Posted 30 November 2022 in Winter Wandering

Travelling to Raipur this winter season? Here’s everything to do

The capital of Chhattisgarh and also the biggest city in the state, Raipur is the most popular tourist attraction in Chhattisgarh. A city that has been in existence since the emergence of the Mauryan Empire, has a lot to provide to its visitors whether it be history, scenic beauty, or some mouth-watering food. It is situated in the Chhattisgarh plain and the Mahanadi River borders it on the east. Raipur city features temples that go back to the 15th century, spectacular lakes and extremely hospitable people.

Raipur has witnessed extraordinary industrial growth during the last decade, transforming it into a major business hub in central India. Raipur was ranked as India’s 6th cleanest city by ‘Swachh Survekshan’ for the year 2021.

The summer season in Raipur is generally a little warm and exhausting. On the other hand, during the winters, which last from November to February, the temperature may drop to a minimum of 5℃. A very comfortable temperature, apt for sightseeing, makes Raipur the go-to place in India during the winter season. Hence, in this article, we will present you with all the details as to why you should pack your bags for Raipur this winter.

Tourist Spots to explore

As stated in the folktales, Raipur was established by King Ramachandra and then he went on to establish it as the capital of his kingdom. Having witnessed the rise and downfall of various dynasties and rulers, a few popular tourist spots are discussed below:-

1. Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum

Stretching over a land of approximately two hectares, Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum is one of the prime attractions in the city. The museum was built in 1875 by Raja Mahant Ghasidas of Rajnandgon. It was built to ensure that future generations are informed about the heritage and culture that this city has to offer. The structure has been built using a traditional British architecture style. The Museum boasts two floors, a quaint library and five galleries.

Timings: It is open to the public throughout the winter season on all days except Mondays. The doors of the Museum remain open from 9 am to 6 pm.

2. Mahamaya Temple

The Mahamaya Temple, situated right on the banks of the Kharun River, is dedicated to Devi Mahamaya, a form of Maa Durga. According to folklore, the idol of Mahamaya is presumed to have both the mysticism of both Lord Shiva and Vishnu, thus making it highly revered by the believers of the Shakti and Vishnu clan. Two very famous tourist spots – Kho Kho Lake and Budhapara Lake are located in close proximity to the temple.

Timings: The temple can be visited all throughout November to February, which is the perfect time for devotees to visit.

3. Hajra Waterfall

The Hajra Waterfalls situated in Dongargarh is bordered by beautiful mountains, lush greenery, and a thick and spectacular forest. For any nature lover, this waterfall that stands tall at 46 m, is a wonderful experience to view the spectacular vision of nature.

Timing: The waterfall can be explored from Monday to Friday. It is open from 7 am to 7 pm.

4. Budhapara Lake

If folklore is to be trusted, the lake was constructed by King Brahmadei in the late part

of the 14th century or early part of the 15th century. The scenic beauty that Budhapara Lake has to offer, has made it one of the most beautiful picnic spots for tourists and locals alike. Activities such as swimming, jogging, fishing and boating are readily available. The Chhattisgarh government has spent a major amount of time and money on the beautification of the lake.

5. Doodhadhari Monastery and Temple

A pilgrimage site for the devotees of Hinduism, it is believed to have been constructed for Lord Rama. It is situated along the Maharaja Bandh River’s banks, in the southern part of Raipur. It is inscribed with beautiful carvings that attract even the non-devotees. According to folklore, the temple has been denominated after a saint named Balbhadra Das, who consumed only milk throughout his lifetime.

6. Nandanvan Garden

The garden situated across the spectacular Khaaroon River boasts both a beautiful garden and a zoo. The zoo features several animals such as lions, tigers, panthers and deers. The Nandanvan Garden also houses a vast plethora of flora and fauna and provides peace and rejuvenation to anyone who wants a break from the monotonous city life.

Timings: The garden is open all throughout the week from 9 am to 5 pm.

7. Vivekanand Sarovar

The Vivekanand Sarovar, also called the Budha Talab, is located in the heart of Raipur. It is believed by the locals that the famous 18th-century philosopher and reformist Swami Vivekananda had spent a substantial part of his life in Raipur. The Sarovar also features a 37-feet high statue of Swami Vivekananda. The Sarovar promises to offer its visitors tranquillity, recreational activities and makes them acquainted with the rich history of the place.

8. Kevalya Dham

The Dham is a place of great importance for the Jain devotees. The temple has been built using white marble and the temple arena consists of a total of 26 temples. The temples feature the idols of the 24 Thirthankars. The Kevalya Dham is a revered place for the Jain devotees and architectural buffs.

These are a few of the reasons and destinations to answer your question of why spend the chilly season in Raipur.

Food to eat while visiting Raipur

The roadside food of Raipur and the traditional Chhattisgarh cuisine, can not be missed while visiting Raipur. We bring to you a few mouth-watering delicacies that one must not forget to taste when in Raipur:-

Iddhar: This dish is cooked with kochai patta and urad dal. They are positioned in consecutive layers. Following this, they are cooked in steam. Lastly, it is sliced into pieces and prepared in curd.
Cheela: This dish resembles a dosa. It is prepared with rice batter.
Petha:An extremely popular delicacy of Raipur, this is found in almost every sweet shop around the city.
Bore basi: This is cooked with the rice from the last meal. Finally, it is submerged in water or buttermilk or curd.
Phara: It is made with rice flour. Phara is often savoured along with chutney made of chilli and tomato.

The alleys of Raipur are lined with chaat, kachori, poha and samosa sellers. One must remember to taste these street delicacies.

Tips to Keep in Mind while Travelling to Raipur

If you wish to visit Raipur, then the winter season will probably be the correct time to visit the season.
Though the temperature in winter ranges between 14℃and 28℃, it can drop to 5℃ at times. Thus, it is advisable to carry a good set of warm clothes.
Having traditional cuisine is a must when one visits Raipur. Lal Bhaji, Kochai pata, chech bhaji, cholai bhaja, etc. are a few of the delicacies that one should relish in Raipur.
A little study regarding the past of such a cultural and traditional city will assist the tourists to know more about the historic forts and temples that the city has to offer.
Bookings should be made in advance to elude the hike in the price of the tickets when there is no time to spare.
One must not forget their swimming trunks and costumes if they are planning to visit the lakes.

How to get to Raipur?

Raipur is a city that can even be visited by tourists who are from far-off places. It is connected by flight, roadway and train quite well. The various methods and options to reach the city are discussed below:

By Air: Raipur boasts the Swami Vivekananda International Airport. The airport is well connected with various metropolitan cities of India like Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, etc. IndiGo has direct flights to Raipur from Bombay, Hyderabad, Delhi and Kolkata.
By Train: The Raipur Junction Railway Station is perhaps the most prominent railway station on the Howrah-Nagpur-Mumbai line. It connects Raipur to the railway stations of Kolkata, Mumbai, Bhubaneswar and Bhopal.
By Road: National Highway 26 (NH 26) connects Raipur and goes through Odisha to join with Rajapulova in Andhra Pradesh. Sri Balaji Swami Trust Sri Dudhadhari Math Inter State Bus Terminal, located in the Raven Bath area, is the biggest bus station in the entire Eastern and Central part of India. It caters to passengers from adjoining places such as Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, etc.

Weather

Raipur can be quite warm and exhausting during the summers. Temperatures can go as high as 48℃, as it is situated in central India.
Raipur witnesses an incessant amount of rain in the months of June, July, August and September.
The wet monsoon is followed by a dry spell. The months of November to February have very pleasant weather and this attracts many tourists to the city during the chilly season.

The Bottom Line

Winter is around the corner and this is the time to head towards Raipur. The city can provide a lot to tourists and devotees alike. The moderate temperature, spectacular lakes, wonderful delicacies, rich history – make it the perfect winter getaway plan. Keep the itinerary in mind, as you prepare for your trip to Raipur this winter.