On the Indiravati river, there is a natural waterfall which is located about 38 kilometres to the west part of jagdalpur in the Bastar district of Chattisgarh.
This rises from the Kalahandi district of Odisha in the westward from the Vindya range of hills it flows and then forms a fall at Chirakote. From here this flows as a final point into the Godavari river at Bhadra Kali.
But throughout the monsoon season and heavy flood, the river flows with heavy cuts and widens up to 300 meters (approx) in breadth. The water colour changes into a brownish look.
The wide spread of the fall and the convoying roar of the water in the monsoon season are attractive but also look threatening. This one is the biggest waterfall in India with thick forests. The waterfall has two parts, the soother side, and the coarse side. This is a place with rich ancient geographical sites of culture and socio-economic worth.
Chitrakote acquired the name from the Halabi Dialect words i.e. Chittar and Kote. Chittar means “Deers” and Kote means “The Herds”. Halabi words are the most commonly spoken dialect of Bastar and are often referred to as the native language of the region.
The Halba, Gondi and Murya people live in Chitrakote and its nearby places. The major people living near Chitrakoot do farming and sell their goods in the market. Shops are allotted to the villagers by the government which gives them a stage for them to trade their goods and earn food for their families.
But when talking about authentic local foods like Mandiya Pej, BoBo Bajiya, Dal Vada, Chapada Chutney are very commonly famous food among tourists.
There are different kinds of art like Dhokra Art, Tumba Art, Bamboo art, Soil art, and Wood artwork available here. In Chitrakoot, beautiful handicrafts made of Rot Iron, Bell Metals etc. are got to see.
An individual interested in enjoying camping, trekking or boat riding is also an option at the bottom of the waterfall.
Haat is a market held weekly once in Chitrakote. The word “Haat” is also a word from their local language. This is held mostly in big villages or adjoining places of 2 or 3 villages every Friday. During haat, cock fight is the centre of attraction for one and all as this is an income source and also an entertaining way. The visitors can interface with tribals. Gathering of hundreds of people are seen every week at Chitrakote, but most men are seen in the crowd.
Maha Shivratri Mahautsav is an auspicious occasion where thousands of people gather from in and around village areas. A fair is held for 3 days during these days. The fair starts on the first day of Shivaratri and continues for the third day of pooja. Devotees remain wide awake the whole night offering pooja, chanting mantras and meditating. Prasad is distributed among the devotee. A dance is performed by the local tribes on their folk music. During these 3 days, local liquor and local snacks are sold that taste exceptional in flavour.
An individual interested in enjoying camping, trekking or boat riding is also an option at the bottom of the waterfall.
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One can enjoy the fall view from the Deluxe and Wooden rooms available at Dandami Resort at Chitrakoot waterfall.
If this is your first visit to Chitrakoot or you have already visited the waterfall but have yet to visit a few more best tourist places below are a few other to know about –
This is a recent discovery of a waterfall named Tamda Ghumar which is fenced with lavish green meadowlands on both sides. It is just 20 mint drive from Chitrakoot Waterfalls.
Another waterfall is formed during the monsoon months called Mendri Ghoomar Waterfall just 11 kilometres far from Chitrakote falls.
A small waterfall called Chitradhara Waterfall is about 25 kilometres away from Chitrakoot Waterfalls. This lays in the Potanagar area on the primary road to Chitrakoot falls.
Tirtha is a picnic and night camping place on the other side of Chitrakote waterfall. A spot to view the beauty of Chitrakoot falls and enjoy with family whole and overnight.
This is another monsoon-based waterfall called parapur falls which is eye-catching and has a distance 12.9 km from Chitrakoot Falls.
One can reach ChitraKote by Road, By Air or By Train, depending on their origin.
If travelling by roadways to visit Chitrakoot one needs to reach Jagdalpur by interstate bus that is available from the cities like from cities Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Bacheli, Koraput, Jeypore and Bailadila which is in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh.
To reach faster airways will be the best choice as Bastar has its airport which is run by the State Government of Chhattisgarh under a scheme UDAN.
Currently, AIRODISHA runs flights from Jagdalpur to Visakhapatnam and Jagdalpur to Raipur, the available airport nearby is in Raipur which is approximately 300 km away from Bastar. Planes for the major cities are operated from here. At Raipur airport, prepaid taxies are available easily.
Bastar district headquarter is Jagdalpur which is well connected to Raipur and Visakhapatnam by railways. East Coast Railways operates the Jagdalpur railways station. From NMDC bacheli to Vishapakatnam the transportation of iron ore by railway line is the main source. At present-day Vishakapatnam -Kirandul Passenger (58501), Durg –Jagdalpur. The express trains are, Hawrah-Koraput Express (18005), Hirakhand Express (18448) and Vishakapatnam-Jagdalpur (Night Express) are active from Jagdalpur.
Bus services are available on daily basis to and fro in Bastar city whether express or sleeper they are run from a well-connected network of national highways such as NH 30. There is a facility for other state bus transport such as APRTC (Jagdalpur -Vishakapatnam, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry), TSRTC (Jagdalpur-Hyderabad), ( Jagdalpur-Koraput, Jeypore).
The Indian Niagara is a breathtaking beauty, an outing which every traveller would cherish!
This magnificent fall would mesmerize visitors and make them thrilled about it.
The splendid beauty touched us gently and we embraced it.
