8 Best Historical Places To Visit In Chhattisgarh (2024)
History is one subject that keeps us connected to our roots and gives us the feeling of pride about being born on the land which has witnessed a plenty of glorious days. While each tourist destination has their unique attractions, extraordinary elements and exclusive features, which makes it all the more difficult to choose the perfect destination for a historic vacation. However, with the Indian state of Chhattisgarh one can definitely not go wrong. Located in the central India, the state of Chhattisgarh is bestowed with a rich cultural heritage and astounding natural beauty which makes you never want to leave the place. Filled with several royal palaces and historic monuments, each with a unique traditional and cultural value associated with it, it is a pleasure for every history buff to explore the several sightseeing attractions of Chhattisgarh. With such a wide range of attractions to visit and admire, confusion is bound to happen. However, you have nothing to worry about because we have already done the hard job for you. In this article, we have already shortlisted the top 8 historical places to visit in Chhattisgarh. Continue reading to know more!
8 Best Historical Places To Visit In Chhattisgarh
Historical Places of Chhattisgarh:
1. Bastar Palace:
Tracing its origins back to the prehistoric times, Bastar palace is one archaic palace which served as the chief administrative building of the Bastar district. Constructed when the kings of Bastar moved their capital to Jagdalpur, this is one of the top historic tourist places to visit in Chhattisgarh today. The walls of the palace sport some intriguing wall carvings, beautiful figurines, etchings and drawings, that you will at once feel transported back to the times of kings and queens. The palace is nothing short of an architectural marvel that reflects the courage and bravery of its rulers. You can even go for a ride on the horse carriage here.
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Highlight of the place: With wide corridors and beautiful garden, the palace premises also house a vast museum displaying several precious artefacts such as ornaments, clothes and weapons of the royal family.
Location: Jagdalpur, Bastar district, Chhattisgarh
2. Bhoramdeo Temple
If you are a true history buff, then Bhoramdeo is a must-visit tourist place in Chhattisgarh for you. Built long back in history between the 7th and 11th centuries, this temple is nothing short of an architectural miracle. Nestled amidst the mesmerising setting of mighty Maikal mountains, apart from religious and historic significance, the temple also assures of plethora of panoramic natural views. Bearing a striking resemblance to the Sun temple of Konark and the Khajuraho temples of Madhya Pradesh, the Bhoramdeo temple is popularly known as the Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is a fine example of incredible Nagar style of architecture.
Highlight of the place: Over the temple complex, you can witness a plenty of remarkably sculpted images of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha.
Location: Kawardha, Chhattisgarh
Opening Hours: The temple is open from 5 AM till 12 PM. It reopens from 4 PM till 9 PM.
3. Palace Kawardha:
Situated on the Maikal ranges at an altitude of about 941 m above the sea level, this historical sightseeing attraction in Chhattisgarh is extremely popular because of its extraordinary location. Sprawled over a vast area of 11 acres, be it the lovely garden or the stunning architectural style, the palace will win you over in just a glance.
Constructed long back in the 1930s with stones and marbles, the palace reflects the rich culture of the place.
Highlight of the place: Currently, this great historical palace has been turned into a beautiful heritage hotel. So, if you are finding a luxury accommodation in the region, this place is definitely worth considering.
Location: Rani Durgawati, Kawardha, Chhattisgarh
4. Mahamaya Temple
Boasting of being over 900 years old, Mahamaya temple is considered as one of the most culturally rich tourist places in Chhattisgarh. Home to the idols of several gods and goddesses including Lord Shiva, Mahakali, Lord Hanuman, Bhadrakali, Lord Bhairav and many more, this holy site is visited by a large number of devotees. Apart from its religious significance, the temple catches the attention of a plenty of archaeologists as well as historians over the years. Housing more than 150 serene ponds in its huge complex and with the lush green hills in the background, the temple is a mesmerising treat for the eyes. The thick walls as well as the thick stone columns of the temple point towards the architectural brilliance of the temple.
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Highlight of the place: This temple was constructed in the 11th century by King Ratnadev and is applauded till today for its rich history and brilliant architecture.
Location: Purani Basti, Raipur, Chhattisgarh
Best time to visit: It is during the festival of Navratre that devotees come in huge crowds to seek the blessings of Goddess Mahamaya Devi.
5. Kailash and Kotumsar Cave:
Located amidst the dense forests, the Kailash and Kotumsar caves are considered to be one of the most beautiful historical places to visit in Chhattisgarh. Located in close proximity to the mesmerising Tiratgarh waterfalls, these caves are listed as the second longest natural caves in the entire world. Though the access into the cave is restricted beyond a certain limit due to safety issues, but its many significant features attract a plenty of tourists from all over the world. Situated on top of a little hill, this cave was discovered long back in history and has ecological as well as biological significance too.
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Highlight of the place: The cave produces music sounds when you strike the hollow walls of the caves with hands.
Location: about 40 km away from Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh
6. Gadiya Mountain
When you are exploring this beautiful state, then you can just not afford to miss visiting the Gadiya Mountain which is one of the top tourist places of Chhattisgarh. Boasting of being the highest mountain of the Kanker district, this mountain has a glorious and rich past. In the olden days, the Gadiya mountain served as the capital of the king Dharma Dev of the Kandra dynasty. There is even a cave in the mountain which was a hideout for the royal family in emergency situations like a war. There is another cave visible on the southern part of the mountain which was used back then by the ancient sages for meditation.
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Highlight of the place: There is a unique water tank at the Gadiya mountain. There is a common belief among the locals that the water here never dries up.
Location: Near dhoodh river, Kanker district, Chhattisgarh
7. Devrani Jethani Temple
This is another remarkable historical tourist place to visit in Chhattisgarh. Located adjacent to each other, these temples got their unique names owing to their dimensions. While one temple is slightly bigger, it was called Jethani which literally translates to elder sister–in–law, while the relatively smaller one was known as Devrani. The temples were given these names by the villagers of the nearby region. Both of the temples are dedicated to lord Shiva. The Devrani temple is the smaller temple and faces the east direction. Inside the temple, several sculptures of different Hindu Gods and goddesses are kept. Moreover, the intricate carvings of mythical figures, floral designs, geometrical motifs and animals on the walls are also worth admiring. Talking about the Jethani temple, it faces the south direction, and is only partially exposed. The temple has three entrances and the surrounding area of the complex is remarkably adorned by several motifs and murals.
Highlight of the place: It is the historical significance, architectural brilliance and rich cultural reflection of these temples that they were even listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Location: Talagram, Bilaspur district, Chhattisgarh
8. Laxman Temple
Boasting of being one of the finest examples of brick temples in the entire country, this temple is one of the popular sightseeing attractions of Chhattisgarh. Adorned with several exquisite carvings and embellished with elegant as well as precise construction, this temple is indeed beautiful. Being one of the oldest temples of the city, the temple also has a very ethnic, cultural and traditional appeal associated with it. Be it the intricately carved sculptures or the detailed erotic carvings displaying the magnificent symbols of the Krishna Leela, the Laxman temple is nothing short of a work of architectural brilliance. This temple alone manages to attract hundreds and even thousands of visitors from all over the world.
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Highlight of the place: The temple complex also houses a museum which displays a wide collection of relics and rare statues that are significant to people of Jain, Buddhist, Shaiva and Vaishnava beliefs.
Location: Sirpur, Near the banks of the Mahanadi river, Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh
Tracing origins of the past, reflecting the splendour of the olden days and the victory as well as sacrifices experienced by our ancestors, there are a plenty of sightseeing attractions to explore in Chhattisgarh which narrate several exciting tales of history.
FAQ’s on Chhattisgarh Tourism
Q1. What Is The Best Time To Visit Chhattisgarh?
Ans. For the best experience, visit the city in between the months of October till February.
Q2. What Is The Ideal Duration To Stay In Chhattisgarh?
Ans. Usually people stay for about 3 to 5 days to completely explore the state.
Q3. What is the capital of Chhattisgarh?
Ans. Raipur is the capital city of Chhattisgarh.