TOURIST PLACES
Bhilai : Bhilai Known as ‘Mini India’ it is the ‘industrial cubo’ of Chhattisgarh. Bhilai is also known for the ethnic mosaic and social harmony. It is 25 kms west of the capital city Raipur. Also home to one of the largest steel plants in India, Bhilai Steel Plant (SAIL), has also been awarded the Prime Minister’s Trophy for being the best-integrated steel plant for the past five years. It was also the first plant in India that was vouched for the ISO 9002 quality certification. Bhilai or Bhilai Nagar is a city in Chhattisgarh, India with a population of more than 6,00000. The city is located 25 km west of the capital Raipur on the main Howrah–Mumbai rail line, and National Highway 6. Bhilai is famous for Bhilai Steel Plant which is the largest of its kind in India. Along with its sister city Durg, Bhilai was listed as the 7th fastest growing large city in the world.
Durg Railway Station : Durg Railway Station connects the city to the rest of the country. It has five other small railway stations sector-7 (Bhilai Nagar), Bhilai Power house, Bhilai 3, Charoda and Kumhari. They are a stop only for local trains not for express except POWER HOUSE (All Express Stop & some superfast including Amarkantak Express, Chhattisgarh Express etc). Raipur Airport is the nearest air link which is 45 km away.Within the town, commuters depend mostly on own vehicles and hired autorickshaws, which can only be hired only from a nearby auto stand. Tempos (in local lingo) are diesel run three-wheelers that ply on the Great Eastern Highway and a central road called the Central Avenue which runs parallel to the highway.Recently four wheelers like TATA Magic have also become very popular means of transport.
Bhilai Steel Plant(BSP) :-Bhilai is known for the massive Bhilai Steel Plant, one of the largest integrated steel plants in the whole world, around which the entire economy of the town revolves. Bhilai is the second largest city in Chhattisgarh. Well connected through roadways and railways it is a nice place to look at.
Maitri Bagh : It is memento of the simpatico between Russia and India . The main attractions here are the white tiger, a children’s park, a toy train and the largest musical fountain of Asia. Zoo and a park established by the Bhilai Steel Plant. Right next to Maitri bagh are two huge man-made water lakes. One is used to supply water to the township. The other is used for the Steel Plant’s applications. Right across Maitri Bagh is Bhilai Water Works, a facility used to provide clean water to the Bhilai Township.
Civic Center : Started as a shopping center consisting of two rows of stores arranged in L shape. In early days it had TATA (textiles) on one end and BATA(shoes). It was also a hub for a lot of social activity. Right next to Civic Center is Chitra Mandir which used to be the only airconditioned movie theater in the area. West of Chitra Madir is a huge field used for Ramleela and Dashehara festivals. In this field there used to be a high rock stage which was constructed to Welcome Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru in 1962. There is also a hemispherical Supermarket. Now there are many permanent and temporary store.
Nagpura : Uwasaggaharam Parshwa Teerth is a Jain shrine in Nagpura established in 1995. The teerth is located on the banks of the Sheonath River. The entrance to the dazzling marble temple of Shri Parshwanath is through a 30 feet gate that has the idol of Parshwanath, supported by four pillars (representing the four essentials of spiritual atonement, i.e., wisdom, introspection, good conduct, penance), being worshiped by two elephant.
Ganga Maiya Temple : Located at Jhalmala, 58 km from Durg, there is an interesting story about the origin of this temple: a fisherman was fishing in the pond near the village when he found an idol in his net. He kept putting it back in the water, it kept coming back into his net. Finally, he got fed up and left it and went home. The same night, in a dream, a villager heard the Goddess saying “I am being ignored by the fisherman take me out and get me installed.” Taking this to be an order, he visited the pond the next morning, retrieved the idol and installed it in a hut near the village (and hence the name). Later a more permanent temple was built here by Bhikam Chand Tawri. The temple trust plays an active role in the life of the villagers, including organizing cultural activities and medical camps.
Dongargarh : It is situated about 75 km west of Durg and is the site for the most famous temple in the region. The Bambleshwari temple is visible from the railway line and is on the top of mountain. Devotees routinely climb the mountain which can take up to an 1 hr chanting mantra and singing praises of Ma Bambleshwari. The view from the top of the hill makes all the hard work worthwhile. There are gift stores and a restaurant on the top of the hill just below the stairs that lead to the final climb to the temple. There is also a cable car for devotees who would rather not climb. Jai Bambleshwari!
Siyadevi : It is around 20 km. (80 K.m from Durg city) from balod (Must See Place). This place is famous for Sita Maiya’s temple, situated in the heart of greenery of natural jungle. You can find a natural and very beautiful waterfall between (July- Feb).
Barnawapara : An animal sanctuary famous for Wild Buffalo, Leopard, Common Langur, Cheetal deer etc.
Patan : It is an unique amalgam of tribal culture, traditional folklore, inveigling natural rhapsodies and blooming industries. The major attraction here is the fire lake.
Deobaloda : An age-old temple of Shiva is located here at Deobalod, 3 km from Bhilai. It has a sculptured panel dating back to 11th-12th century AD Shiva temple.
Dhamda : An ancient palace called Prachin Kila is situated here in Dhamdha. Dhamda is a tourist spot situated 45 kms down the Durg-Bemetara Road. A famous place of worship is also located down this road. Well maintained boarding and lodging facilities are available in strategic locations to attract tourists in large numbers.
Balod : Balod is a location 68 kms away from Bhilai. There are a number of temples. Sati Chabutra is another beautiful location to visit. Yet another location to get spiritually enlightened, is the Siyadevi, where Sita Maiya’s Mandir is located. To reach this temple, one needs to travel only 20 kms from Balod. This Mandir has been constructed in the midst of a dense jungle. A waterfall becomes active between the months of July and February. Here a beautiful lake is present the name of lake is Kapileshvar lake.
Kharkhara Dam : It is 95 km. away from the district of Durg by road. It is famous for Dam on the river Kharkhara. The total length of the dam is 1128 m.
Hajra Falls : It is 100 km from Bhilai, crossing Dongargarh near Darekasa Railway station in Howrah Mumbai rail route. Situated amongst dense forests, hills and tunnels, this spectacular 150 feet (46 m) high falls is a visual delight for tourists. Place to stay : The Forest bungalow.
Durg Railway Station : Durg Railway Station connects the city to the rest of the country. It has five other small railway stations sector-7 (Bhilai Nagar), Bhilai Power house, Bhilai 3, Charoda and Kumhari. They are a stop only for local trains not for express except POWER HOUSE (All Express Stop & some superfast including Amarkantak Express, Chhattisgarh Express etc). Raipur Airport is the nearest air link which is 45 km away.Within the town, commuters depend mostly on own vehicles and hired autorickshaws, which can only be hired only from a nearby auto stand. Tempos (in local lingo) are diesel run three-wheelers that ply on the Great Eastern Highway and a central road called the Central Avenue which runs parallel to the highway.Recently four wheelers like TATA Magic have also become very popular means of transport.
Maitri Bagh : It is memento of the simpatico between Russia and India . The main attractions here are the white tiger, a children’s park, a toy train and the largest musical fountain of Asia. Zoo and a park established by the Bhilai Steel Plant. Right next to Maitri bagh are two huge man-made water lakes. One is used to supply water to the township. The other is used for the Steel Plant’s applications. Right across Maitri Bagh is Bhilai Water Works, a facility used to provide clean water to the Bhilai Township.Civic Center : Started as a shopping center consisting of two rows of stores arranged in L shape. In early days it had TATA (textiles) on one end and BATA(shoes). It was also a hub for a lot of social activity. Right next to Civic Center is Chitra Mandir which used to be the only airconditioned movie theater in the area. West of Chitra Madir is a huge field used for Ramleela and Dashehara festivals. In this field there used to be a high rock stage which was constructed to Welcome Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru in 1962. There is also a hemispherical Supermarket. Now there are many permanent and temporary store.
Ganga Maiya Temple : Located at Jhalmala, 58 km from Durg, there is an interesting story about the origin of this temple: a fisherman was fishing in the pond near the village when he found an idol in his net. He kept putting it back in the water, it kept coming back into his net. Finally, he got fed up and left it and went home. The same night, in a dream, a villager heard the Goddess saying “I am being ignored by the fisherman take me out and get me installed.” Taking this to be an order, he visited the pond the next morning, retrieved the idol and installed it in a hut near the village (and hence the name). Later a more permanent temple was built here by Bhikam Chand Tawri. The temple trust plays an active role in the life of the villagers, including organizing cultural activities and medical camps.
Siyadevi : It is around 20 km. (80 K.m from Durg city) from balod (Must See Place). This place is famous for Sita Maiya’s temple, situated in the heart of greenery of natural jungle. You can find a natural and very beautiful waterfall between (July- Feb).
Barnawapara : An animal sanctuary famous for Wild Buffalo, Leopard, Common Langur, Cheetal deer etc.
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Dhamda : An ancient palace called Prachin Kila is situated here in Dhamdha. Dhamda is a tourist spot situated 45 kms down the Durg-Bemetara Road. A famous place of worship is also located down this road. Well maintained boarding and lodging facilities are available in strategic locations to attract tourists in large numbers.
Balod : Balod is a location 68 kms away from Bhilai. There are a number of temples. Sati Chabutra is another beautiful location to visit. Yet another location to get spiritually enlightened, is the Siyadevi, where Sita Maiya’s Mandir is located. To reach this temple, one needs to travel only 20 kms from Balod. This Mandir has been constructed in the midst of a dense jungle. A waterfall becomes active between the months of July and February. Here a beautiful lake is present the name of lake is Kapileshvar lake.
Hajra Falls : It is 100 km from Bhilai, crossing Dongargarh near Darekasa Railway station in Howrah Mumbai rail route. Situated amongst dense forests, hills and tunnels, this spectacular 150 feet (46 m) high falls is a visual delight for tourists. Place to stay : The Forest bungalow.