Bastar: Waterfalls, Caves and Festivals

Chitrakote Waterfall is on the Indravati River in Bastar district and is 90 feet high; Teerathgarh Waterfall is on the Munga Bahar River. Dalpat Sagar is Chhattisgarh’s largest artificial lake. Bastar therefore offers a range of water-related destinations: two waterfalls, each associated with a named river, and an artificial lake.

Forest and caves in Kanger Valley National Park

Kanger Valley National Park covers 200 square kilometres. It consists of typical moist mixed deciduous forest, with abundant sal, Saugawn, teak and bamboo trees. The park is also home to the Bastar myna, a hill myna and the state bird of Chhattisgarh. The forest and birdlife add more specific nature themes to your trip beyond the waterfalls.

Kotumsar Cave is a limestone cave in the Kanger limestone belt near the Kanger River and a major ecotourism attraction. Kailash Cave is the oldest cave in the Kanger Valley National Park area. Inside, stalactites and stalagmites form shapes resembling a Shivlinga. The two caves therefore differ in their described features: Kotumsar is notable for its limestone location and ecotourism, while Kailash stands out for its age within the park area and its distinctive rock formations.

Temples, handicrafts and festivals

Narayanpal Temple dates back to the 11th century. Narayan Temple in Narainpal is listed as a centrally protected monument in Bastar district. Bastar Palace was built by the rulers of Bastar. These structures offer different historical points of interest, from a dated temple to the palace of the Bastar rulers.

Dhokra handicrafts also shape the district’s cultural profile: Bastar specialises in their production. Bastar Dashara, also known as Bastar Dussehra, is celebrated for 75 days without burning an effigy of Ravana. The Bastar Goncha Festival, held annually in Bastar, is also known as the Chariot Festival. Its programme includes a procession of local deities in ornately crafted wooden chariots. If you are planning your trip around Goncha, check the specific festival dates in advance.

Seasonal guidance for your trip

The period from July to October is considered suitable for visiting Chitrakote Waterfall. Kotumsar Cave has a different seasonal condition: during the monsoon season, which generally lasts from mid-June to mid-October, it is closed to tourists because of frequent flooding. The periods largely overlap. Therefore, a travel period suitable for Chitrakote does not mean that Kotumsar Cave is open during the same period. If you plan to visit both destinations, consider their seasonal guidance separately.

Regular bus services, including express and sleeper buses, run daily on a well-developed national highway network, including NH 30, to and from Jagdalpur. Schedules and connections may change, so check the service for your travel date. During Bastar’s Dussehra celebrations, Jagdalpur, Bastar’s largest city, is likely to be the main base for planning your stay and travel in the region.

Discover more destinations: Jagdalpur, Raigarh, Mahasamund, Kawardha, Raipur, Kanker, Durg, Jashpur

For the broader travel overview: Chhattisgarh.