Bilaspur Tourist Places (बिलासपुर पर्यटक स्थल)

1. Ratanpur, Bilaspur (रतनपुर, बिलासपुर)

Ratanpur is a town located about 25 km from Bilaspur City on NH-200 towards Ambikapur. This city was founded by King Ratnadev and was previously named Ratnapur. It was the capital of the Kalchuri Dynasty in 1000 AD and remained an important place for several centuries. The restoration work of the Ratanpur Fort has been completed by the Archaeological Survey of India, whose findings have been put on the National Archaeological Map.

King Ratnadev built the Mahamaya Temple here, which has a dual idol of Goddesses Saraswati and Laxmi. This temple is recognised as a Sidh Peeth and is the most popular religious place in Chattisgarh. Tourists from different parts of the country visit this temple year-round to offer prayers and seek blessings. Several new temples, dedicated to different Gods and Goddesses have been built in the campus of the Mahamaya Temple.

Navratri is celebrated with great zeal at the temple, during which many tourists visit this temple to offer prayers and light the jyoti. Fairs are organised here during this period, which are quite popular with the tourists.

3. Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctury, Bilaspur (अचानकमार वन्यजीव अभयारण्य, बिलासपुर)

Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1975 under the Wildlife Protection Act. This dense forest, which spreads over an area of 555 sq. km, is about 40 km from Bilaspur City. This sanctuary houses wild animals including tiger, leopard, chital, sambar, bear and various other animals.

Several watch towers are erected at different places inside this sanctuary, from where tourists can clearly see the wild animals roaming in their natural habitat. From Bilaspur, tour for this jungle is organised by the forest department. Tourists can also use their own vehicles to tour the jungle.

Guides are provided by the forest department to ensure that tourists do not get lost inside the sanctuary. These guides are available at the check post in Achanakmar and Lamni. Keeping in view the needs of tourists, the forest department have setup several rest houses inside the sanctuary. An herbal cultivation centre is also setup by the department near Lamni.

4. Talagaon, Bilaspur (बिलासपुर)

Talagaon, a small village on the banks of Maniyari River, is located at a distance of 30 km from Bilaspur City. This village gained popularity after the excavation of the Deorani-Jethani Temple. This mandir is more than 1500 years old and houses a statue of Rudrashiv, which is still in excellent condition. The statue has a unique assembly of various animals, snakes and insects. Many human faces are designed on the different parts of the body.

The temple walls are decorated with carvings and statues, which depict the stories of Lord Shiva. At the entrance of this temple, tourists can find artistic statues of several deities. Recently, a beautiful park has been developed around the temple, which adds to the beauty of the attraction. New carvings have been made on the walls of the temple, along the river bank.

5. Malhar, Bilaspur (बिलासपुर)

It is famous for it's archeological importance. It is situated at 40 km. by road from

Bilaspur. In Malhar, so many ancient temples have been found by extraction such as Pataleshwar temple, Devri temple & Dindeshwari temple. Four handed idol of Lord Vishnu is also very famous. Malhar has a museum also.

(Saravpur) Once open a time the Saravpur was the Capital of ancient Chhattishgarh. It is approximately 14 Km. away from Masturi block on the route of Bilaspur- Raigarh. At this place remains have been found of the period dated approx. 1000 BC. The temples of 10th and 11th century can also be seen here. Among these Pataleshwar Kedar temple is one of them where Gaumukhi Shiv ling is the main site of attraction. The Didneswari temple is also present here. Artistic idols can be seen in Deor temple. At this place, there is museum having good collection of old sculpture being managed by Central Govt.

Mode of Transportation : By road from Bilaspur.