Exploring the Majestic Chitrakote Falls: A Comprehensive Guide

Chitrakote Falls is a spectacular waterfall located in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. This waterfall is the widest in India, spanning over 300 meters across the Indravati River. It is also known as the Mini Niagara Fall of India because of its horseshoe shape and immense volume of water.

Chitrakote Falls is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Chhattisgarh, attracting thousands of visitors every year. It is a sight to behold, especially during the monsoon season when the water level rises and creates a roaring sound that can be heard from miles away. The waterfall also produces a beautiful rainbow effect when the sun rays hit the water droplets.

In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to explore this majestic destination, including how to reach it, nearby attractions, local culture, accommodation options, and travel tips.

The Beauty of Chitrakote Falls

Photo of Chitrakote Falls 1/1 by — (c) Holidify.com

Chitrakote Falls is not just a waterfall, but a natural wonder that offers stunning views and exciting activities. Here are some of the reasons why you should visit this amazing place:

Description of the waterfall’s features:

Chitrakote Falls is formed by the Indravati River, which originates from the Eastern Ghats and flows through Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The river plunges down from a height of about 30 meters, creating a spectacular cascade that resembles a horseshoe. The waterfall is divided into several streams that create a misty atmosphere around it. The water is crystal clear and reflects different shades of green and blue depending on the season and time of the day.

Best times to visit for optimal views:

The best time to visit Chitrakote Falls is during the monsoon season, which lasts from July to October. During this time, the waterfall is at its peak, with a huge volume of water gushing down and creating a thunderous sound.

Unique aspects of the falls:

One of the most unique aspects of Chitrakote Falls is that it changes its appearance throughout the year. During the summer season, when the water level is low, you can see several rocks and islands emerging from the riverbed. You can also walk across some of these rocks and get closer to the waterfall. During the winter season, when the temperature drops, you can see icicles forming on the rocks and trees near the waterfall. You can also witness some rare birds and animals near the waterfall, such as peacocks, parrots, monkeys, deer, and crocodiles.

How to Reach Chitrakote Falls

Chitrakote Falls is located about 40 kilometers from Jagdalpur, which is the headquarters of Bastar district in Chhattisgarh. You can reach Jagdalpur by road, rail, or air from various cities in India. Here are some detailed directions on how to reach Chitrakote Falls:

By Road: Jagdalpur is well connected by road with major cities in Chhattisgarh, such as Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, and Bhilai. You can also reach Jagdalpur by road from neighboring states like Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. There are regular buses and taxis available from these places to Jagdalpur. From Jagdalpur, you can take a local bus or hire a cab to reach Chitrakote Falls. The road journey from Jagdalpur to Chitrakote Falls takes about an hour and passes through scenic landscapes and tribal villages.

By Rail: Jagdalpur has a railway station that is connected with major cities in India by trains. You can take a train from Raipur, Bilaspur, Durgapur, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, or Chennai to reach Jagdalpur. The train journey from Raipur to Jagdalpur takes 6 hours.

By Air: The nearest airport to Jagdalpur is Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur, which is about 300 kilometers away. You can take a flight from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, or Chennai to reach Raipur. The flight duration from Delhi to Raipur is 2 hours.

Nearby Attractions and Activities

Chitrakote Falls is not the only attraction in the area. Here are some of the nearby attractions and activities that you should not miss:

1. Kanger Valley National Park:

This is one of the most biodiverse national parks in India, spread over an area of 200 square kilometers. It is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including tigers, leopards, bears, deer, monkeys, snakes, birds, and butterflies. It also has some of the oldest and deepest caves in India, such as Kailash Cave and Kutumsar Cave. You can explore the park by taking a safari or a guided tour. The park is open from 8 am to 4 pm every day, except on Wednesdays. The entry fee is Rs. 25 per person for Indians and Rs. 200 per person for foreigners.

2. Kailash and Kutumsar Caves:

These are two of the most famous caves in Kanger Valley National Park. Kailash Cave is named after a natural formation that resembles a Shiva lingam. It is about 200 meters long and has several stalactites and stalagmites that create beautiful patterns on the walls and ceiling. Kutumsar Cave is one of the deepest caves in India, with a depth of about 100 meters. It has several chambers that are filled with water and have unique formations of calcium carbonate. You can visit these caves by taking a guided tour from the park entrance. The tour costs Rs. 50 per person for Indians and Rs. 100 per person for foreigners.

3. Other Nearby Attractions:

There are many other natural sites near Chitrakote Falls that are worth visiting, such as Tamra Ghoomar Waterfall, Mendri Ghoomar Waterfall, Tirathgarh Waterfall, Danteshwari Temple, Chitradhara Waterfall, Dalpat Sagar Lake, Bastar Palace, Anthropological Museum, and Tribal Haat. You can visit these places by hiring a cab or taking a local bus from Jagdalpur or Chitrakote Falls.

4. Adventure Activities:

If you are looking for some thrill and excitement, then you can indulge in some adventure activities near Chitrakote Falls. You can enjoy boating on the Indravati River, which will give you a closer view of the waterfall and its surroundings. You can also try rappelling down the waterfall or zip-lining across it. These activities are conducted by professional instructors who will ensure your safety and fun. You can book these activities from the tourism office near Chitrakote Falls or from your hotel.

Local Culture and Cuisine

One of the best ways to experience Chitrakote Falls is to immerse yourself in the local culture and cuisine of the region. The area around Chitrakote Falls is inhabited by various tribal communities, such as Gond, Maria, Muria, Halbaa, Bhatraa, Dhurva, etc. These tribes have their own traditions and customs that reflect their rich heritage and history.

You can learn more about their culture by visiting their villages or attending their festivals. Some of the festivals that are celebrated by these tribes are Bastar Dussehra (September/October), Goncha Festival (July), Madai Festival (December/January), etc. These festivals showcase their colourful costumes, dances, music, rituals, and crafts.

Accommodation Options

If you are planning to stay near Chitrakote Falls, you have plenty of options to choose from. There are hotels, resorts, and homestays that cater to different budgets and preferences. Some of the accommodation options that you can consider are Rainbow Resort, Bastar Jungle Resort and Chitrakote Heritage Homestay.

Chitrakote Falls is a natural wonder that offers stunning views and exciting activities. It is a perfect destination for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and culture enthusiasts. By following this comprehensive guide, you can plan your trip to Chitrakote Falls and explore its beauty and charm.

Also read: Chitrakote , A perfect escape for your weekend

So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and get ready to experience the mini Niagara Fall of India!

Chitrakote Falls Reviews

Mayuri R

987 Followers

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By the time we reached Jalgdalpur, it was getting dark already. We made a quick stop for a cup of tea and continued towards Chitrakote. As we were getting nearer to Dandami Resort by Chitrakote falls, it was getting darker and our mobile network started playing hide & seek and after a point completely disappeared. Sushanta said only Reliance network worked there. After sometime Sushanta pointed towards a light and said " That's chitrakote fall" We rolled down the car windows. We could hear the gurgling water. He stopped the car near the water fall. I wanted to get down. But P said " Let's check in first and then we will come back." Sushanta said the lights will remain on till 9 pm. It was only 7.30 pm. The Dandami Luxury Resort is the only option to stay at Chitrakote water fall. There we were welcomed with flower bouquets by Mr. Srivastava, senior tourist information officer and Mr. Thakur, the resort manager. All our tiredness from this long road journey disappeared by this warm welcome. They said that we were booked in Cottage no 1 and assured that we would love that. We came to our room to drop our things. The moment the lights were on and Raju, who showed us our room, turned the curtains away from the window, I and P were awestruck. We could see the fall straight from the room! We dropped our bags in the room and headed to the fall. It was a sight to behold. Chitrakote water fall was in it's full monsoon glory. We could have sat there the whole night. But the lights go off at 9 pm. So we returned to the resort reluctantly. Next day was my birthday. Both I & P woke up at 5.30am and headed to the fall. We wanted to catch the sunrise. There was no one and since the sky was cloudy, so there was no sunrise too. That did slightly disappoint us; but spending those absolute quiet morning at the Chitrakote fall just the two of us was priceless. Slowly people from nearby places started coming. First the temple priest came to have bath. Then few others. There were women and children too. I have to admit, I am used to being glared at as a woman. I have even seen male guests in 5 star hotels checking out women in the swimming pool. But there the so called " not so developed" part of the country, men & women were bathing together in the river and no one gave a damn.

Bhaskar Rao Jayanthi

66 Followers

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First time ever, I woke up to the first ring of the alarm from my phone. I was really curious to see these magnificent waterfalls. Woke up at 4 in the morning, got ready and went down to the cafe in the hotel to have some coffee. Both me and Trilok were really exited. After the coffee, we get to our bikes put the helmets and jackets. And as we look out of the hotel parking it's drizzling, our interest peaked even more. Started the engines and just stepped out of the hotel, and we did not stop till we reached the falls. The road was such buttery smooth, villages here and there but the road itself is a great reason to visit the falls. As soon as me see the falls, we stop our bikes get down and move towards them. Lo and behold, I have never seen such spectacular waterfalls, or anything this amazing ever. It was sheer beauty. The people, the boat men and everyone there were extra friendly and it actually felt like a second home. The pictures you see here, do not do justice to how we felt just being there. After spending a few more hours below the waterfalls, we had breakfast at a near by tourist hotel. And headed straight back to Jagdalpur, as we had to reach back vizag by the night at any cost.(Trilok had to attend office on Monday) . This trip had changed a lot in me, it made me more humble and also being so near to nature was a great experience.

Disha Kapkoti

16.4k Followers

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Skim through any mid-school geography books and Chitrakoot Falls finds a mention as the 'Niagara Falls of India'. Now what makes a distant waterfall in the Bastar District of Chattisgarh so desirable that it's named after one of the most stunning sites in the world? If there's a seed of curiosity in your head about this destination, let it grow. To help you discover Chitrakoot the right way, here's a short guide. All about Chitrakoot Falls Towards the west of Jagdalpur in the Bastar District of Chattisgarh, Indravati River takes a deep plunge from a horseshoe gorge in Chitrakoot. The majestic 95 feet drop of the river down the cliff makes this a sheer spectacle to behold. Around 38 kilometres away from Jagdalpur, Chitrakoot Falls unveil a powerful vision during the monsoons when the Indravati River floods. The otherwise meandering streams come together to unleash its power and completely cover the flat ground above the cliff. The sheer power of this 300 metre wide waterfall has led visitors to rightly coin a special term for this spot and we call it India's Niagara. Local boatsmen lead you to stunning sites near the spray below the waterfall to witness Chitrakoot Falls in full glory. The view of the waterfall at sunset and the changing hues around it is a sight to remember.

Bala Sanjay Kumar

49 Followers

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started in the early morning 4:00am from the hotel to deomali hills which took 35km from the hotel to reach the top of the hills at the time of 5:20am its late because of foggy foggy roads with zero visibility. on the eva of new year there are not allowing vehicales to the peak. we were waiting for the sunrise but its too late to rise, but the views of the hills and fogs were spectacular. we spent 2-3hours from there we were started for the next journey to chitrakote waterfalls arounds 205km from the top of the hills on the way we stopped for breakfast at sunabeda after the breakfast on the way, we broke the traffic signals in the town and the cops stopped us and fined 1k for breaking the rules and 30-45mins were wasted on the way and reached at 12:20pm and had some snacks near the falls, we had a amazing experience over there, but its not possible to visit another two big waterfalls near to the city name tirathagarh and teerathgarh waterfalls. from there we started at 16:05pm, its too late had our lunch at the evening in the city jagdalpur and reached our homes around 23:15pm on the way we had our dinner too

Subhrajyoti Parida

409 Followers

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Next destination was the Chitrakoot Falls, located about 65 kms from Tirathgarh Falls. It took about 1 hour from Tirathgarh Falls. The height of the falls is about 30 metres (98 ft) and is considered as the widest falls in India, about 300 metres (980 ft). Because of its width and wide spread during the monsoon season, it is often called the Niagara Falls of India. The falls is on Indravati River. The landscape was again awesome and against such a panoramic background, we took a lot of snap shots, trying to capture every instant of beauty of Mother Nature. Before winding up the trip, we did a hell of shopping at Jagdalpur market for local wooden articles and beautiful handicrafts.