Jagdalpur

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name=Jagdalpur
type=city
latd = 19.07|longd=82.03
state_name=Chhattisgarh
district=Bastar District
altitude=552
population_as_of = 2007 | population_total = ~250000 | population_density =
area_magnitude=1
area_total=
area_telephone= 07782
postal_code= 494001
vehicle_code_range= CG-XX
unlocode=I
footnotes = |

Jagdalpur is a city and a municipality in Bastar district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. It is the administrative headquarters of Bastar District and Bastar Division, and was the capital of the erstwhile princely state of Bastar. Jagdalpur and its surrounding area comprise a major part of the Bastar District. The area is famous for age old wooden handicrafts. These are in high demand among both local as well as foreign tourists.

Geography

Jagdalpur is located at coord|19.07|N|82.03|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/37/Jagdalpur.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Jagdalpur] ] . It has an average elevation of 552 metres (1811 feet).

The city is located on the south bank of the Indravati River.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Jagdalpur had a population of 73,687. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Jagdalpur has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 79%, and female literacy is 68%. In Jagdalpur, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

History

The history of Jagdalpur (Bastar) takes us as deep into the past as Valmiki's Ramayana. It was the famous Dandakaranya through which Lord Rama is supposed to have passed. Scholars have also identified Valmiki's ashram here.

The Bastar rulers trace their ancestry not just to the moon, but also to Prithviraj Chauhan, the last Hindu king to rule from Delhi in the 12th century. Bastar has seen the rule of number of kingdoms like the Nals, Chalukyas and the Kakatiyas. The great Kakatiya King Pratap Rudra's brother, Annam Deo, left Warangal and established his kingdom at Bastar, around AD 1424.

Bastar has seen several hundred years of royal rule, wars of succession, conquering of kingdoms, battles, conspiracies etc. After Annam Deo it witnessed the rule of Hamir Deo ,Pratap Raj Deo ,Rajpal Deo,Dalpat Deo and others. It was during the reign of Dalpat Deo that the capital of their kingdom was shifted to Jagdalpur.

After the death of Dalpat Deo, his son Daryao Deo over threw his elder brother Ajmer Singh from the throne, and became the ruler. Ajemr Singh was successful in securing the throne back but after two years Daryao Deo once again succeeded in overthrowing Ajmer Singh and became the ruler.

After the death of Daryao Deo, his eldest son Mahipal Deo succeeded to the throne of Bastar. He was latter succeeded by Bhopal Deo. Bhairam Deo was the next successor.

Bhairam Deo died in 1891 , leaving a minor son Rudrapratap Deo. During his minority the state was managed by government until January 1908 when the young Raja was installed as Feudatory Chief of Bastar. In 1910 a tribal revolt occurred against the Diwan and British government who ruled over the state. Raja Rudrapratap Deo died in 1921 and his daughter Praphul Kumari Devi ascended the throne in 1922.He married with the prince of Mayurbhanj princely state of Orissa.

Praphul Kumari Devi died in 1936 in London and her elder son Maharaja Pravir Chandra Bhanj Deo ,first Oriya ruler of Bastar and the 20th Maharaja of Bastar, ascended the throne in 1936 as a minor age. The famous Maharani hospital at Jagdalur was built in memory of Maharani Praphul Kumari Devi in 1937.

Later in 1941, an Air strip was made at Jagdalpur. One bridge was also constructed during this time over river indravati. In 1948, Bastar state has been merged in Indian Union. Maharaja Pravir Chandra Bhanj Deo got killed in a "police action" on 25 March 1966 when he revolted against the Union Of India for the rights of tribals in his erstwhile principality, scores if not hundreds of tribals got killed in that police action defending their former ruler,Fact|date=October 2007 who ultimately succumbed to 13 bullet injuries in Baster Palace. The current maharaja Kamal Chandra Bhanj Deo is his grand nephew.

Transport

Jagdalpur is well connected with road from the State capital Raipur and other parts of neighbouring state Orissa. In addition to this a railway station is also there and a passenger train with sleeper coach is running daily to Vishakhapatnam and vice-versa. The railway station is located in a naturally beautiful area, where sometimes film shootings are carried out. More over an Air Strip is also situated in Jagdalpur: Jagdalpur Airport; but presently no passenger services are currently rendered from here (as of early 2007).

Places of interest

Danteshwari Temple located arourd 80 km (50 mi) from Jagdalpur city is the famous and sacred temple of Ma (Hindi for mother) Danteshwari, a local goddess, worshipped as an incarnation of Shakti. This temple is believed to possess several divine powers. Every year during dushera thousands of tribals from surrounding villages and jungles gather here to pay homage to the goddess.

Situated in Dantewada, south-west of Jagdalpur, at the confluence of the holy rivers Shankini & Dhankini, this six hundred year old temple is one of the ancient heritage sites of India and is a representation of the religio-socio-cultural history of the Bastar region. Little is known about this shrine to much of India. The vast temple complex today is truly a standing monument to centuries of history and tradition. With its rich architectural and sculptural wealth and its vibrant festival traditions, Danteshwari Mai temple serves as the most important spiritual center for the people of this region.

It is believed that a tooth of Sati had fallen here and Danteshwari Shakti Pith was established. According to the ancient legend, Goddess Sati committed self-immolation in the fire pit of yagna kund, due to an insult committed by her father Daksha towards her consort Lord Shiva during the Yaga. Raged by the death of Sati, Lord Shiva destroyed the Yaga of Daksha and with the body of Sati in his hands started to do 'Taandav'.Lord Vishnu cut the dead body of Goddess Sati with his Sudarshan to free Lord Shiva from the grief caused by her death. Parts of the dead body of Goddess Sati were scattered to fifty-two different places, which were consecrated as Shakti Pithas.

The Danteshwari temple was built in the 14th Century by the Chalukya kings in South Indian style of temple architecture. The idol of Danteshwari Mai is chiseled out of black stone. The temple is divided into four parts such as Garbh Griha, Maha Mandap, Mukhya Mandap and Sabha Mandap. Garbha Griha and Maha Mandap were constructed with stone pieces. There is a Garud Pillar in front of the entrance of the temple. The temple itself is located in a spacious courtyard surrounded by massive walls. The shikhara is adorned with sculptural finery.

Chitrakot Waterfall is supposed to be the Niagara Falls of India. It is the broadest water fall in India. During Monsoon one can see its might. The River Indravati falls from a height of 29 m (96 ft) to form this waterfall. It is located 48 km (30 mi) from Jagdalpur and is accessible by road only. There is a helipad but it is used by government only. A few small hotels and restaurants are located near the falls.

Kailash and Kotumsar Caves are the caves which are about 2 km (1 mi) deep. They are situated at a distance of about 40 km (25 mi) from Jagdalpur. There is lack of oxygen when going deep into the cave. So, they have been restricted to a fixed point.

Tiratgarh Waterfalls are situated at a distance of 35 km. from Jagdalpur in south west direction and can be approached through the state highway of Jagdalpur to Sukma. The waterfall is actually situated in Kanger Valley National Park and the height is approximately 300 ft in stages. This place is a favorite picnic spot, especially for large groups looking for a day-long picnic in a forest. The good season for visiting these waterfalls is from October to February.

The Sri Venkateshwara Swamy Temple in Jagdalpur is a result of dedicated, loving and tireless efforts of members of Andhra Association. The temple reaches out to serve spiritual, cultural and social dimensions of the society. The construction of the Balaji temple in Jagdalpur has been a dream come true to many of the devotees who can now have a hassle free darshan of the Lord nearer home. Every day devotees throng this sacred shrine of Lord Balaji also known as Sri Venkateswara Swamy, the all-pervading Lord of the Universe.

Danteshwari Temple at Jagdalpur is an ancient temple built by the kings of Bastar for inhabiting there family Goddess, Devi Danteshwari. Devi Danteshwari is the Goddess of entire Bastar division, equally worshipped by Hindus as well as tribals. This temple is located beside Bastar palace and near to Gole Bazar.

It is worth seeing and pleasant to watch the temple during the famous Bustar Dusshera festival season, decorated in color lights and lambs, where the main traditional functions of the festivals are being carried out.

Bastar Palace is another historical remain that is seen in Jagdalpur. It was the head quarters of Bastar Kigdom. It was built by the rulers of Bastar State when the capital of Bastar kingdom had been shifted from Barsur to Jagdalpur. At present The royal Family of bastar state is residing there.

Anthropological Museum is located in the office of the Anthropological Survey of India situated at Dharampura. It provides a perfect window-view of the life-styles of various adivasi tribes in Bastar to a tourist hard-pressed for time.

Lakes There are two lakes namely Ganga Munda and Dalpat Sagar with in the boundary of Jagdalpur town. These lakes could become a great attraction for tourists coming to Bastar in the future.

Other Places Of Attraction There are a chain of waterfalls and many other tourist places in Bastar. The MANDAWA waterfalls is located 12 km away from Tokapal of Jagdalpur Tehsil. It is also a natural place of tourism. Another waterfall in Bastar district is CHITRADHARA, which is just 19 km away from Jagdalpur and is in Potanar village of Lohandiguda block of Jagdalpur Tehsil. THAMADA GHUMAR water fall is another recently discovered waterfall which is also in Lohandiguda block. Its height is more than 100 feet and is generally formed from the water in rainy season. There are green fields on both sides of this waterfall . Indravati National Park situated in Narainpur Tehsil is famous for tigers and wild buffaloes. It is situated 200 km. west of Jagdalpur. Also about 40 km. north west of Narainpur is the virgin Kurschel Valley, with its gigantic trees.

References

External links

* [http://www.blonnet.com/life/2004/03/08/stories/2004030800130300.htm The Business Line - Best of Bastar]
* [http://www.pbase.com/wietsej/image/52974812 Chitrakote Waterfall at pbase.com]
* [http://bastar.nic.in/ Bastar District Website]
* [http://www.chhattisgarhtourism.net/ Chhattisgarh Tourism Board Website]
* [http://chhattisgarh.nic.in/ Official Website Govt. of Chhattisgarh]