Of Caves Deep & Waterfalls High

The densest forest outside of the Amazon is found in the state of Chhattisgarh. This bountiful landscape boasts of ancient caves, stunning stalactites and stalagmites, and thundering waterfalls that are a study in magnificence.

- Satarupa Paul

The 10th largest state in India, Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh at the turn of the century. It straddles the central east territories of the country and teems with bountiful forests that cover roughly 44 percent of its area and are reportedly the densest forests outside of the Amazon. These rich natural treasure troves beside harbouring a variety of flora and fauna, are also home to ancient caves with mesmerising displays of limestone formations and early cave paintings. Most of these caves are present within the Kanger Valley National Park in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.

A number of rivers run through the state too, including the chief river Mahanadi and its tributary Hadso, Godavari and its tributary Indravati, as well as Rihand, Jonk, Arpa and Shivnath, among others. Along with other water sources, these rivers while lending the plains of Chattisgarh fertile, also create a staggering number of beautiful waterfalls. To travel the state without visiting at least a few of its deep caves and high waterfalls would be to miss out on some of the most stunning offerings of Chhattisgarh. We help you navigate through the best of them.

WATERFALLS

Chitrakote Waterfall Located in Jagdalpur, the headquarters of Bastar district, Chitrakote is one of the largest waterfalls in India and is often referred to as the country’s Niagara. It is a horseshoe-shaped waterfall where the water of the Indravati river thunders down 90 feet from the black boulders of the Vindhyas. The mouth of the waterfall is almost 1,000 feet wide. On an ordinary day you can see three streams, during the monsoon at least seven streams are visible.