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Chittisgarh Capital: Raipur
Area: 135,237 square km.
Population: 20,795,956 (2004) The best time to visit Chhattisgarh is between September and March, when the parching summer and insistent rains have ended CITIES AND TOWNS
Raipur STD Code: 0771 HOW TO GET THERE ¦ By air: Indian Airlines operates daily flights from New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bhubaneswar to Raipur. Raipur is also accessible from Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Nagpur by air.
¦ By rail: Raipur is well connected by rail to most major towns in India.
By road: National Highway No 6, connecting Mumbai and Calcutta, passes through Raipur. The city is connected to Visakhapatnam by
INFORMATION
¦ Chhattisgarh Tourism Paryatan Bhavan, Indira Gandhi Marg Raipur; tel: 506 6415; e-mail: visitcg@rediffmail.com
WHERE TO STAY
¦ Hotel Babylon, VIP Road; tel: 509 3101/2
¦ Hotel Chhattisgarh, (Government-run) Teli Bandha; tel: 506 6424
WHERE TO EAT
¦ Girnar Restaurant: Ramji Bldg, GE Road, Jaistambh Chowk, tel: 2534776
¦ Babylon, VIP Road; tel: 509 3101/2
¦ Celebrations, Jail Road; tel: 509 1992/5
WHAT TO SEE
¦ Budhapara Lake: Of the numerous lakes around Raipur, this one, constructed in 1402, is worth a visit. Pack a lunch and spend a lazy afternoon.
¦ Kanger Valley National Park: Amid the sal and teak forests are said to be tigers, panthers, flying squirrels, and civets. Unless you have a lifetime to spare, give the wildcats a miss and head out for the Tirathgarh Falls. Nearby are the Kutumsar and Kailash limestone caves known for their stalagtit and stalagmite formations. Ask for the forest guard and his torch, as the caves are extremely dark. Kanger Dharha and Bhainsa Dharha are good picnic resots closeby. The park is less than 40 km from Jagdalpur, and attracts many natualists.
PLACES OF WORSHIP
¦ Mahamaya Temple: Dedicated to Mother Goddess Samlai, this quaint temple lies in the historic old fort area
¦ Doodhadhari Monastery and Temple: This 17th century Rama temple has some impressive murals. The monastery is dedicated to Swami Balbhadra Das, a seer whose only food was milk.
¦ Hatkeswar Mahadev Temple and Ghat: This 15th century temple is about 5 km from Mahakoshal Art Gallery: The octagon-shaped art gallery near DK Hospital displays the work of local artists
MUSEUMS
¦ Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum: Established in 1875, the museum's collection is a chronological record of Raipur's history
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