Mumbai Orbit


Indravati River

Indravati River

About:
The Indravati River is a major tributary of the Godavari River, flowing through the central part of India. Originating from the Eastern Ghats in Odisha, it travels across Chhattisgarh before merging into the Godavari River in Maharashtra. The river is an important water source and plays a key role in agriculture, wildlife conservation, and the ecosystem of the regions it flows through.


Location info:
Address:Chattisgarh,India.
District: Bastar district.
Nearest City: Jagdalpur.
Best time to visit: October to March

Climate/Weather:
Summer (March to June): Hot and dry, with temperatures often soaring above 40°C. Monsoon (July to September): Moderate to heavy rainfall, with increased water levels and occasional floods. Winter (October to February): Cool and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 12°C to 25°C, making it the best time to visit.

History:

Festivals and Fairs:

The Indravati River has been an integral part of the history and culture of the regions it traverses. It is mentioned in ancient Indian texts and has historically supported the livelihoods of indigenous tribes in Chhattisgarh and Odisha. The river is also central to many local myths and legends.

Madai Festival:
Another famous festival of this region is held in the different villages extending from Mandla to Bastar. Thousands of devotees gather under the shade of a sacred tree to sacrifice a goat to the Mother Goddess and the whole night is spent in dancing, eating and merry making.

Bhagoriya Festival:
A popular festival among Bhil tribes of the region is dedicated to the god of dance. Bhagoradev, the god of dance is worshipped with young girls and boys dance with each other and express their love.

Interesting things to do:
Visit the Anthropological museum on the route to Chitrakoot waterfalls, also gives valuable insight into tribal history and culture. There also exists a Jagdalpur palace & museum which showcases the long history of Bastar.Also to check out are the Danteshwari & Venkateshwara temple and an interpretation centre at Kutumsar, imparts knowledge to visitors about the wild life and forests.

Interesting things to Visit:

Indravati National Park:
It is situated in Dantewad (formerly Bastar) district of Madhya Pradesh. The Tiger Reserve is named after the Indravati river which flows from East to West and forms Northern boundary with Maharashtra.The Reserve forests are the catchment area of the perennial river Indravati. Numerous seasonal streams criss-cross the area. The terrain is undulating with most of the area covered with small hills - Kutroo to Kandlapatru and Matti Murka.There are around a score of excellent grasslands. Wild buffalo, Chital, Barking deer, Neelgai, gaur are seen grazing in these areas.

The Park has derived its name from the Indravati River, flows from east to west, forming the northern boundary of the reserve with the Indian state of Maharashtra. The park has a total area of roughly 2799.08 sq km, Indravati attained the class of a National Park in 1981 and a Tiger Reserve in 1983 under the famous Project Tiger of India to become one of the most famous tiger reserves in India.

Kanger Valley National Park:
Kanger Valley was declared a National Park in 1982. It has breathtaking wilderness and abundant fauna. Located on the banks of Kholaba river, 27 Km from Jagdalpur, it is the ideal place for nature lovers and wild life enthusiasts. Wildlife here includes panther, tiger, bear, snakes and many species of deer’s.

Mobile range info:
Most major mobile service providers like Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone have reasonable coverage in urban and semi-urban areas near the Indravati River. However, in remote or forested areas (especially near the national park), mobile connectivity can be unreliable.

How to reach?
By Road:The Indravati River is well-connected by roads, with highways leading to cities and towns like Jagdalpur, Dantewada, and Bhawanipatna. Regular bus services operate from cities like Raipur, Bhubaneswar, and Nagpur.
Nearest Airport: Raipur and Vishakhapatnam.
Road Transport: Jagdalpur , the district head quarters of Bastar district is well connected by roads to all important cities and towns of the state and near by states also.

Nearest Visiting places:

There are a chain of waterfalls and many other tourist places in Bastar. The MANDAWA waterfalls is located 12 km away from Tokapal of Jagdalpur Tehsil. It is also a natural place of tourism. Another waterfall in Bastar district is CHITRADHARA, which is just 19 km away from Jagdalpur and is in Potanar village of Lohandiguda block of Jagdalpur Tehsil. THAMADA GHUMAR water fall is another recently discovered waterfall which is also in Lohandiguda block. Its height is more than 100 feet and is generally formed from the water in rainy season. There are green fields on both sides of this waterfall .

Kutumsar Cave:
This underground cave is 330 metres in length and is known to be the second longest natural cave in the world. It is about 32 Km from Jagdalpur and was discovered in the year 1900. There are stairs at the entrance and once inside, you can see stalactite formations. No sunlight reaches the cave and in little puddles of water there live blind fish and frogs. The cave has many connecting compartments. At the end of the cave is a stalagmite Shiv-linga, which is revered by tribals and visitors alike.

Nearest Petrol Pump:
Bhawanipatna Petrol Pump: If traveling from Odisha, there are several petrol stations in Bhawanipatna, a town near the river's source.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:
Government rest houses and a number of good Hotels and Lodges are available in Jagdalpur.

Things to carry:
Light clothing for the day, and warm clothes if visiting in winter Trekking shoes or comfortable walking shoes Water bottles, snacks, and energy bars Sun protection: hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses Camera and binoculars for wildlife and bird watching Mosquito repellent First-aid kit

Tips & Suggestions:
The best time to visit is from October to March when the weather is pleasant, and the river and waterfalls are at their scenic best. Be cautious while venturing into forested or wildlife areas, and preferably go with a guide. Always carry sufficient drinking water and light snacks, as amenities might be scarce in remote locations. Respect the local culture and avoid littering in natural areas. Make sure to check mobile network availability in remote areas and download offline maps if needed.

Help Line/Phone Number:
Police Station: 100
Nearest Hospital:
1.Maharani Hospital,New Narendra Talkies Raod,Jagdalpur.
2.Vivekanand Tribal Hospital,Dharampura (Kangoli),Jagdalpur.

Links:

http://surs-pensieve-sur.blogspot.com/2007/05/exploring-chhattisgarh-bastar.html