Capital city of
Chhattisgarh, Raipur lies in the center of the state and is a fast developing industrial center. Founded in 14th century by Kalchuri King Ramchandra, the city got its name after the king's son Brahmdeo Rai. Raipur is 560 km northwest of
Bhubaneswar.
Mahanadi River flows through the eastern side of Raipur and thick forests cover the southern area. The major places to visit are Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum, Mahakoshal Art Gallery, Maharajabandh Lake, Mathpurena and Budhapara Lake. Other pilgrim centers are Budheshwar Temple, Virenchi Temple, Brahma Temple, Mahamaya Temple and Samlai Temple. Raipur is also the seat of Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University.
The National Highway 6 passes through Raipur and direct buses are available to Sambalpur, Puri and other major cities and towns. City buses, private taxis, rickshaws, and tongas ply within the city. The airport at Raipur has flights to New Delhi, Bhubaneswar, Bhopal and Jabalpur. Raipur Junction Railway Station is an important station of South East Railways on the Mumbai-Nagpur-Kolkata line.
