Located on National Highway 43, Kanker is between Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh (140 km away) and Jagdalpur (160 km away). It finds mention in the Ramayana and Mahabharata, as part of the dense forest area named Dandakaranya. In the 6th century BC the region was a center for Buddhism. From 106 AD onwards to 1100 AD, it was ruled by the Satvahanas, Nags, Vakataks, Gupt, Nal and Chalukya dynasties. At one point, the kingdom extended to the area that forms the modern-day states of Orissa and Maharashtra. Kanker is full of small hilly pockets. 5 rivers run through it - Doodh, Mahanadi, Hatkul, Sindur and Turu.
Gadiya Mountain
A natural form of a fort, this mountain has a tank that never dries. The tank is named Sonai-Rupai after the daughters of the Kandra king, Dharma Dev, who established his capital on the mountain. To the south of the tank is a cave, Churi Pagar, which provided safe refuge to the King, his family and 500 people in case of attack. Towards the southeast part of the mountain is a 50 meter long cave, Jogi Cave, where monks used to meditate. A small pond in this cave flows over the rocks like a waterfall. The Doodh river flows at the bottom of the mountain. Thousands of devotees celebrate Mahashivratri by climbing this mountain.
A natural form of a fort, this mountain has a tank that never dries. The tank is named Sonai-Rupai after the daughters of the Kandra king, Dharma Dev, who established his capital on the mountain. To the south of the tank is a cave, Churi Pagar, which provided safe refuge to the King, his family and 500 people in case of attack. Towards the southeast part of the mountain is a 50 meter long cave, Jogi Cave, where monks used to meditate. A small pond in this cave flows over the rocks like a waterfall. The Doodh river flows at the bottom of the mountain. Thousands of devotees celebrate Mahashivratri by climbing this mountain.
Malanjhkudum Waterfalls These 3 falls, 10, 15 and 9 meters in height, 15 km from Kanker, on the Doodh river, make for a superb picnic spot. There is a road to the falls.
Charre-Marre Waterfall A 16 meter high, zig zag waterfall on the Jogi river, 17 km from Antagarh, on the way to Aamabera.
Shivani Temple This temple has one of just 2 statues in the world that is half Goddess Kali and half Goddess Durga. The other one is in Kolkata. The Navarathri festival is celebrated enthusiastically in this temple.
Madai Festival
This tribal festival is celebrated by the tribes of Kanker and Bastar regions, to worship the local God(dess). It travels through the Kanker, Bastar and Dantewada regions from December to March each year.
In December, celebrations start in Bastar to honour the goddess Kesharpal Kesharpalin Devi. In January, the people of Kanker, Charama and Kurna celebrate the festival. In February the festival goes back to Bastar and Cheri-Chher-Kin is honoured this time. Towards the end of February, the festival goes to Antagarh, Narayanpur and Bhanupratappur. In March it goes to Kondagaon, Keshkal and Bhopalpattanam.
It is held in a big ground, so that thousands of people can attend the ceremony, which starts with a procession of the local God(dess), followed by worhip of the same, culminating in cultural programs, dancing and lots of good food.
This tribal festival is celebrated by the tribes of Kanker and Bastar regions, to worship the local God(dess). It travels through the Kanker, Bastar and Dantewada regions from December to March each year.
In December, celebrations start in Bastar to honour the goddess Kesharpal Kesharpalin Devi. In January, the people of Kanker, Charama and Kurna celebrate the festival. In February the festival goes back to Bastar and Cheri-Chher-Kin is honoured this time. Towards the end of February, the festival goes to Antagarh, Narayanpur and Bhanupratappur. In March it goes to Kondagaon, Keshkal and Bhopalpattanam.
It is held in a big ground, so that thousands of people can attend the ceremony, which starts with a procession of the local God(dess), followed by worhip of the same, culminating in cultural programs, dancing and lots of good food.
Handicrafts Kanker's tribes are known for their handicrafts
- wooden items made from the finest teak and white wood, including furniture, carvings, idols, wall panels
- bell-metal items
- terracota items
- bamboo items, including wall hangings, table lamps, table mats
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