Jagdalpur, headquarters of
Bastar District, is a developing town including the areas, Frijarpur, Hotakachor, Sargipal and Dharampura, less than 24 km in area. Having a mixed culture of various states, the city has people of different religions and castes living together in peace and harmony. The population is over a hundred thousand. The main attractions of the place are temples, waterfalls, a museum, palace and tribal handicraft.
Chitrakot Waterfalls, about 40 km from Jagdalpur, is nestled in the mountain rages of Vindhya. Tiratgarh Waterfalls, 38 km from the city, cascades 100 m down to the river Mugabahar in rainbow resplendence. Other cataracts in the region are Mandra Waterfalls, Chitradhara at Potanar, Tamada, and Dhoomar at Lohandiguda. Kutumsar and Kailash Caves, Dandak, Kanger Karpan and Devgiri are all natural caves in the region. The Kanger Valley National Park, with its wealth of myriad wildlife, is situated on the banks of river Kholaba which is about 27km from Jagdalpur. Another park on the banks of the Indravati River is the
Indravati National Park. The Bhairamgarh Sanctuary is famous for spotted deer.
The ancient Danteshwari Temple situated near Gole Bazaar, the main shopping area, is rich in architectural and sculptural wealth. Another holy site is the Sri Venkateshwara Swamy temple. Other important tourist attractions are the Jagdalpur palace built by Bastar kings, and the Anthropological Museum at Dharmapura. The city is also rich in handicraft products made by the tribals, such as wooden and bamboo crafts, terracota, bell metal and wrought iron curios, cotton fabrics (Kosa saree) and various paintings. The city provides transportation facilities by road and rail.
