Raigarh: Nature, Dance and Traditional Crafts

In Raigarh district, the landscape ranges from the high, forested plateaus of Pandrapat and Khuria in the north to the treeless, dusty plains of Raigarh and Sarangarh in the south. This striking contrast brings together very different landscapes within the district.

Landscape and Wildlife

The Gomarda Wildlife Sanctuary lies near Sarangarh in hilly terrain and covers 275 square kilometres. Tourists visit the sanctuary to see wild buffalo moving in herds. For nature enthusiasts, this is a specific attraction: wildlife viewing takes centre stage here, not just the scenery.

Ram Jharna offers a different focus. The site has a natural water source and is considered a picnic spot. The natural attractions therefore differ in their focus: Gomarda is associated with wild buffalo in herds, while Ram Jharna is known for its spring and its character as a picnic spot.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

Two different locations are useful to know when travelling by train. Raigarh railway station is on the important Mumbai–Howrah railway line; most trains on this route stop at Raigarh. Bhupdevpur is the nearest railway junction for Ram Jharna, six kilometres away. These details answer different questions: Raigarh is a stop on the main line, while Bhupdevpur is the nearest railway junction for Ram Jharna. Check the timetable for your specific connection before setting off.

Music, Dance and Crafts

Gaurishankar Mandir is located in Raigarh. The city is also associated with the Kathak dance tradition known as the Raigarh Gharana and with classical music. The Chakradhar Samaroh is an event that puts music and dance explicitly at its centre: it is held every year in Raigarh on the occasion of Ganesh Puja and is known for special music and dance performances. If you would like to include the Samaroh in your trip, check the event dates in advance. The Gharana refers to the dance tradition, while the Samaroh is the annual festival.

Crafts also offer specific ways to explore the district. Dhokra bell-metal work is a speciality of Raigarh and is made by Jhara tribes using the lost-wax technique. The Jhara tribes create Dhokra bell-metal work using the lost-wax technique, in which the wax is melted out before the metal is cast.

Tasar silk and Malburry silk are produced in Raigarh district. Kosa silk is known for its lustre, smoothness and softness, and is often used for traditional Indian saris. Taken together, these cultural themes range from music and dance to textiles and metalwork, each with its own traditions and materials.

Discover more destinations: Gopi Mahka, Janjgir-Champa, Kanker, Jashpur, Bilaspur, Durg, Dantewada, Kawardha.

For the broader travel overview: Chhattisgarh.