Indravati River

History

Festivals and Fairs:

Dusshera:
The most famous festival of Chhattisgarh, is celebrated with great fanfare in Bastar region. Dusshera in Bastar is different, as it has nothing to do with the triumphant return of Lord Rama in Ayodhya or defeat of evil Ravana. Bastar Dusshera is devoted entirely to Goddess Danteshwari and celebrated in high spirits by all major tribes of Bastar.

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 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.

Bairamgarh Wildlife Sanctuary:
This sanctuary abounds in Chital, considered the most beautiful of the deer species. They are found roaming in open grasslands as well as dense forests. Apart from its wildlife, the park has beautiful landscapes.

Bhainsa Darha:
Kanger River flows into this lake, which is spread over nearly four hectares in the thick bamboo forests. Famous residents of this place are Crocodiles and tortoises. It is 63 Km from Jagdalpur.

Chitrakoot Waterfalls:
50 Km from Jagdalpur is the crescent moon shaped Chitrakoot waterfalls. It is often compared with the Niagra falls of the US for its shape, although it is smaller. River Indravati plummets down from the Vindhya mountain ranges and forms these waterfalls. The waterfalls and surrounding areas are spectacular in their beauty and extreme challenge for adventurer’s.

Tirathgarh Waterfalls:
Tirathgarh, 32 Km from Jagdalpur is famous for this waterfall that drops into Mugabahar river. On descending down the steps you can get a grand view of the falling sheets of water that falls from a height of 50 metres. There is also an old Shiv-Parvati temple at the site. You can go up the watchtower to enjoy the panoramic view of the waterfalls and surrounding forests.b Waterfalls abound and range from zig-zag trickles to roaring falls. Smaller waterfalls include Kanger Dhara near Kutumsar, Mandra, Chitradhara, Tamada and Dhoomar. Although smaller, each one surrounded with greenery is a treat to the eyes.

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.

Kailash Cave:
40 metres above the ground level and 200 metres in length, this cave derives its name from the natural carving of the idol of Lord Shiva. It is located on a small hill in the Kanger Valley National Park. It was discovered in 1993 and the salt deposits here, called the music point, sound musical when tapped with a stone. Presently solar energy is used to light this cave. The Stalagmite and Stalactite formations inside the cave are beautiful.

Dandak Cave:
This underground cave was discovered in 1995. It is 200 metres in length and divided into two compartments. To go from the first compartment to the second, you need to go on your knees. White stalactite formations here look resplendent. Solar lamps are used to light the cave.

The whole area of Bastar has many smaller caves such as Kanger, Karpan and Devgiri among others. All the caves are a geologist delight as their rocks are said to be millions of years old.

Help Line/Phone Number

Links:

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

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Location info

• Address:Chattisgarh,India.

• District: Bastar district.

• Nearest City: Jagdalpur.

• Best time to visit: October to March

Things to do at Indravati River

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.

How to reach Indravati River

• **Nearest Railway Station:**Jagdalpur.

• 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.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Government rest houses and a number of good Hotels and Lodges are available in Jagdalpur.

Best time to visit Indravati River

July to March: post-monsoon when water levels are good. During summer, some rivers may run dry.

Timings & opening hours

Accessible 24 hours. Best visited during daylight hours.

Entry fee & tickets

Free entry. Boat rides or guided tours are charged separately.

Duration needed

1–2 hours at a specific ghat or access point. Half-day for boat rides and riverside activities.

Safety tips

Do not swim in unknown or deep sections of the river. Be cautious of strong currents, especially during and after monsoon. Avoid bathing at isolated ghats after dark.

Things to carry

Water bottle, camera, comfortable footwear, and a hat. For boat rides, carry a life jacket (usually provided).

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest airport: the nearest city airport. Nearest railway station: the nearest station on the Central Railway. Accessible by road from nearby towns and cities.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, and Vi all provide excellent coverage across Maharashtra’s cities (Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur) and major tourist areas. 4G is reliable along highways and in most towns. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Tadoba, Melghat, and certain ghat sections. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and cafes.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Maharashtrian cuisine — missal pav, vada pav, puran poli, and local thalis — is widely available.

Climate & weather

Maharashtra has a diverse climate spanning coastal Konkan, the Western Ghats, and the interior Deccan plateau. Winter (November–February) is the best time to visit: temperatures range from 12°C to 30°C depending on region. Summer (March–June) is hot, with interior areas reaching 40°C+ while hill stations (Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala) remain pleasant. The monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rainfall to the coast and ghats but transforms the landscape into lush green. October–November is pleasant post-monsoon.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road to Indravati River. It is advisable to fill fuel before heading to remote areas, especially hill forts and wildlife sanctuaries.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit? Post-monsoon (October–February) when water levels are good offers the best experience. During summer, some rivers may have reduced flow.

Are boat rides available? Boat rides are available at several major river locations. Check locally for availability, types of boats, and safety equipment.

Which are the major temples along this river? Several important temples and ghats are located along the major rivers of Maharashtra, especially the Godavari, Krishna, and Panchganga.

Quick facts

• Location: Maharashtra
• Best time to visit: November to March for pleasant weather
• Ideal duration: 1-2 hours for riverside walks and photography
• Entry: Free access to riverside areas
• Activities: Photography, riverside picnics, and nature walks

Map & location view

• Destination: Indravati River
• State: Maharashtra, India
• Region: riverine landscape of Maharashtra
• How to reach: Accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. Local transport options include buses and taxis.
• Google Maps: Search for “Indravati River, Maharashtra” on Google Maps for precise directions and navigation.

Photo gallery of Indravati River

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Indravati River on popular travel photography sites and social media.