Legend has it that the word Bastar is a corrupt form of the Hindi word
The earliest archaeological evidence of settlement lies deep inside the forests of northern Bastar. These include a Buddhist site at Bhangopal, dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries CE, as well as the early brick temples at Garh Gobrahin.
Visit Bastar to explore the complex relationships between tribes and contemporary civilisation.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
The best way to see Bastar is to set up base in Jagdalpur, the administrative centre of the district, and make excursions to the areas around. The town is situated on the banks of the Indravati River and is comparatively clean.
The Zonal Anthropological Museum in Jagdalpur could be your first foray into Bastar’s unique world. It gives you an idea of different tribal groups, their customs and forms of worship. The tribal groups – mainly sub-groups of Gond – include Abuj Maria, Dandami Maria, Muria, Dhurwa, Dorla, Bhatra and Halba.
Museum Entry Free Timings 10.30 am-1.00pm & 2.30-5.00pm, Closed Sundays and 2nd and 4th Saturdays
Further ahead at Jagdalpur, at the head of the main bazaar, lies the royal enclave. Known as Bastar Palace, it is out of bounds for tourists, although the Durbar Hall is open to visitors invited by the Rajmata. The Dalpatsagar Lake is nearby. In winters or after the rains, you can avail of boat rides on the lake. Close to the lake is the splendid Danteshwari Temple.
AROUND JAGDALPUR
Dantewada (85 km)
At the confluence of Dankini and Sankhini rivulets is the Danteshwari Temple of the tutelary deity of the Kakatiya kings of Bastar – the six-armed black Danteshwari, now appropriated as one of the Shaktipeeths. A tooth of Shakti, consort of Shiva, is said to have fallen here. The temple has been renovated many times. The Kakatiyas are reported to have given it a facelift in the 14th century. However, the temple as it stands now is a result of early 20th-century renovation.
Timings 9.00am-9.00pm; Closed 1.00-1.30pm
Barsur (90 km)
In the 11th century, Barsur was the capital of the Nagavansi dynasty. This kingdom, known as Chakrakot, fell prey to several incursions from the South, including one by the Kakatiyas under Annam Deo, who established his rule in Bastar around 1424-25. Bastar remained under the control of Kakatiyas till modern times.
At Barsur (on the Bastar-Dantewada border), you can see the ruins of a temple complex, the origins of which can be traced to the 12th century. The temples include a Shiva Temple (built in 1109 CE), with 12 stone pillars carved on the outside, with nude figures. A 19th-century ruler had them defaced.
A ruined Ganesh temple is situated nearby. The 50-ft-tall Mama Bhanja ka Mandir is better preserved and has carvings replicating bells hung from chains. Another Shiva Temple has a common court of 32 pillars. These temples point to the existence of Hinduism in the region, but neither its origin nor the reach it had are known as of now.
There are many myths associated with the local deities, known simply as devas and devis. Some were worship ped for a long time, and the legends associated with them forgotten, while others were created only a hundred years ago.
The most visible aspect of religion here is the menhirs, which are memorials to the dead. They dot the landscape, especially in the Dantewada region, and come in many forms. Some are simple pieces of stone or stone slabs, inscribed with many images depicting different aspects of life, while others are colourful wooden staffs decorated and crowned with an animal head.
SHOPPING
Artisans in Bastar sell their handicrafts to various co-operatives, which have their outlets in Kondagaon, Parchan Pal and Kumharpara villages. An estimated 15,000 artisans work with bamboo, jute, terracotta, wrought iron and bell-metal and create simple yet en chanting objects. Nagarnar (20 km from Jagdalpur, and off NH43 towards Visakha patnam) is well known for its terracotta work; Kondagaon (70 km away on NH43 en route to Raipur) has many bell-metal artisans. Close to Kondagaon is the Bastar Aadi Shilpa craft centre in Bhelvapadar. Kumharpara (74 km away, a kilometre from NH43 on Narainpur Road) has beautiful terracotta items at Saathi Samaj Sewa Sanstha where you can also see artisans at work. At Chilkuti (20 km from Jagdalpur), you can pick up bell-metal craft items.
The craft of casting bell metal by the lost-wax process is the most popular art form here. The process involves making a mould with a thread drawn from bee wax, between two layers of clay. Molten metal is then poured into the mould and the wax drained out. The method, called ghadawa or dhokra, is used to make idols.
All the artisans’ establishments mentioned above are either workshops or showrooms. The many bell-metal idols, terracotta images and bamboo dolls you will find here are definitely worth more than what you will pay for them. These are also available in Jagdalpur in an entire row of handicraft shops. At the Kosa Silk Centre nearby, you can watch silk being processed.
The village haat is usually a weekly affair where all the communities gather and celebrate. Though it is structured around the theme of buying and selling, the haat becomes significant in many other ways. It is in the bustle of a haat that the people of neighbouring villages meet each other, exchange news, gossip and pass on invitations. Often a local festival is organised on the day of the haat and then it becomes an extended celebration.
The haat is generally dominated by women except in one arena – that of cockfights, where men rule the roost as cock-trainers or punters.
But the village haat is now fast changing its character, influenced in equal measure by the permanent markets in town and the invasion of plastic. One unchanging practice, though, is the consumption of the local brews. Landa and mad are brewed from rice and mahua respectively, while sulphi is the fermented sap of the palm tree. The brews are treated as refreshing ales and are served free.
Haats are held on different days in different villages: Tokapal (Mondays); Mardoom and Bastanar (Saturdays); Chingitarai, Narainpur and Geedam (Sundays); Chingpal and Kodenar (Thursdays); Pakhnar (Tuesdays) and Londiguda and Barsur (Fridays).
TIP Hire a car/ jeep from Jagdalpur for a round of the haats
WHERE TO STAY
Jagdalpur
Hotel Rainbow (Tel: 07782-221684/ 86, Cell: 09425258128; Tariff: ₹750-2,185) offers AC and non-AC rooms. The restaurant here serves vegetarian, nonvegetarian and Continental meals. Regional specialities can be arranged too, on request. It has a bar too. Bastar Jungle Resort (Cell: 09425226506, 09425259129; Tariff: ₹2,900-8,600, with breakfast) has eight cottages, open-air bath rooms, a multicuisine dining hall and a good bar. It offers treks and birding. About 6 km away from Jagdalpur, Bastar has the popular Naman Bastar Resort (Cell: 09406070895; Tariff: ₹3,050-4,550, with breakfast), with 17 cottages, a vegetarian only restaurant, pool and a kids’ park.
Kanker
The Kanker Royal Palace (Tel: 07868- 222005, Cell: 09425226506, 094252- 59129; Tariff: ₹3,900-13,800), en route to Jagdalpur, also accepts guests with prior notice. It has eight rooms on offer. You get to enjoy meals with the royal family and watch local cultural programmes. The palace arranges tours to some tribal villages and handicraft centres.
WHERE TO EAT
Most hotels have restaurants which serve the standard south-Indian, north-Indian and Chinese fare. The Bastar region is known for its fresh fruits and greens, especially gigantic papayas and custard apples, which sellers pile high along the roadside for customers after the monsoon. Hotel Batra, Celebration and Babylon in Raipur are popular for their hearty Punjabi fare.
When to go September to March Location Bastar is in southern Chhattisgarh. Maharashtra lies to the west and Odisha to its east Air Nearest airport: Raipur Rail Nearest rail: Jagdalpur
THE INFORMATION
Tourist/ Wildlife Offices
Head Office
Chhattisgarh Tourism Board
Paryatan Bhawan, GE Road, Raipur
Tel: 0771-4224600/ 11/ 22
Tollfree: 18001026415
W chhattisgarhtourism.net
Tourist Information Centre
Raipur Airport, Mana, Raipur
Tel: 6541303
Tourism Information Centre
Railway Station, Raipur
Cell: 09926781331
Chhattisgarh Tourism Board
Chanakya Bhavan, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi. Tel: 011-26116822
Principal CCF
Aranya Bhawan, Medical College Road
Raipur. Tel: 2552221
CCF Wildlife and Field Director
Raipur. Tel: 2429600
Chief Wildlife Warden
Raipur. Tel: 2552228
Udanti WLS
Tourist/ Wildlife Offices
Divisional Forest Officer, Udanti
Tel: 07706-241229
STD code 07706
Bastar
Chhattisgarh Tourism Board
Shahid Park, Jagdalpur
Cell: 09926944221
Kanger Valley NP
Director, Kanger Valley NP
Tel: 07782-228640
STD code 07782
Bastar
Bastar Palace
Chhattisgarh
