The Chitrakoot Falls, popularly known as the Niagra Gir of India, is indeed a spectacle to behold. One of the largest and most powerful waterfalls in the country, Chitrakoot The waterfall is one of the most notable attractions in Jagdalpur city. However, there are many other interesting things in the city that will mesmerize you in the form of Chitrakoot Falls. There are a number of Tourist places near Chitrakoot Falls Which are worth exploring because of their beauty and cultural importance.
7 tourist places near Chitrakoot Falls
If you are coming to Chitrakoot (or have fallen, you have already visited Gir, here are some other tourist places near the Chitrakoot Falls:
1. Kanger Valley National Park
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Established in 1982, the Kanger Valley’s youth national park is an absolute delight for nature lovers. The national park is less than an hour-long drive from the falls and is an ideal day-long holiday for those who have the luxury of time.
Since the national park is not a mainstream destination at all, it does not attract much crowds. The tranquil atmosphere of the park makes it an excellent tourist destination for couples near Chitrakoot Falls. This means, amidst the lush green forest, the drowning sounds of the chirping birds and the presence of only a limited number of people, you can spend the day staying in contact with your wild side.
Additional Information: Biodiversity is worth visiting many places within the reserve. However, all these places are available only after growing a few kilometers of small forest. These include Kotamsar (5 km), Kanger Dhara (7 km), Kailash Jhel or Lake (1.5 km). This diversity makes Kanger Valley National Park one of the most versatile tourist destinations around Chitrakoot Falls.
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2. Kailash and Kutumsar Caves
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The two places that we have omitted from the list of sites within the Kanger Valley National Park are the Kailash and Kutmasar caves. The caves are easily accessible by a very pleasant trip through the dense forest of Kanger Valley National Park and are among the best tourist places near Chitrakoot Falls.
First, the recently discovered (1993) talks about the Kailash caves. The cave system is a small one, only 250 meters in length but still, offers some spectacular views of the stalactite and stalagmite formations. The reason behind naming the caves after the Kailash caves is that at the end of the cave, the stalagmite formations resemble a Shivalinga. Another interesting thing about the Kailash caves is the acoustic properties of its walls which emit sound as soon as they hit hands.
Kutmassar caves are mysterious models of Kailash caves. Ironically, the cave is also the most biologically discovered cave in India. At 1370 meters in length, the caves are 35 meters below ground level. As a result, there are many areas within the cave that never had access to any sunlight. There are also dark pools and cold corners, and even some areas where there is a lack of oxygen. The cave system has five separate chambers that facilitate some excellent, naturally generating, acoustics.
Additional Information: The caves are closed to the public from 15 June to 31 October due to monsoon rains. A lot of debris is collected inside the caves due to the rain, which needs to be removed before it can open again for tourists.
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3. Tirathgarh Waterfalls
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At a distance of about 35 km from Jagdalpur city center, this waterfall is quite close to Kutumsar Cave. The waterfall is a staggering 91 m (299 ft) drop and is truly a spectacle for nature lovers. The waterfall area is surrounded by lush green forest and is a favorite picnic spot among the locals and thus, it is one of the famous tourist destinations near Chitrakoot Falls.
For those looking for a little extra adventure, there is the option of going down to the ghat below the waterfall. The bottom can be reached by taking a flight of 210 stairs. This ladder is well built and is very easy to navigate for people of all age groups and fitness levels.
Additional Information: Bad food is served in restaurants and shops near the Tirathgarh waterfall area, if stale food and expired products are not found. To protect yourself from an experience that could potentially ruin your entire trip, we recommend carrying your food and water when you travel to Tirathgarh waterfall.
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4. Zoological Anthropological Museum
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Like most other museums, the Zonal Anthropological Museum allows visitors to take a sneak peak at a different era. However, unlike most museums, it focuses on the past of a homogenous Bastar tribe.
Established in 1972, the museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts, art, weapons, utensils, jewelry, clothes collected from the tribe during the 70s and 80s. The museum skillfully places these artifacts in such a way that before the onslaught of the infrastructure revolution in the area, Bastar describes the life of the tribe’s “tribals”. History buffs or not, a glimpse into the life of a tribe more than any city-dweller imagines, from a time when most visitors were not even born, is sure to take anyone’s interest into account.
Additional Information: The museum is located in the premises of the Anthropological Survey Office of India and is only 4 kilometers from the city center. The museum is open to visitors from 10: AM to 5:30 PM. During this time, the museum is closed for half an hour between 1:30 am to 2:00 pm. There is no entry fee for visitors.
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5. Godavari
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The Guptas are a pair of Godavari caves, with a rich mythological story attached to them. According to Hindu mythology, the caves were used by Lord Rama and his brother Lord Lakshmana to hold secret meetings.
With grandeur compared to famous Indian caves such as Elephanta Caves, Gupta Godavari caves are relatively unexplored by tourists.
While one of the caves has a very small entrance through which visitors can barely pass, the other has a stream of water that can be knee-deep at some points.
Additional Information: The story of Lord Rama and Lord Laxman holding secret meetings and courts inside the caves originated because one of the caves has a throne-like structure, which is believed to have been used by Lord Rama during his session as a throne. I did.
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6. Bharat Milap Temple
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People familiar with Epic Ramcharitmanas written by sage Valmiki know about Bharat Milap. For those who are not familiar with the incident, it happened after the death of King Dasharatha, the father of Lord Rama. The then ruling king, King Bharata, the brother of Lord Rama, descended on Mount Kamadgiri to convince his elder brother to return to his homeland in Ayodhya and reclaim the throne.
Legend states that the incident was so emotional that it melted the rocks in the area, as a result, the footsteps of Lord Rama and King Bharata were marked in the rocks.
Those who feel unlikely in this story should definitely visit India Milap Temple to see the footsteps that have been carved in the rocks till date.
Additional Information: For pilgrims, another activity of interest near the India MIlap temple is the parikrama (circumference) of the Kamdirigiri hill.
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7. Kalinjar Fort
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Located about 88 km from Chitrakoot, Kalinjar Fort is an ancient archeological marvel that offers spectacular views of the plains around it. At a height of 1200 feet from the ground, the Kalinjar Fort was built in the 9th century by the Chandela Kings. Historically, the fort was seen as a symbol of great power among local Indian kings, and thus, there was a lot of conflict over control of the region.
The fort also contains several temples within its complex, including a temple with paintings of Lord Shiva, Ganesha, Hanuman and Kala Bhairo, making it an important pilgrimage site for Hindus across the country. has gone.
Additional Information: Kalinjar Fort is one of the oldest surviving architectural marvels in India and has a rich and interesting history that begins in the 9th century. Interestingly, there was a late struggle for control of the fort until 1569 when the Mughal king Akbar took control of the fort and later gifted it to his famous companion Birbal.
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If you are looking for a quick getaway, which includes an equal amount of adventure, history and spiritualism, then Jagdalpur should be high on your priority list. The above listed tourist places near Chitrakoot Falls will tell you about cultural and traditional importance. When planning your Chhattisgarh vacation, keep the list in mind.
Frequently asked questions about tourist places near Chitrakoot Falls
a. From the lush green cover of the forest to the presence of mystic caves, Jagdalpur is surprisingly full of places that are of interest to travelers. The best thing is that the destination is relatively unclear right now, and offers travelers a very unique chance to discover an offbeat destination. Some of the most notable sites in and around Jagdalpur are Chitrakoot Falls, Bahrat Milap Temple and Kutmasar Cave. However, the list is not limited to these places.
a. Jagdalpur has a railway station which is about 40 km from the Chitrakoot Falls. From the railway station, there are local buses that will take you to the Chitrakoot Falls but there are only 3-4 buses from the railway station to the falls. From Chitrakoot Falls, the last bus for Jagdalpur departs at 5:30 pm. The nearest airport to Jagdalpur is Visakhapatnam, which is well connected to Jagdalpur by road public transport.
a. The post-monsoon months (September and October) are the most suitable for exploring Jagdalpur. At this time, the weather is pleasant and due to the recently passed monsoon rains, the waterfalls in the area are flowing in all glory. Keep in mind that this is the peak season to visit the area and thanks to a combination of high tourist footfall and underdeveloped tourism infrastructure, finding a decent accommodation can become a challenge.
a. While this may sound attractive, swimming at the Chitrakoot Falls is extremely dangerous and, thus, prohibited.
a. As tourism is a freshly developed industry, Chitrakoot currently lacks restaurants serving good food. There have also been reports of shops near the falls selling expired goods such as biscuits and wafers. For this reason, when you visit Chitrakoot Falls, it is strongly recommended to carry your own food and water.
a. While in Chhattisgarh when it comes to safety (women and generally) during travel, Jagdalpur is a quiet and peaceful city, which is completely safe for visitors including women.
