The city of Raipur was founded in the 9th century AD and played an important role in the regional politics, trade and commerce, under different kingdoms. The importance of Raipur as a tourist destination lies in the fact that it's considered the gateway to unique and beautiful Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. Explore the unique and beautiful culture and scenic beauty of Chhattisgarh on your tours to Raipur.

The major attractions worth visiting on your Raipur tour include the 19th century Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum, Hatkeswar Mahadev Temple, Mahamaya Temple, Mahakoshal Art Gallery, Dudhadhari Monastery and the 15th century Budhapara Lake. Established in 1875 by Raja Mahant Ghasidas of Rajnandgaon, the Museum has two floors with five galleries and a library having a good collection of records of the major events of town's history. Some interesting objects related to nature like mammals, snakes, and birds are also been kept in the museum.

Prime Attractions

Champaran (Champajhar)

The village is identified with Champaranya, the birth place of the Saint Vallabhacharya, the reformer and founder of the Vallabh Sect for whom this place has religious sanctity. A temple was constructed in honour of Guru Swamy Vallabhacharya. Near to this Temple, there is the temple of Champakeshwara Mahadeva.

Sirpur

Sirpur or Shripur the city of wealth has been mentioned in ancient epigraphic records and dates back to a periods ranging from between the Fifth and the Eighth century A.D. It was then the capital of the Sarbhapuriya and Somvanshi Kings of Dakshin Kosala or Chhattigarh. It was an important centre of Buddhist from the 6th the 10th century A.D. and was visited by Hieun Tsang, the 7th Century Chinese Pilgrimist and Scholar. Excavations in and around the village have yielded scores of temple sites constructed of bricks, stone pillars and sculptures such as the Shiva Temple of Panchayatan style and the beautiful sculpture of Mahishasuramardini.Two Buddhist monasteries have also been found.

Turturiya

The Forest village Turturiya Situated on the bank of a spring called Turturiya or Sursuri Ganga contains numerous buddhist remains of 8th Century A.D. and the Brahmanical remains of later period. The site yielded numerous exquisitely sculptured pillars, remains of Stupa made of fine bricks, traces of bathing Ghats, Lingams figures of four armed Vishnu, Ganesha, a man hunting a lion with sword and a man wrestling with an animal. There are numerous heaps of ruins all of bricks, picked with stone. The place is of a great archaeological and anthropological interest.

Rajim

Situated on the right bank of the river Mahanadi was one of the important urban centres in the Mahakoshal region. It is famous for its fine group of temples. The main temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu known as Rajivalochana Temple. The twelve pillars of the temple have tall single figures sculptured on the face like Durga with eight arms, the Ganga and Yamuna and exquisitely carved incarnation of Vishnu, Rama, Varaha (boar) and Narasimha (Man-cum-Lion) etc.

How to Get There

Raipur is the capital city of Chhattisgarh, so well connected by air, rail and roads with the major cities of the central India and metros of India. The National Highway (NH) No. 6 passes through the city and NH No.43 link it with Vijaya Nagram in Andhra Pradesh.