Kanker in Chhattisgarh

Jorge Reverter

If Naxalites stay peaceful, I'll be traveling through Chhattisgarh next October.

My train from Jalgaon/Bhusaval goes to Raipur. As far as I know there is no interest at all in this city, my idea is to travel by bus to Jagdalpur to stay there a couple of weeks to visit the tribal villages (at least weekly markets) in Bastar area as well as in places like Onukudeli in Orissa.

On the middle of the way from Raipur to Jagdalpur I want to stay in Kanker to move around, but it seems you can only stay in Kanker Palace (only three suites) and I would like to know if there are other hotel/guesthouses in town. Oddly enough, a lot of Tour operators offer this hotel with only three rooms ???????? is probably a case of overbooking but I'm not so sure because most probably nobody goes there.

Jorge

steven_ber

But check out the places near Raipur.

I just love the photos in the following link, they reminded me of a lot of your photos.

http://www.pbase.com/cathryn/india2007

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Train information.

steven_ber

I read an old review of the Kanker Palace a few years ago, it's said to be a very friendly place, and if I'm not getting confused, still run by the same (royal?) family. (I read at the time that they were trying to increase the number of rooms)

Have you also looked into visiting Kawardha Palace, the area looks interesting, and it's very close to the Bhoramdeo temples.

Jorge Reverter

Thanks Steven,

I've already seen the pictures from the thread in TT in lonely planet, I've loved the pics and the information.

I'll probably stay few days in Raipur area to visit Bhoramdeo Temples I've seen the huts beside the temples and probably is a good idea to stay there instead to go back to Raipur. Also Rajim is very interesting, have found a video about this place:
http://www.motionbox.com/video/playe...c92?type=basic

You can reach Rajim by a narrow gauge train from Raipur.

Probably will be better to travel by train from Raipur to Vizag and then by the KK train to Jagdalpur.

Jorge

steven_ber

I can't find much info about Rajim, the video link is to the wrong video, those narrow gauge trains are a great experience, but I'd guess you've been on a few already.

Why go to Vizag if you'll be in Raipur? just for the scenic part of the train ride in daylight hours?

I seem to remember that you're also going to try to get to Badrachalam, the roads from Jagdalpur to Badrachalam are supposed to be very scenic, but too much of the area is 'controlled' by Naxalites.

A bit of news you may be interested in....Just east of Nandad is a place called Mudkhed, a new broad gauge line has just opened going through Adilabad and connecting with the main line just south of Wardha/Sevagram, there's only one train been announced so far for this route (Mumbai-Nagpur), but I'm sure there will be more to follow, maybe heading towards Raipur, it could make this route an interesting alternative to the Jalgaon route.

hawaiiyogagrl

I can agree that Raipur isn't the most scenic place. In Chattissgarh one sometimes needs to go there for supplies, money changing, an atm, and other logistical needs. I'll be back in Chhattisgarh this summer and will fly in and out of Raipur.
I can't wait to hear of your tales- to places I have never been.
I'll post what I here about violence while I am there this summer. Last year, I heard about the blowing up of buses and the like after I got back to Delhi.

Jorge Reverter

Steven,

Have edited my post, the mistake was only a wrong number. To go to Jagdalpur through Vizag is not probably a good idea, I can make the KK train from Jagdalpur on my way to Rajahmundry, but again I'm not sure if is worth to start in Rajahmundry the Godavari cruise to Papi Kondalu or directly in Bhadrachalam, as it seems a more interesting place.

I know the roads are not easy in Chhattisgarh but I've got the same problems when traveling in Orissa few years ago. Carpe Diem.

In any case I still have too many ideas like visiting from Rajahmundry the Godavari's mouths to look for Konaseema backwaters near Amalapuram. From there the mouths of Krishna River are quite close, Vijayawada is just there and then I can have a look at the buddhist site of Amaravathi.

Jorge

steven_ber

Research is a pain, every new thing you find out adds another place to the 'must visit' list.

I've got a book about the Godavari Delta and Papi Kondalu, it's called 'Indian Balm' by Paul Hyland, if you PM me your address I'll send it to you. (well, a friend will be in Lisbon in 2 weeks, I'll ask him to post it from there).

You can get an overnight train from Vizag to Narasapur (SL only), the stop before Narasapur is close to where AP tourism were supposed to start the 'backwater cruises' from, don't know if they ever started them, I have more details if you need them.

vinayverma

Immediately after my graduation I was in that region working for a large FMCG company and was mostly on road. I know that's many-many years ago but I hope this helps.
Kanker has good acco options other than the palace. They are more basic options and only few may have ACs but october is nice weather and you may not need an AC. As in most part of interior India, you have govt' guest houses or PWD (public Works Department) guest houses (sometimes they are also called circuit house)in every major town. Kanker too has one, ut when I was there it was always accupied by the brother of the local Minister.
Apart from Kanker, you also have options of staying at Keskal (thats where the climb starts) it has a great govt. guest house in the middle of thick forest (but on the road) and bit away from the village. Then Kondagaon has both govt and private guest houses.
From Jagdalpur, my fav was to travel to Jaypore and onto Koraput in Orrisa.

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Jorge Reverter

vinayverma,

Thanks for the information, most probably I'll stay in Kanker because there is no reason to go straight from Raipur to Jagdalpur (300 km by bus is quite a lot if you are not in a hurry)and I want to have a look of some places near Kanker.

I know quite well the area between Koraput and Jeypore, but I'll visit again to see again Bonda people.

Jorge

Jorge Reverter

If interested in the area, have a look at this link:
http://www.marutiudyog.com/ut/destin...5&ct=7&sc=2 5

Jorge

sego

Hi Jorge,
Hope you are having a wonderful time in Chattisgarh.Since you are in this region, can you enquire for me from some of the folks if there is a village called Borsai(or close to this spelling or pronounciation) in Bhatapara. I would appreciate your help,I checked maps, email government offices etc. but no luck. Thanks.

steven_ber

I think I found it, I replied in your original thread.

A pity I didn't have time to look when you posted the first time, I found the location within 5 minutes.

sushildamle

We (4 or 9 people) propose to visit by road to JAGDALPUR (Chattisgarh, India) by Tata Indica or Tata Sumo vehicle (as the case may be) from Hyderabad via Karimnagar, Bhopalpatnam.

Could any one advice us or give information directly or methodology of getting information on the following points:
1. To work out expenses, we would like to know the ROAD TAX we may have to pay for TATA INDICA or TATA SUMO (Taxi permit vehicle) while entering Chattisgarh from Andhra Pradesh.
2. To visit Tirathgarh falls, Chitrakoot falls, Danteshwari temple, Kotamsar caves and National parks if possible, what is best itinerary, how many days minimum required and right period. I could see beautiful water falls on net and would like to witness myself the same, hence approximate best period to for the same.
3. A list or names of Economical or budget or cheapest hotels with bare minimum requirements fulfilled, with tariff if possible.

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