Jagdalpur

Jagdalpur is a municipal corporation in the district of Bastar of the state of Chhattisgarh. It is the administrative headquarters of the district, which was once the capital city of the princely state of Bastar. The region surrounding Jagdalpur, along with the main city, forms a major part of the Bastar District.

There is a mention of Jagdalpur and Bastar District in Valmiki's Ramayana, stating that Lord Rama passed through Dandakaranya. There is also an ancient ashram of sage Valmiki at this place. The Bastar District has been ruled by the kings of numerous dynasties, including the Nals, Kakatiyas and Chalukyas.

Annam Deo was a famous Kakatiya king who left the city of Warangal and established his rule at Bastar in 1424. He was succeeded by King Hamir Deo, Pratap Raj Deo, Rajpal Deo and Dalpat Deo. Jagdalpur became the capital of the kingdom during the rule of Dalpat Deo, who was succeeded by his sons Ajmer Singh and Daryao Deo. Bhairam Deo was the great grandson of Daryao Deo, who died in 1891, leaving behind his son Rudrapratap Deo as the legal heir of Bastar.

Jagdalpur witnessed a tribal revolt in 1910, when the country was under the control of the British. After the death of Rudrapratap Deo in 1921, the throne of Bastar was succeeded by his daughter Praphul Kumari Devi in 1922. She died in 1936 and the kingdom was handed over to her eldest son Maharaja Pravir Chandra Bhanj Deo. In the honour of Maharani Praphul Kumari Devi, the Maharani Hospital at Jagdalpur was built in 1937.

Maharaja Pravir Chandra Bhanj Deo died in 1966 during the police action against his revolt for the rights of tribal people in Bastar District. His grandson, Maharaja Kamal Chandra Bhanj Deo, is the current king of Jagdalpur. The Rath Yatra of the king during Dussehra is the prime tourist attraction of the region. This festival has been an integral part of the destination and has been celebrated for over 75 days in Jagdalpur.

The Jagdalpur city is famous for its traditional wooden handicrafts. The major attractions in Jagdalpur are Danteshwari Temple, Chitrakot Waterfalls, Kailash and Kotumsar Caves and Tirathgarh Waterfalls. Visitors can also visit other places like Sri Venkateshwara Swami Temple, Bastar Palace, Anthropological Museum, Kanger Valley National Park and Ganga Munda & Dalpat Sagar Lakes.

The closest airport to Jagdalpur is situated in the capital city Raipur, which is around 300 km away. Vishakapatnam is also located at almost the same distance and tourists can avail buses and taxis from both the cities to Jagdalpur. Besides, the Jagdalpur Railway Station is also well-connected with the capital city Raipur and other important cities in India. The perfect time to travel to Jagdalpur is during the winter season, which lasts from October through February.