ID, ticket, and woollen clothes. if you are visiting in winter, as during Safari it becomes extremely cold. 

How You Can Reach Here

You can reach Jagdalpur Airport and from there you can book a taxi to Kanger Valley National Park.

Kanger Valley National Park, a Unique Jungle Safari in a National Park (View 1)

You can reach Jagdalpur Railway Station and from there you can book a taxi to Kanger Valley National Park.

Using a private jeep/car or by hiring it you can reach Jagdalpur using the Raipur to Jagdalpur route covering a distance of about 303 KM, Visakhapatnam to Jagdalpur route covering a distance of about 313 KM, Vijayawada to Jagdalpur route covering a distance of about 435 KM, Hyderabad to Jagdalpur route covering a distance of about 565 KM, Rajnandgaon to Jagdalpur route covering a distance of about 320 KM.

Concluding Remark

These were indeed the best tourist places in Chattisgarh in my views.

Such was the strong impression of the Chitrakote Waterfall or Chitrakoot Waterfall that I can never forget this moment in my lifetime.

I searched for parks near me or parks closest to me and the Kanger Valley National Park opened, I was too impressed by the thought of jungle safari or tiger safari, wildlife national park or forest or dense forest and so I travelled this far, now I this it was value for money!