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Chattisgarh
Chhattisgarh State largely consists of plateaus streaked with high range
of Satpuras in the North, the river Mahanadi and its tributaries in the
Central Plains and the Bastar Plateau in the South. The Past (Hills) give
rises to the main river systems- Mahanadi, Hasdo, Sheonath and Indravati.
Intersected by these meandering rivers and dotted with hills and plateaus,
the state has varied natural settings of great beauty. To the north of river
Shivnath there were 18 garhs belonging to the Kalchuris and to the South
there were another 18 garhs belonging to the Kalchuris of Raipur. Hence, the
total of these 36 Garhs (Forts) formed the basis of naming this region as
Chhattisgarh. Chhattisgarh lies between 17 - 46' to 24 - 5' North and 80 -
15' to 84 - 20' East. It covers an area of 1,35,133 Sq. kms. bordering six
other states - Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand in the North, Orissa in the East,
Andhra Pradesh in the South, Maharashtra in the South West and Madhya
Pradesh in the North West.
Although the newly formed state came into existence on 1st November 2000,
its cultural heritage is as ancient as Stone age. In ancient times
Chhattisgarh was known as Dakshin Koshal. Geographical evidence of the place
is found in the Ramayana and the Mahabharat. Lord Rama entered Dandkarnaya
from North-East of Koshal and spent some of his exile (forest-living) period
here. In Mahabharat's Rajsoo Yagya episode the description of Dakshin Koshal
has been found. In historical records in Samudragupta Prayag eulogy,
description of Kosal has been found. After the sixth century evidence of
political insurgence of Dakshin Koshal has been found.
From Sixth Century to mid-twelve century Sarabhpurnima, Panduvanshi,
Somvanshi, Kalchuri and Nagwanshi rulers dominated the region. The various
documents, Copper plaques, coins, and archeological goods apprise us about
the cultural heritage and political development of that time. In
contemporary history evidence of ancient people has been found in the hills
of Raigarh, Singhanpur, Kabra, Basnajhar, Boslada and Ongana mountains at "Chitwandongri"
in Rajnandgaon district. The stone equipment made and used by ancient people
have been found from the coasts of Mahanadi, Mand, Kanhar, Manihari, and
Kelo River.
The rock-paintings of Singhanpur and Kabra mountains are quite famous among
contemporary painting due to variety and style. Among remains of historical
age, traces of bone, animal burial has been found in abundance in Raipur and
Durg districts. Along with archaeology, the culture of Chhattisgarh is also
quite famous. The tribal Kanwars, Kamar, Baiga. Halba, Korea, Pando, Birhai,
Biniwar make the atmosphere cheerful by their dance and song, on the
occasion of marriage and other festivals. The rice-bowl Chhattisgarh land
has unique eroticism and Sweetness.
Apart from the mesmerizing dances songs of Dadra, Pandwani, Karma, Panthi
and Suva, the region has National parks/Sanctuaries and has places of
archaeological and religions importance such as Sirpur, Rajim, Malhar, Sita
Bengra, Jogibhatta, Deepadih, Dantewada and Dongargarh where tourists come
automatically. The ancient deposits of Chhattisgarh and Jain religion
memorials are found at Malhar, Sirpur, Maheshpur and Arang. Innumerable
monuments, finely carved temple, vihars, forts and palaces raise in the
visitors mind visions of dynasties and kingdoms of great warriors and
builders, of poets and musicians, of saints and philosophers, of Hindusim,
Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, and Islam.
Saint Guru Ghasidas of Satnami samaj, Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya of vaishnav
samaj and the great poet and saint Kabirdas also hails from this state. The
celebrated chinese traveler Huein Tsang visited the state in the middle of
7th century A.D. Nearly half (44%) of the state is forested and offers a
unique panorama of flora and fauna. The national parks of Kanger Valley and
Indravati, the Sanctuaries of Udanti, Sitanadi, Barnawapara, Achanakmar,
Gomardah, Tamorpingla etc.
Offer the rare opportunity to see the wild buffalo, gaur, tiger, leopard,
singing maina and wide variety of antelopes in sylvan surroundings. A
variety of tradition in each of three geographical and cultural regions of
Baghelkhand plateau, the plains of Mahandi basin, and the Dandkarnaya
plateau of Bastar Have added colour to the states rich cultural tapestry,
making it a many splendor land.
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