Tuesday, December 28, 2010

History of Chhattisgarh

The history of Chhattisgarh goes back to tens of thousands of years. The anthropologists have found evidences of some of the earliest human habitations in the rocks and caves of this ancient land. Though the mythological history of Chhattisgarh region stretches back to the period of Ramayana and Mahabharata, the earliest clue from the historical era is an Ashokan stone Inscription of 257 BC at Rupnath north of Jabalpur. According to legends the deep Sal forest regions are Dandakaranya itself, where Lord Rama spent much of his fourteen-year exile from Ayodhya. But regardless to all this, the unbroken history of Chhattisgarh or South Kosala can be traced back only from the 4th century AD. Between the 6th and 12th centuries AD the Sarabhpurias, Panduvanshi, Somvanshi, Kalchuri, and Nagvanshi rulers dominated this region.
In the medieval period, the region came to be known as Gondwana and became the part of the kingdom of the Kalchuris who ruled the region till the end of the 18th century AD. The Muslim chroniclers of the 14th century AD have described well about the dynasties that ruled over the region. The region also came under the suzerainty of the Mughal Empire around the 16th century and later to the Marathas in 1745. By the year 1758, the whole region of Chhattisgarh was annexed by the Marathas who plundered its natural resources mercilessly. Also the word 'Chhattisgarh' was popularized during the Maratha period and was first used in an official document in 1795. With the British entry in the early 19th century, much of the territory was subsumed into the Central Provinces. From 1854 onwards the British administered the region as a deputy commissionership with its headquarters at Raipur. Chhattisgarh also took part in the 1857 Revolution when Vir Narayan Singh, a landlord of Sonakhan, grew up to challenge the injustices of British rule in the region. After a prolonged battle with the British forces, Vir Narain Singh was finally arrested and later hanged on the 10th December 1857. In the year 1904 British reorganized the region and transferred Sambalpur to Orissa and added the estates of Surguja to Chhattisgarh.
The demand for a separate Chhattisgarh state was raised by the Raipur Congress unit at the meeting of the Raipur district Congress in 1924, for the first time. There emerged a general consensus on the view that the region of Chhattisgarh was culturally and historically distinct from the rest of Madhya Pradesh and should get recognition of its own but somehow it didn't materialized. After the independence of India, the demand for a separate state again resurfaced and in 1955 it was raised in the Nagpur assembly of the then state of Madhya Bharat. And finally the dream of a separate state of Chhattisgarh became reality when it was declared the 26th state of India on 1st November 2000.

Festivals of Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh is one of the most fascinating and colorful states of India. Known for its exceptional scenic beauty and the unique tribal populations, Chhattisgarh has a number of vivid and colorful festivals, held all round the year. The famous and widely celebrated festivals of Chhattisgarh include the Dusshera, Deepavali, Holi, Govardhan Pooja, Pola, Nawakhai and many others are celebrated with great vividness and festivity.
Dusshera is the most famous festivals of Chhattisgarh and is celebrated with great fanfare in Bastar region. During this occasion, all the deities from all the tribal villages congregate at the Temple of goddess Danteshwari in Jagdalpur, the district headquarter of Bastar. Dusshera in Bastar is quite different from the Dusshera of North India and has nothing to do with the triumphant return of lord Rama in Ayodhya. Bastar Dusshera is devoted entirely to goddess Danteshwari and celebrated with great gaiety by all major tribes of Bastar. Madai Festival is another famous festival of Bastar region held in the different villages extending from Mandla to Bastar. It's quite popular among Gond tribes of Bastar and thousands of devotees gather under the shade of a sacred tree to sacrifice a goat to the mother goddess and the whole night is spent in dancing, eating and making merry. Bhagoriya Festival is a popular festival among Bhil tribes of the region and Bhagoradev or the god of dance is worshipped on this occasion. During this festival young girls and boys dance with each other and express their love to opposite sex. Kajari Festival is another important festival of Chhattisgarh region, which falls on the same day as Raksha Bandhan that is on the Shravan Purnima. In addition there are many festivals in Chhattisgarh, which are related to agriculture. Hariyali, Kora, Navakhani and Cherta Festivals are the most important agricultural festivals of Chhattisgarh.
Chhattisgarh also organizes many colorful fairs in different towns and cities of the state, all round the year. Rajim Lochan Mahotsav held every year from 16th February till 1st March is celebrated with great fanfare. Bhoramdeo Mahotsav (last week of March), Chakradhar Festival (September or October), Goncha Festival (July), Narayanpur Mela (last week of February) and Sheorinarayan Fair (February) are other widely celebrated and most enjoyed fairs and festivals of Chhattisgarh.

Tours to Dantewada

Dantewada is one of the most beautiful and picturesque districts of Chhattisgarh, located in the famous and enchanting Bastar region. Also one of the famous ancient towns of India, Dantewada had been the capital city of a glorious Kingdom in its golden past. It was known as Tarlapal and Dantawali in pre-historical days, mention of which can be found on the stone carvings found in the district.
Dantewada is blessed with exceptionally beautiful natural landscapes comprising of scenic hills and valleys, lush green sal and teak forests and young and lively rivers. Indravati, Godavari, Shabhari, Shankhini and Dankiny rivers flow all through the length and breathe of Dantewada. All these rivers with many enchanting waterfalls provide a unique charm to Dantewada, making it one of the loveliest destinations in Chhattisgarh. Apart from its scenic beauty, Dantewada also has a number of beautiful temples and important historical sites, worth visiting on your tours to Chhattisgarh.
The major tourist attractions of Dantewada include the famous Danteshwari Temple, Bhairon Baba Temple, the historic sites of Barsoor and Bhadrakali, Bailadila Iron ore Project Township and hilltop habitations of Aakash Nagar and Kailash Nagar. The annual Dusshera Festival celebrated by all the major tribes of the region at the Danteshwari Temple attract thousands of visitors every year.

Tours to Rajim

Rajim is a small but historically important town of Chhattisgarh. Located at just 35 km from Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, Rajim is famous for its rich cultural heritage and the beautiful ancient temples. Situated on the right bank of the river Mahanadi, Rajim was once considered an important urban center in the Mahakoshal region. Visit Rajim and see the amazing temples and sculptures and discover the ancient cultural heritage of the region on your Rajim Tour.
Known as the Prayag of Chhattisgarh, Rajim is located on the sangam (meeting points) of three rivers- Mahanadi, Pairy and Sondhu. The prime attraction of Rajim is the Rajivalochana Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple has 12 exquisitely carved pillars with tall single figures with faces of various gods and goddesses sculptured on them. In proximity to the Rajivalochana Temple, there are many other temples dedicated to different incarnations of lord Vishnu such as Vamana (dwarf), Narasimha (human body with face of a lion), Badrinath and Jagannath. The temple of Rajivalochana attracts thousands of devotees from all over India and abroad throughout the year. There is also a magnificent black stone statue of the lord Buddha meditating under the Bodhi tree.
Another major attraction of Rajim is its Annual Fair known as the Rajim Lochan Mahotsav, organized every year from 16th February to 1st March. With the recent efforts made by the Ministry of tourism, the Fair is now organized on grand scale, attracting thousands of visitors from all corners of the country. The colorful cultural programs of folk music, dance and drama are part and parcel of this beautiful Fair and never fail to fascinate the audiences. Explore this colorful and culturally rich town of Chhattisgarh on your Rajim Tour and we assure that it would be tour with a difference.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Turturiya

The Forest village Turturiya Situated on the bank of a spring called Turturiya or Sursuri Ganga contains numerous buddhist remains of 8th Century A.D. and the Brahmanical remains of later period. The site yielded numerous exquisitely sculptured pillars, remains of STUPA made of fine bricks, traces of bathing Ghats, Lingams figures of four armed Vishnu, Ganesha, a man hunting a lion with sword and a man wrestling with an animal. There are numerous heaps of ruins all of bricks, picked with stone. The place is of a great archaeological and anthropological interest.

How to reach

Turturiya is 29 Km from Baloda bazar and 24 Km from Sirpur which are respectively 84 Km and 78 Km
from Raipur.

Where to stay

P.W.D. Rest Houses are available at Sirpur and Balodabazar, the reservation authorities are S.D.O. P.W.D.
( B & R) Sirpur and Balodabazar respectively.

Sirpur

Sirpur or Shripur the city of wealth has been mentioned in ancient epigraphic records and dates back to a periods ranging from between the Fifth and the Eighth century A.D. It was then the capital of the Sarbhapuriya and Somvanshi Kings of Dakshin Kosala or Chhattigarh. It was an important centre of Buddhist from the 6th the 10th century A.D. and was visited by Hieun Tsang, the 7th Century Chinese Pilgrimist and Scholar. Excavations in and around the village have yielded scores of temple sites constructed of bricks, stone pillars and sculptures such as the Shiva Temple of Panchayatan style and the beautiful sculpture of Mahishasuramardini.Two Buddhist monasteries have also been found.

The Lakshmana Temple found here is a brick temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is the only brick temple of its size still standing in this State. The door frame is of stone and a figure of the reclining Vishnu on the Sheshnag may be found on the Lintel. This temple was built by Vasata, the widow queen of Harsh Gupta of the Somvansh. Another temple is the GANDHESHESHWARA TEMPLE (formerly Gandharveshvara) and is interesting because of the Epigraphic records and Genealogy of the Kings of the Somvansh. Some extremely good Vaishnav sculptures are to be found in the Mandapa and several Jain, Buddhist and Hindu Sculptures have been collected in the precincts of the temple .
The most interesting feature of the Sirpur site is that archeological pieces connected with the Shaiv,Vaishnav, Jain and Buddhist religions (of approximately the same age) have been found side by side. The ruins are seen on the banks of numerous tanks existing within a radius of about 6 kilometers around Sirpur.

Fair

A large religious fair is annually held here for three days beginning on Shivaratri (January / February) near the Candheshvara Temple. Public Works Department has constructed rest house at Sirpur.

How to reach

Sirpur is 78 Kms. away from Raipur on National Highway No. 6 on way to Sambalpur. From the 61st Kilometre on Raipur- Sambalpur Road, there is a bifurcation at Junction point of village KOHARI and a 17 Km Tar Road leads the visitor to Sirpur. One can also reach Sirpur from Mahasamund.  A rail head (on Raipur-Waltair S.E. Railway) by bus. The distance is just 29 Kms.

Where to stay

P.W.D. Rest House (2 rooms) Kosaria Patel Samaj Dharmasala and Nai Dhamasala (Free)
 

Champaran

The village is identified with Champaranya, the birth place of the Saint Vallabhacharya, the reformer and founder of the Vallabh Sect for whom this place has religious sanctity. A temple was constructed in honour of Guru Swamy Vallabhacharya. Near to this Temple, there is the temple of Champakeshwara Mahadeva.

 Fair
 
An annual fair is held every year in the month of Magh (January - February). Birth Anniversary of Mahapprabhu Vallabhacharya is celebrated every year on Eleventh bright day of Baisakh (April-May) and a large number of followers of the Sect assemble here to pay homage.



How to reach


The village Champajhar now known as Champaran is approachable from Raipur both via Arang (60 Km) and via Nawapara Rajim (68Km). There is a junction on Arang-Rajim Road at village Jonda and a tar road leads the visitor to Champaran. Buses are available from Raipur and Arang (25 km)
Where to stay

Two well famished big Dharmasalas having 108 rooms and 45 rooms are available at Champaran. P.W.D. Rest Houses are also available at Arang and Rajim. The reservation authorities are S.D.O., P.W.D.(B & R), Arang and Rajim respectively.