The district of Raipur is situated in the fertile plains of
Chhattisgarh. It is surrounded by
Bilaspur District in the north,
Bastar District and part of
Orissa in the south,
Raigarh District in the east and the district of
Durg in the west. Raipur occupies the south-eastern part of the upper Mahanadi valley and the bordering hills in the south and the east. The total geographical area is 13,445 sq km.
The Mahanadi is the principal river. Gouri-Goura, Surti, Hareli, Pola and Teeja are the main festivals. Raut Nacha, Dewar Nacha, Panthi and Suwa, Padki and Pandwani are some of the musical styles and dances. Pandwani is a famous musical way of singing the Mahabharata in Raipur. Colorful dresses and variety of ornaments are 'spice of life' for women and men of this region. There are three wildlife sanctuaries, namely Barnawapara, Sita Nadi and Udanti. The major tourist destinations are Champaran, Sirpur, Turturiya, Rajim, Radha Krishna Temple, Chandi Temple, Ram Temple, and Swastik Vihar Monastery.
