Indravati National Park, Kutru, Chhattisgarh

Indravati National Park, Kutru, Chhattisgarh

Indravati National Park is a national park located near Kutru Village in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh state in India. The park derives its name from the Indravati River, which flows from east to west and forms the northern boundary of the reserve with the Indian state of Maharashtra. Indravati National Park is among the most famous wildlife parks of Chhattisgarh. It is one of three Project Tiger sites in Chhattisgarh, along with Udanti-sitanadi, and is home to one of the last remaining populations of the endangered wild water buffalo.

History

This reserve attained the status of a national park in 1981 and a tiger reserve in 1983, becoming one of the most famous tiger reserves in India. The park is reported to be largely under Naxal control.

The Park

The national park covers an area of approximately 2799.08 km2. The topography of the park mainly comprises undulating hilly terrain with altitude ranging between 177 and 599 metres above the sea level. The recommended season to visit the park is from 15 December to 15 June.

Flora:

The vegetation of the Indravati National Park is mainly of the tropical moist and dry deciduous type with predominance of bamboo, sal and teak. There are also patches of grassland providing food to large herbivores such as wild water buffalos, chital, barking deer, nilgai, and gaurs. The most common tree in the park are teak, lendia, salai, mahua, tendu, semal, haldu, ber and jamun.

Fauna:

The park has one of the last populations of the endangered wild Asian buffalo. The national park is also home to a variety of other ungulate species. Some of them are Asian Elephant, gaur (Indian bison), nilgai, blackbuck, chausingha (four-horned antelope), sambar, chital, Indian muntjac, Indian spotted chevrotain and wild boar. Large predators are represented by tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and dholes (wild dogs). Smaller mammals include flying squirrel, porcupine, pangolins, rhesus monkeys and langurs among many others. The commonly found reptiles in the park are freshwater crocodile, monitor lizard, Indian chameleon, common krait, Indian rock python, cobra and Russell's viper. The park also gives shelter to the large variety of birds of which the hill myna is the most important species.

Connectivity

Kutru is the main entry point of the park. Kutru is located at about 34 Kms from Bhairamgarh, 41 Kms from Bijapur, 93 Kms from Bhopalpatnam, 97 Kms from Dantewada Railway Station, 99 Kms from Geedam, 117 Kms from Barsur, 172 Kms from Jagdalpur, 175 Kms from Jagdalpur Airport and 181 Kms from Bastar. Kutru is situated at about 34 Kms to the north west of Bhairamgarh on Jagdalpur to Bhopalpatnam route.

Location

Chitrakote Falls, Chitrakote, Chhattisgarh

Chitrakote Falls, Chitrakote, Chhattisgarh

Chitrakote Falls is a waterfall located in Chitrakote Village in Bastar District in the Indian state of Chattisgarh. It is often called as Niagara Falls of India because of its width and its widespread horseshoe shape during the monsoon season. It is one of two waterfalls located near the Kanger Valley National Park, the other being Teerathgarh Falls.

Legends

As per legend, Lord Rama spent his exile in Chitrakote (Dandakaranya). He meditated in the caves here, beside the waterfall.

The Waterfall

It is a natural waterfall situated on the Indravati River. It is surrounded by the majestic grandeur of Vindhya ranges. The height of the falls is about 29 metres (95 ft). It is the widest fall in India, reaching a width of nearly 300 metres (980 ft) during the monsoon season. The beauty of the falls can be seen throughout the year, particularly during sunset. As the fast-flowing water of the river flows over the sharp, near-vertical rock exposure at the widest reach of the river, it generates misty clouds and then hits into a pond formed in a semicircular shape at the bottom of the falls.

During the rainy season, from July to October, rainbows are created with sun rays reflecting on mist from the waterfall. Adventure sports enthusiasts use boats in the stormy part of this pond. Pilgrims bathe in the calmer part of the lake. In the low-flow season, paddle boats are used in pools formed in the upstream part of the falls. In the pool below the falls, swimming and paddle boats are permitted. Local boatmen can paddle their boats under the spray below the falls. It is one of the six waterfalls in India classified as geomorphosites (geo heritage sites with geomorphological interest).

This classification is based on research studies of geological features of heritage value existing in different parts of the country. A small Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and several naturally formed caves called Parvati caves can be seen on the left bank of the falls. On the banks of the pond below the falls, many small Shiva Lingas (aniconic symbols of the god Shiva) are found in several niches, as are iron trishuls (the trident weapon of Shiva), mostly in a rusted state. 

On the left bank, there is a rock ledge and climbing down this cliff leads to a naturally formed niche which houses stone slabs carved with deities. In addition, there is a small hut made of straw where Shiva images and rusted images of his son, the god Ganesha, are seen. There is a government-run hotel at the top of the falls. A series of steps from the garden of the hotel leads to the falls. Chitrakote log huts with basic and modern cabins have also been built at the location. Some of the cabins provide good views of the falls.

Connectivity

The falls is located at about 33 Kms from Bastar, 42 Kms from Jagdalpur Railway Station, 43 Kms from Jagdalpur Airport and 49 Kms from Barsur. The falls is situated on Jagdalpur to Barsur route.

Location

Teerathgarh Falls, Chattisgarh

Teerathgarh Falls, Chattisgarh

Teerathgarh Falls is a waterfall located at Teerathgarh Village in Kanger Valley National Park in Bastar District in the Indian state of Chattisgarh. This waterfall is a perennial waterfall and can be visited in all seasons. This waterfall is considered one among the highest waterfalls in India.

Legends

As per local folklore, two brothers namely Tirathraj and Chingraj got mesmerized by the beauty of this region and established their fiefdom here. Chingraj established a village named Chingithrai. He constructed his fort and a temple at Chingithrai and ruled over surrounding region. Similarly, Tirathraj established his fort on the lower region of Tirathgarh falls and the established the Tirathgarh village on the upper region. The ruins of the village, temples and his fort can be still seen around Tirathgarh.

The Waterfall

This waterfall is a block type waterfall on the Kanger River. The tributaries of Kanger river Munga and Bahar together produce this beautiful waterfall. The water falls from a height of about 91 metres (299 ft). This waterfall form two to three waterfalls. It is 200 m wide and 110 ft height on the uppermost plains. The rock-cuts are so unique that it gives a unique view to the falls. Again, falling from the height of 125 ft, it forms a second waterfall. Almost after flowing 100 ft, again the distributaries form numerous waterfalls flowing stepwise in 5 to 10m or 1 to 2ft. Due to these numerous waterfalls, Tirathgarh falls is referred to as a cluster of waterfalls.

Here, two major waterfalls falling in two stages contribute to the total height of more than 300 ft. The waterfall is water-flooded during rainy season and flows in its full width along with its channels and gets reflected as a huge cluster of waterfalls whereas after October, it can be viewed in its pure white form. There is a small temple on a large rock opposite the falls. The ruins of ancient Hindu temples can be seen all around the waterfall. A 3 days fair is conducted during Maha Shivaratri here. The best time to see this waterfall is from October to February, along with the rainy season.

Connectivity

The waterfall is located at about 6 Kms from Kanger National Park Kotamsar Booking Counter, 33 Kms from Jagdalpur, 35 Kms from Jagdalpur Railway Station, 37 Kms from Jagdalpur Airport and 81 Kms from Sukma. The waterfall is situated at about 6 Kms to the west of Kanger National Park Kotamsar Booking Counter on Jagdalpur to Sukma route.

Location

Amrit Dhara Falls, Amritdhar, Chattisgarh

Amrit Dhara Falls, Amritdhar, Chattisgarh

Amrit Dhara Falls is a waterfall located in Amritdhar Village in Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur District in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. It originates from the Hasdeo River, which is a tributary of the Mahanadi River. It falls from a height of 90.0 ft (27.4 metres). The waterfall is about 10.0–15.0 ft (3.0–4.6 metres) wide. The water from the falls cascades down from a great height, creating a beautiful misty ambiance. There is a beautiful Shiva temple situated close to this waterfall, A festival called Amritdhara Mahotsav is organized in honor of Lord Shiva of this temple by the district administration every year on Maha Shivaratri.

Connectivity

The falls is located at about 11 Kms from Nagpur, 11 Kms from Nagpur Road Railway Station, 24 Kms from Chirmiri, 29 Kms from Manendragarh, 39 Kms from Baikunthpur, 68 Kms from Bharatpur, 214 Kms from Bilaspur Airport and 330 Kms from Raipur Airport. The waterfall is situated at about 11 Kms to the north of Nagpur on the Manendragarh-Baikunthpur road NH 43.

Location