Chhattisgarh (छत्तीसगढ़), a state in central India, formed when the sixteen Chhattisgarhi speaking eastern districts of Madhya Pradesh gained statehood on November 1, 2000. Raipur serves as its capital.

This is the 10th largest state of India. It is bigger than states like Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Punjab.

• In fact, it is more than double in size of Sri Lanka, 7 times of Israel, comparable to size of Bangladesh and Nepal and bigger than countries like Greece,North Korea, Portugal, Hungary, Austria and United Arab Emirates.
• Among Asian economic tigers, it is more than 35% bigger to South Korea and is 4 times of Taiwan.

The Chhattisgarhi language, part of the East-Central group of Indo-Aryan languages, predominates language in the region. The hill districts of the state serve as a home to the Gond peoples, who speak Dravidian languages.

Geographical Features

Chhattisgarh has borders on the northwest with Madhya Pradesh, on the west with Maharashtra, on the south with Andhra Pradesh, on the east with Orissa, on the northeast with Jharkhand and on the north with Uttar Pradesh.

Mahanadi (one of largest rivers in India) originates from Chhattisgarh. Other main rivers are Hasdo (a tributary of Mahanadi), Rihand, Indravati, Jonk and Arpa.

The north and south part of the state is hilly. The middle part is plain. The weather and climate is typical to that of central India.

The northern part of the state lies on the edge of the great Indo-Gangetic plain: the Rihand River, a tributary of the Ganges, drains this area. The eastern end of the Satpura Range and the western edge of the Chota Nagpur Plateau form an east-west belt of hills that divide the Mahanadi River basin from the Indo-Gangetic plain. The central part of the state lies in the fertile plain of the Mahanadi and its

Forest covers roughly forty percent of the state.

Districts

Bastar, Bilaspur, Dantewada (South Bastar), Dhamtari, Durg, Janjgir-Champa, Jashpur, Kanker (North Bastar), Kawardha, Korba, Koriya (Korea), Mahasamund, Raigarh, Raipur, Rajnandgaon, and Surguja.

Food Habit and Lifestyle

Rice is the staple food of people in Chhattisgarh. Normally villagers wake up at dawn before sunrise. They start their day by brushing their teeth with brush made by small branche of some tree (especially Neem). Then they take care of their cattles (normally water buffalos, cows and chickens). It includes feeding them and taking water-buffalo to some pond or rivulet for washing. If it is the season then they use a cart (known as Garaa) driven by a pair of water buffalos to carry the fertiliser made of dungs to their agricultural fields in the morning. Or they plough their fields with the help of water buffalo.

After this, they take their bath either in the water of some well or water of some pond or river or rivulet. It is noteworthy that in plain part of Chhattisgarh, each house in the village has one water-well adjacent to the house.

In the morning, women cook a kind of rice-cake. It is prepared by first mixing the coarse flour of rice with some water (making a thick paste), and then some tree leaves are used to cover the paste from all side and is baked among burning charcoals.

This rice-cake is eaten with some 'Chutney' ( made by mixing and grinding things like tomato, garlics, some chillies and some vegetables). In addition, in the night steamed rice (known as 'Bhath') is dropped in some good amount of water. In the morning (around 8-9 am), this steamed rice mixed with water (along with salt and sometimes some curd) is eaten.

After this, usual working day starts. In the noon (around 12), they take their meal. It usually consists of steamed rice, some dal, and one vegetable. Sometimes they eat some non-veg items like chicken (known as 'Kookri', fish ('Maachhi'), prawns/shrimps ('Chingari'), mutton ('Bokara') or any item that they can get in the field or river like mushrooms ('Putu'), shells/snails ('Ghongha'), crabs and others. Though most of people are non-vegetarian, they eat these items infrequently (unlike other countries). Some people avoid non-veg items and even items that look red due to religious beliefs (probably it is the remaining influence of Buddhism on the religious behaviours in the region).

Villagers go

Other noteworthy points for foreigners: Consumption of alocohol is considered 'very bad' due to its devastating effects on the society. Women drinking alcohol will specially attract negative attentions. Smoking by man/woman is not considered bad to that extent and can be ok.

Tourism

Chhattisgarh, situated in the heart of India, is endowed with a rich cultural heritage and attractive natural diversity. The State is full of ancient monuments, rare wildlife, exquisitely carved temples, Buddhist sites, palaces, water falls, caves, rock paintings and hill plateaus.

Most of these sites are untouched and unexplored and offer a unique and alternate experience to tourists compared to traditional destinations which have become overcrowded. Because of this Chhattisgarh offers the tourist a Destination with a Difference. For those who are tired of the crowds at major destinations, Bastar, with its unique cultural and ecological identity, will come as a breath of fresh air. The Green State of Chhattisgarh has 44% of its area under forests, and is one of the richest bio-diversity areas in the country.

Culture, Heritage and Ethno-Tourism

Chhattisgarh is one of the least developed state of India. The per capita income is around USD 250 (in 2001). Only 20% of population lives in urban area. Most of people have not experienced amenities like telephone. As such, Chhattisgarh provides opportunity for both domestic and foreign tourists to interact with people who are simple, friendly and still following their customs and old Asian lifestyle.

Chhattisgarh is very different from other states known to outside world. It is the state where society was least affected by classical doctrines of Hinduism and most of the customs and cultural practices are unique. As such one finds that women here are quite powerful in society compared to other parts of India, and they can choose and even terminate a marriage relationship according to their wish. Most of the old temples here are related to women power (eg Shabari, Mahamaya, Danteshwari). This state also host many religious sects like Satnami, Kabirpanth and others which originated as reaction to caste based Hinduism practised by outsiders coming to the state.

The best way for outsiders to experience the life in Chhattisgarh is to stay in some hotel in city/town like Bilaspur, Raipur, Korba and Bhilai. There are many travel agents in Bilaspur and Raipur. One can book a Jeep or Car for a day for journey of 300KM in around 40 USD. One can go for train journey from Raigarh (-Sakti-Champa-Bilaspur) to Raipur.

In Machadoli (120 KM from Bilaspur), there is a well looked (and very cheap) rest house/hotel managed by state government. This rest house is next to the Minimata Bango Dam constructed on Hasdo river. To live in this rest house will be the best option for people who would like to explore the nature and forest.

On sunday usually, markets are arranged in some prominent villages. Attending these markets will allow to know local culture much better.

Chhattisgarh has identified and is developing ethnic villages and private sector is encouraged for proper maintenance and professional site management of important heritage sites/monuments. -Bhoramdeo-Rajim-Sirpur-Tala-Malhar-Sheorinarayan -Ratanpur

A good account of local culture including festivals, dress and music is given under "Culture" subtitle at this link Raipur District.

How to Reach

Bilaspur is the major railway station in India and is well connected to other cities of India. Raipur is connected to metro cities like Delhi, Bombay/Mumbai, Madras/Chennai and Calcutta/Kolkata by flight.

Politics

There is heavy presence of armed communists (known as Naxalites) in southern and northern part of the state. There are 4 major political parties having followersin the state:

• Bharatiya Janata Party (currently having the government in the state)
• Indian National Congress(Indira) (had the goverment in the last term)
• Bahujan Samaj Party
• Gondwana Party

Other informative pages are

• Assembly election results of Chhattisgarh
• List of political parties in the state

Recent developments

On September 3, 2005, twenty policemen were killed by a mine in the district of Bijapur. The mine had been laid there by Naxalite rebels, who have joined hands with the rebels in Nepal and Bangladesh. (source: , September 4, 2005, Neue Zürcher Zeitung).

Other Related Pages

• Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh
• Raipur District
• Mahanadi River

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