Dongargarh is the main tourist as well as pilgrimage of the district. The famous temple of MAA BAMLESHWARI is on a hilltop of 1600 feet in the town of Dongargarh. This temple is referred as BADI BAMLESHWARI. Another temple at ground level is situated about 1/2 kms. from the main temple complex. This temple is referred as CHHOTI BAMLESHWARI. Lakhs of people from in and around Chhattisgarh flock the shrine during the Navratras of Kavar (during Dusshera) and Chaitra (during Ramnavmi). During these Navratras melas (fair) are organized in the premises of the temple, which run 24 hours. Many companies and organizations display their product during this mela. The added tourist attraction is the ropeway. It is the only passenger ropeway in the state of Chhattisgarh.
This ancient temple is at the confluence of the Dakini and Shankini rivers, about one and a half hours from Jagdalpur. It was built by the Chalukya kings of Bastar in honor of their family Goddess, Devi Danteshwari, who is venerated by both Hindus and tribals in the entire Bastar region. The temple is divided into four parts – Garbh Griha, Maha Mandap, Mukhya Mandap and Sabha Mandap. The first two are constructed using stone. The temple itself has been constructed at various times, but the sanctum sanctorum is believed to be more than 800 years old. A Garuda Pillar has been erected in front of the temple entrance. The Danteshwari Temple really comes to life during the Bastar Dussehra festival season. Men have to wear a lungi to enter the temple.
Mahamaya Devi. Situated at 25 km away from the city of Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh) on the Bilaspur-Ambikapur state highway, the Mandir and the relics of scores of ancillary temples, domes, palaces and forts, now rundown by the time and natural forces – seem to tell a story. Once the capital of the Kalchuri kings, Ratanpur has almost a millennium of history.
Bhoramdeo Temple, or the ‘Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh’, carved on the rocky stones in the Nagar style is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated in the Kabirdham district of Chhattisgarh, This temple was built in the period of 7th to 11th century A.D and is beautifully located amidst mountain ranges. The temples are said to be built by King Ramchandra of the Nag Dynasty. The Shiva Linga in the temple is wonderfully carved and the artistic appeal beckons the visitors. The Bhoramdeo temple has a resemblance with the Sun temple of Konark and The Khajuraho temple.
Sirpur is an interesting site. The Laxman Temple here, believed to have been built in the 7 th century, is one of the finest brick temples in India, in good condition, and characterized by exquisite carvings and precise construction. The Archaeological Survey of India has established a museum in the temple premises, which houses a collection of rare statues and other relics significant to the Shaiva, Vaishnava, Buddhist and Jain faiths.
Down the road is the Gondeshwar Temple, situated on the banks of the Mahanadi river. This Shiva temple was built using the architectural remains of ancient temples and vihars . The effect is quite artistic. Various pictures of ‘Shiva-Leela’ adorn the top of the entrance. Inside there is a statue of Buddha touching the earth, as well as statues of Nataraja, Shiva, Varaha, Garud Narayan, and Mahishasur Mardini.
Located on the banks of the Indrāvati River, about 75 km (a one and a half to two hour drive) to the south west of Jagdalpur, Barsur was once an epicenter of Hindu civilization. It is believed that there were once 147 temples and an equal number of ponds here. The ruins of these temples, dating back to the 10th and 11th centuries (i.e. over 1,000 years old) can be seen even today. Some beautiful images of Lord Vishnu can also be seen. One Shiva temple, with 12 carved stone pillars, has nude figures on the outside. Another Shiva temple has 32 carved stone pillars, a black granite Nandi (Shiva’s carrier) bull, and two sanctum sanctorum with a common court. A 50 foot high temple, known locally as Mama-bhanja-ka-mandir (temple of the maternal uncle and nephew), is in good condition, but lacks an idol. It is not clear to which deity the temple was consecrated, or even if it was ever consecrated. The biggest attraction though, is the Ganesha Temple. While the temple itself is in ruins, two sandstone images of Ganesh, both in the aspect of Maha-Ganapati, are amazingly intact. The larger of these, and the more impressive, is about 8 feet high and over 17 feet wide.
Rajim is famous for its rich cultural heritage and the beautiful ancient temples. The holy confluence of three rivers Mahanadi (Chitrotpala), Pairi and Sondur, called Triveni Sangam is at Rajim. Rajim is also known as the "Prayag" of the Chhattisgarh.
Located about 135 km from Raipur, Girodhpuri is a pilgrim center in Raipur District of Chhattisgarh. This is birthplace of great satnami saint, Sant Shiromani Guru Ghasidas, who fought against social evils and advocated social equality and development. Every year in the month of Feb-march (5-7th of moon night of the falgun month of Vikram samvat) a very big fair is organized. This is in Baloda Bazaar district of Chhattisgarh.
Damakheda is a Religious and center place of Kabir Panth. Many kabirpanthi came on here in Magh mela and other Festival who belong on Damakheda. All over India and abroad kabirpanthi arrived here with family and joy with Bhajan-kirtan (sahib kabir songs). In present time sit in vansh gaddi – Panth shri huzur Prakash muni naam saheb (15th acharya of kabir panth). The holy place witness the Samadhi Mandir of great Sadguru’s.
This 11 th century Vaishnava temple was built by the kings of the Hayhay dynasty on the banks of the Mahanadi river, at Shivrinarayan Nagar. It is believed that Shabri Ashram, mentioned in the epic Ramayana, was located here. During Magh Purnima a fair is organized here.
Pragya Giri is at Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon district, Chhattisgarh, India. It is on a hilltop of 1000 feet. This is a Buddha vihara with a big Buddha statue facing east. It needs 225 steps to reach the mountain. On the top of the hill there is a garden and descriptions on the rock.