Ambikapur, India

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Ambikapur | type = city | latd = 23.12 | longd = 83.2
locator_position = right | state_name = Chhattisgarh
district = Surguja
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altitude = 603
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 65,999| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
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sex_ratio =
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Ambikapur is a small census town in the Surguja district of the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. It is the District headquarters of Surguja district, the largest district of Chhattisgarh.

Geography

Ambikapur is located at coord|23|12|N|83|2|E|. [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/37/Ambikapur.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Ambikapur] ] It has an average elevation of 603 metres (1978 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, [GR|India] Ambikapur had a population of 65,999. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Ambikapur has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 56% of the males and 44% of females literate. 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Geography

The district of Surguja is spread over an area of 22,237 km², and is rich in forests. Most of the terrain of the district is forested and hilly. Major tourist areas near Ambikapur are Ramgarh, Kudargarh, Dipadih (Ancient Sculptors), Rakasganda, Sitabengara, Tattapani (Hot water spring) and Semarsot, kailash gufaa (shivling in a cave and a big water fall)

Natural resources include Coal, Bauxite, forest products and paddy crops.

Ambikapur is inhabited by people from all over the country. Moderate weather and a serene environment make it an ideal place for settlement. Unlike the capital town, major district population comprises aboriginal population. Among these indigenous tribes are the Pandos and Korwas, who are still living in rural areas.

Transport

Via train

Kalinga Utkal Express, Hirakund Express (Sambalpur Express) and Chhatisgarh Sampark Kranti Express (Delhi to Durg) are the primary trains from Delhi that connect to Ambikapur. All these trains, except Kalinga Utkal Express( It strats from Hardwar) start from the "Hazarat Nizammuddin Railway station", Delhi - and to reach Ambikapur one has to leave the train at Anuppur railway station and can take the local connecting train [at 3.00 pm and 3.30 am IST] for Ambikapur for a further journey of 4 to 5 hours, or the bus service from Anuppur to Ambikapur can be used.

Alternate railway connecting stations are Bilaspur and Raipur (capital of Chhattisagrh) which are also connected to Ambikapur via bus routes. The bus journey from Bilaspur will take around 5 to 6 hours and from Raipur it will take around 8 to 10 hours.

Via flight

One can take flights from Delhi for Raipur and use the connecting bus service to Ambikapur.flights available for Raipur are on Indian Airlines and Alliance Air airlines.

Education

The town has a Post Graduation College, a Women's College and several public schools. IT education institutes are also established here.

Recent developments

Recently Ambikapur was connected by rail line to Bilaspur town. In the near future it is expected that trains will directly run from Ambikapur to Nagpur (Maharashtra).

Recently low-fare Airlines such as Air Deccan and Karma Airlines have shown interest in establishing air services in cities like Ambikapur, Bilaspur and Jagdalpur in collaboration with the Chhattisgarh State Government.

Tourism

Temple carvings and archaic ruins date the history of this place to the era before Christ (BC) period. According to the Hindu holy book Ramayana, Lord Rama had visited Surguja during his fourteen years of exile and a number of places here are named after him, his brother Lakshmana and wife Sita, including Ramgarh, Sita-Bhengra cave and Laxmangarh. Most of the local population is made up of the Pando and Korwa tribes, who regard themselves as descendants of the Pandavas andKauravas (the warring clans of the epic Mahabharata) respectively.

Jogimara Caves

Archaeologists describe the inscriptions on the walls of Jogimara caves as the world's first documented message of love. So far this claim has not been challenged. Though now faintly visible, the inscriptions speak volumes about the intensity of love between Sutnuka and Devdutta who, archaeologists believe, used to watch his beloved dance in the amphi theatre. The caves are believed to have been carved out in 2nd or 3rd century B.C. According to archaeologist, Dr. Hemu Yedu, the concept of `devadasi' could also have originated from here. The Sitabengra and adjoining Jogimara caves were made by cutting the Ramgarh hills or the ancient Ramgiri ranges. Lord Rama and Sita spent some time in this cave during their exile. "These are all faiths related to regional history," says Dr. Yedu. Rama and Sita did pass through these jungles while on their way to South, he adds. And yes, there is a possibility of Kalidasa having spent some time in the Ramgiri mountains while he was working on his `Meghdoot', written sometime between the 16th and 17th Century.

References