Chattisgarh

Capital : Raipur
Principal Language : Hindi, Chhattisgarhi
Largest City : Raipur
Establishment : 2000-11-01

Districts :

Baster | Bilaspur | Dantewada | Dhamtari | Durg | Janjgir-Champa | Jashpur | Kanker | Kawardha | Korba | Koriya | Mahasamund | Raigarh | Raipur | Rajnandgaon | Surguja

Geography :

Once part of the state of Madhya Pradesh, the young state of Chhattisgarh now calls its former brothers neighbors. Chhattisgarh lays in eastern India, bordered by Uttar Pradesh on the north, Jharkhand and Orissa on the east, Andhra Pradesh on the south, and Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh on the west. Unfortunately the young state often suffers droughts, because it has only perennial river veins (like the Mahanadi, Indrawati, and Sheonath) for water sources.

Important Cities - Towns and Religious - Tourist Place :

Ambikapur (caves built in ancient age), Bilaspur, Durg (beautiful forts), Jagdalpur (wild life sanctuary), Raigarh, Raipur, Rajnandgaon (Buddhist Monuments), Bhilai (steel plant) and Korba (BALCO Plant), Baikunthpur, Jashpur, Janjgir, Champa and Mahasamund (populous towns).

Climate :

Considering that the state sits on the Tropic of Cancer, it is not surprising that the typical word used to describe Chhattisgarh weather is hot. More specifically, the state is classified as being a tropical climate with cool winters and scorching summers. The summer season (mid-April to June) brings temperatures into the 100s (45C), and the winter season (September to mid-April) pushes them down into the 50s (10C). In between these times, Chhattisgarh experiences vital monsoon rains that hydrate the land.

Location :

Chattisgarh is bounded by southern Jharkhand and Orissa in the east, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa in the cast, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra in the West, Uttar Pradesh and western Jharkhand in the north and Andhra Pradesh in the south.

Culture :

Chhattisgarh population is made up mostly of local tribal groups. The largest of these groups are the Gonds, the Oraon, the Kanwar, the Baiga, and the Birhar Saura. These many tribes provide a rich tapestry of culture for the state. The large migrant population that came to Chhattisgarh seeking work also adds to this the brilliant diversity. The predominance of Hinduism helps bind these many peoples.

Dance and music provide the greatest form of amusement, as well as a glimpse of tribal history. Pandwani singing, Chandeni, and Bharthari are the prevailing music forms, while Panthi Dance, Nacha, Gond, and Muria are the most popular dance forms.

Cuisine in the state varies from much of India thanks to tribal culture. Though rice is the main part of the Chhattisgarh diet, red ants, flying ants, squirrels, and rats are special delicacies of the area. Pork is also a major item of the diet, and major ceremonies typically begin with a pig sacrifice. Moreover, liquor brewed from mahuwa is a specialty of the tribal culture.

History :

The new State of Chhattisgarh which came into being from November 1, 2000 as the State of the Union fulfils the hopes and aspirations of the tribal People for which the Constitution centrists the State to promote with special care the State to pr omote with special care their educational and economic interests (Article 46--Directive Principles of State Policy). It fulfils the long cherished demand of these people which was not acceded to by the State Reorganization Commission in 1956 and continued to be put forward by the people under various bodies like Chhattisgarh Bhartir Sangh, Chhattisgarh Asmita Sangthan from time to time.

Economy :

About 46% of the total area in the State is covered with thick forests. The rest is largely rocky leaving little scope for agricultural land. The State is, however, rich in mineral resources. Copper, Coal; Iron, Lime Stone, Manganese are abundant. In Raipur district, a huge reserve of diamonds has been discovered which can yield a revenue of nearly rupees two thousand crores annually. Tendu leaves, Chironji, harar, Baheda, mahu flower and sal seed are some of the forest produce yielding an annual income of nearly Rs. 217 cores. The prominent industrial units are at Bhilai (Steel Plant) and Korba (BALCO plant).

States and Union Territories of India