Bastar: Waterfalls, Forests and Living Traditions

Waterfalls, caves and forest landscapes give Bastar a varied character. Chitrakote Falls is located on the Indravati River in Bastar district and is 90 feet high. July to October is considered a suitable time to visit. The region also offers caves, historic temples and festivals with their own traditions for visitors who want to combine nature experiences with culture.

Water and forest in Bastar

Teerathgarh Falls is another striking natural site, located on the Munga Bahar River. Dalpat Sagar, in turn, is the largest artificial lake in Chhattisgarh. These water destinations differ in their location and characteristics; together, they show the variety of landscapes you can experience on a trip through Bastar.

Kanger Valley National Park covers 200 square kilometres. Its characteristic moist mixed deciduous forest contains abundant sal, saugawn and teak trees, as well as bamboo. The Bastar myna, a hill myna and the state bird of Chhattisgarh, also lives in the park. A Gypsy safari is offered there to explore the natural landscape. If nature experiences are your main consideration when choosing a holiday rental, you can make this landscape a focus of your trip.

Caves and seasonal differences

Kotumsar Cave is a limestone cave in the Kanger limestone belt near the Kanger River and is considered an important ecotourism attraction. There is an important restriction to keep in mind when planning your trip: during the monsoon season, which generally lasts from mid-June to mid-October, the cave is closed to tourists due to frequent flooding. Thus, the July-to-October period suitable for visiting Chitrakote Falls falls within the time when Kotumsar Cave is closed.

Another cave in the Kanger Valley National Park area is Kailash Cave. It is considered the oldest cave there. Stalactites and stalagmites form shapes resembling a Shivlinga.

Temples, crafts and festivals

Narayanpal Temple dates back to the 11th century. It is distinct from Narayan Temple in Narainpal, which is listed as a centrally protected monument in Bastar district. Bastar Palace is also part of the region’s history: it was built by the rulers of Bastar. If you are interested in historic architecture, you can include these sites in your travel plans as cultural highlights alongside the natural attractions.

Tradition is also reflected in local crafts. Bastar district specialises in producing Dhokra handicrafts. At the Bastar Goncha Festival, also known as the Chariot Festival, a procession of local deities takes place every year in elaborately crafted wooden chariots. Bastar Dashara, also known as Bastar Dussehra, is celebrated for 75 days, and no effigy of Ravana is burned. The festival’s long duration and this distinctive feature set it apart from the idea of a festival associated with such a burning.

Jagdalpur as a travel-planning hub

During the Dussehra celebrations, Jagdalpur, Bastar’s largest city, is likely to be the main base for planning your stay and travel in the region. Regular bus services, including express and sleeper buses, run daily to and from Jagdalpur on a well-developed national highway network that includes NH 30. When choosing a holiday rental, your preferred travel dates and interests—such as waterfalls, caves, forests or culture—can therefore help guide your decision. If you plan to visit a cave, be sure to take particular note of the monsoon closure of Kotumsar Cave.

Discover Jagdalpur here. Other destinations in the same wider region: Raipur, Raigarh, Dantewada, Janjgir-Champa, Rajnandgaon, Kawardha and Bilaspur.

For the wider travel overview: Chhattisgarh.