Surguja Attractions - Tourist Places To Visit In Surguja

Mahamaya Temple is one of the ancient and renowned pilgrimage sites of Surguja. It is located at Devipur which is 4 km from Surajpur. Devotees from every corner of the nation are found here and therefore it has grown to be one of the important attractions of the state. During Navratri local inhabitants celebrate by organizing a mela.

People here have immense faith on Mahamaya Devi and so they celebrate this auspicious occasion with lots of zest and enthusiasm. People from other states are specially seen thronging here during this festival. Bhakt Mandali of Surajpur has arranged free bus service for the devotees till Devipur.

It is regularly available. Public authorities and local residents are taking further initiative to make this attraction more popular amongst tourists. Shyam Baba Temple is another religious site at Surajpur where a huge mela is organized on Lord Shyama's birthday. People all over from Surguja attend this event.

Ambikapur is the headquarter of Surguja district and was once the capital of the princely state of Gujarat under the reign of the British. Ambikapur is named after Goddess Ambika or Mahamaya Devi, which is the centre of attraction of this place.

It is constructed by a hill which adds beauty to the temple. Mainpat is a scenic hill station and is known as Shimla of Chhattisgarh. It is 45 km from Ambikapur and takes more than one hour. Tiger Point waterfall situated at Mainpat is breathtaking.

The Buddha Temple is another attraction which is a religious place for Tibetians. Small industries of carpet and woollen clothes are run by them. These Tibetians are followers of Dalai Lama and have developed serene atmosphere all through Mainpat.

Deogarh is another pilgrimage attraction of Ambikapur tehsil. Ambikapur also nestles other temples like Shivpur Shiv Temple. It is 49k m from Ambikapur. It is highly crowded during Maha Shivratri and Basant Panchami.

Kailash Caves are 60 km from Ambikapur. Saint Rameshwar Gahira Guruji created these caves. There is a temple of Lord Shiva-Parvati apart from temples of other gods and goddesses. Yagya Mandap, Sanskrit school, Gahira Guru ashram are some other attractions of Kailash Caves.

Ramgarh lies at the peak of a high hill. It lies on the east of the road that runs between Allahabad and Rameshwaram. It rises from Rampur Tappa of Gujarat district. Ambikapur is a storehouse of bauxite and paddy crops, apart from various forest products.

It is well connected by railways and roadways all through the state. Buses are readily available from Bilaspur. Though Ambikapur has no airport of its own, Darima airstrip is located at a distance of 12 km.

Deogarh is 51 km from Ambikapur and 93 km from Surajpur. Situated on the bank of river Rihand, Deogarh is a religious site for the Hindus. There is a temple of Lord Shiva or Baba Bholenath. Baba Bholenath is one of the “jyotirlingas” in India.

During Shivratri, a huge fair takes place organized by various groups dedicated to the service of the temple. This occasion is considered one of the most sacred festivals among Hindus. People from different states are found gathering here on this auspicious occasion.

Devotees from Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Orissa and Maharastra start their journey from Gayatri Mandir situated on the bank of river Rihand. They take a holy dip and carry sacred water to pour on the Shivalinga. Jagrans and bhajans are sung throughout the night before Shivaratri. Other than being a religious site, Deogarh also has splendid scenic beauty.

The bank of river Rihand is quite peaceful and a treat to the eyes. Deogarh is also known as Deoria as there are many temples scattered all over the place. Each mound formed out of debris has a deity and is worth a visit. The archaeology of Gauri-Shankar temple reflects the contemporary style of that period.

Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary in Surguja district borders Uttar Pradesh. The name of the sanctuary is derived from Tamor Hill and Pingla Nalla. They are ancient and significant features of this area. Moran river flows through this sanctuary and drains into Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar reservoir in Uttar Pradesh.

It is 100km from Ambikapur and 35 km north of Surajpur. Sprawling over an area of 608.55 sq km the sanctuary houses innumerable species of trees and wildlife. Pimpri is the closest railway station. The area lacks proper communication.

Ghui and Biharpur ranges come under the South Surguja Forest Division. Mixed deciduous forests dominate the sanctuary. Sal and bamboo forests are seen all through. Tigers, leopards, bears, sambar deer, blue bulls, chital, bison and many such animals are found here.

A variety of birds and reptiles are also seen in this region. November to June is the best time to explore this sanctuary. Ranchi in Jharkhand and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh are the closest airports. Surajpur is the closest railway station. Tourists and researchers can halt at Ramkola or Ambikapur.

Kudargarh is one of the pilgrim centres of Surguja. Situated 82 km from Ambikapur, this place is well connected by roadways. During the month of April, Chaitra Navaratna is celebrated here. It is the best time to visit this place. An idol of Goddess Kudargarhi is worshiped here. The deity here is famous for desirous demand. With fulfillment of desire devotees offer goats to the Goddess.

A small hole of diameter of 6 inches never gets filled up even after thousands of goats are sacrificed. People from every corner of the nation are seen here. The temple is also known as Maa Bagheshwari Devi Temple. It is perched on the top of a hill. The temple is said to be constructed by Baland Kings who were the rulers of Koriya in the 17th century.

Chhattisgarh in ancient days was famous as Dakshin Koshal whose mention is found both in Ramayana and Mahabharata. It has time and again been ruled by several Hindu rulers who had constructed temples all over the state. Surguja is one such place which is visited for various temples.

Deepadih in Surguja is 70 km from district headquarter Ambikapur. It is situated in Samri Tahsil and is connected by Kutchha road. It nestles a Shankar Temple which is surrounded by four other Gods. Lord Vishnu, Lord Kartikeya, Lord Ganesha and Goddess Maha Durga surround him.

All the three lords are considered to be different forms of Lord Shiva. They are there to serve and protect him. There are also some ruined temples and tanks which throw light on the Dravidian monarch of that period.

There is a huge stone figure which is considered to be the monarch, Samni Singh. Mahisa Mardini's artistic figure is found in one of the ruined temples. Sculptures of various Gods and Goddesses along with different emblems are inscribed on the pillars. Towards the East, a huge Nandi idol has been excavated. Some stones with Bhumra art were also excavated.

Semarsot Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at a distance of 50 km from Ambikapur, the headquarter of Surguja district. Located on the Ambikapur- Daltongunj road, it sprawls over an area of 430.36 sq km. Jainagar is the closest railway station while Varanasi is the nearest airport at a distance of 31 km.

The sanctuary is located by the Ramgarh Hills. It shares its border with Bihar. The Tropic of Cancer is found passing through this area. Mixed deciduous trees reign the sanctuary. Sal trees are mostly found here. Riverine forest is another species of trees found here.

Nilgai, chital, sambar, chinkara, wild boar, fox and jungle cat are some of the wildlife species of Semarsot Wildlife Sanctuary. January to May is the ideal time to explore the sanctuary. Semarsot is the closest town at a distance of 50 km. Tourists can find comfortable accommodations at Ambikapur.