The Union Tourism Ministry has included Chhattisgarh among the top 10 ‘tourist attractive’ states of India, officials said. As per the official figures, 2.28 crore tourists visited Chhattisgarh during 2013.
As far as tourism is concerned, Chhattisgarh is blessed with sanctuaries, remains of river-valley civilization, archaeologically important monuments, rivers, waterfalls, rivulets, mountains, lakes, wildlife, religious places, vegetation and bio-diversity, cultural heritage, different kinds of festivals, including 75-day long famous Dussehra and Rajim Kumbh organised annually are worth viewable. The traditional tribal metal sculpture and Kosa silk prepared from Mahin thread are world famous.
The nature has also a special affection for Chhattisgarh. Kaushalya, the mother of lord Ram and daughter of King Bhanumant of Dakshin Kosal, was born in this blessed land. The birthplace of lord Ram, Dakshin Kosal of Chhattisgarh, situated in the lap of nature, on the one hand has rivers like Chitrotpala Ganga mentioned in the scripture, Mahanadi, Shivnath, Indravati, Hasdeo, Arpa, Pairry, Sondhur, Maniyari, Mahan, Haff, leelagar, Dankini and Shankhini and on the other has waterfalls like Chitrakot and Teerathgarh.
Along with religious tourism, Chhattisgarh has various places of adventure tourism. As Vaishnav areas, there are Padmavati Nagari Rajim, Shivarinarayan and religious places Danteshwari Mandir Dantewada, Mahamaya Ratanpur Bambleshwari Dongargarh, Khallari Mai Khallari, Mahasamund Mahamaya Ambikapur etc.
In the form of Shaiv religious places, there are Rajim Panchkoshi, Kuleshwar, Pateshwar, Champeshwar, Brahmaneshwar, Kupeshwar, Phanikeshwar, mammoth natural Shivling Bhuteshwarnath, Gariyaband, Budhamahadev Ratanpur, Devgarh and Sarguja etc.
Moving on Dakshinpath road of Ramayan era, the visitors could see various religious places in the present era also. About 44 per cent land of Chhattisgarh is covered by forest, where, along with different kinds of forest wealth and wildlife bio-diversity could also be seen.
For the protection of wildlife and the forests, there is Guru Ghasidas National Park in Indravati, Kanger and sanctuaries such as Achanakmar, Badalkhol, Barnvapara, Semarsot, Sitanadi, Tomar Pingla, Bhairavgarh, Bhoramdev, Gomdra, Pamed and Udanti. Indira Garden, Kanan Pendari, Maitri Bagh, Nandan Van Raipur zoos and Kotmi Sonar Crocodile Park in the State make tourism interesting. The forests of Chhattisgarh are like heaven.