Places to visit in Raipur

• Chattisgarh temples: Chhattisgarh tourism has plenty to offer to its tourists. With so many students slogging across so many educational campuses, prayers are in high supply, as are the temples. Start your day with a temple run. The Hatkeshwar Mahadev Mandir, an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, stands on the ghats of the Kharun river on the outskirts of Raipur. The architecture and the intricate carvings on the temple walls will give you enough reasons to linger. Also on the fringe of the city is the Kevalya Dham Jain temple. Back in the town, the Dudhadhari Temple complex, dedicated to Lord Rama and Hanuman, is another centuries-old site that somehow retains a sense of calm, despite being popular with locals and tourists. The genuinely devout can also brave the crowds to seek blessings at the Mahamaya Temple.
• Ramakrishna Mission: For a less religious, more spiritual experience, turn to the Ramakrishna Mission, Raipur, to learn about the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda.
• Buddha Talab: Nearby, the Buddha Talab or Vivekanand Sarovar is a popular hangout with a lovely clean lake, plaza, and boating facilities. The 37-ft-tall statue of Swami Vivekananda looks particularly spectacular under lights in the evening. It is said that he used to swim in this lake during his days in Raipur.
• Naya Raipur Central Park: Elsewhere, the Naya Raipur Central Park is another weekend recreation spot. With a large restaurant, play areas, amphitheatre and other facilities, it is an excellent place to take the kids.

High-end shopping/luxury shopping/shopping malls in Raipur

• Colors Mall
• RK Mall
• City Centre
• Magneto Mall

Street shopping in Raipur

There are many local markets in the city. Mahoba Bazar, Pandari Road are some of the famous shopping spots in Raipur from where you can buy various things. The place is home to one of the oldest tribal societies, which master the skill of creating handcrafted items from natural raw materials. There are various unique things that you should buy from Raipur.

• Handicrafts:This should be on the top of your shopping list. Buy dark metal figurines, Dokra statues, bell metal sculptures, fibre dolls, woodcrafts, and terracotta pots for gifts or souvenirs.
• Handloom products:You must include locally made Dhruva Saree from various handloom stores in Raipur, such as Togita Kosa handloom and Barlota Enterprises.
• Clothing products:Another particular item that you should pick up is colourful textiles. Ample textile shops are selling superior quality cotton at reasonable rates. You can check out several shops, including Bombay textiles, Satguru textiles, Basant textiles, amongst others.

Nightlife/party places in Raipur

• The Casablanca
• Funky Town
• Night Queen Bar
• Tapaz Bar
• Lava Bar and Restaurant
• Surya Bar

Wildlife reserves

Best admired from a safe distance, Raipur comprises many national parks and reserves. The closest among them is the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary, which has an impressive list of animals. Tigers, leopards, blackbuck, chinkara, antelopes, porcupines, this one’s worth checking out. If you want a more traditional safari experience, try the twin nature parks in Madhya Pradesh. Kanha National Park is about 180 km away, while Pench is further out at 320 km, but well worth the ride.

A park with science exhibits, horticultural exhibits and musical fountains, the Urja Park is where you can spend an evening or two. One of the exhibition rooms also has a beautiful display of Bastar culture, giving you a peek into Chhattisgarh’s tribal life.

The Risali Talab next door is where you can head out for a round of boating.

For another aqua adventure, drive two hours from Raipur to Madku Dweep, an island on the Shivnath River. Here, you will find well-preserved ruins of temples. Archaeologists have excavated coins, idols and artefacts from another time, pointing to a community and culture that was likely destroyed by a raging river. The river has now abated enough to allow you a peek at this fascinating site.

Places to visit near Raipur

Chitrakoot Falls

If an overnight adventure is what you’d like, the Chitrakoot Falls or Chitrakote Falls is a thundering spectacle. It is worth making the 280 km drive from Raipur to see this wonder. The Chitrakoot Falls are arguably the widest waterfalls in the country. That and the horseshoe shape has earned them the tag of ‘Niagara Falls of India’. The falls are perennial but are particularly awe-inspiring when the Indravati river is in full spate during the monsoon months of June-September.

Sirpur

Try Sirpur, approximately 80 km from the city. You can visit the Laxman Temple, one of the oldest surviving brick shrines in the country, built in the 7th century.

Hareli

Hareli is one of the prime festivals in the city of Raipur. It celebrated in July. The festivities include farmers putting leaves of the Bhelwa tree on their crops and praying for good harvest. People also hang neem twigs from their household doorframes to keep away seasonal diseases.

Gouri Goura

Gouri Goura is another significant festival in Raipur that is rejoiced in August with great enthusiasm. The celebrations take place in over six days, and the festival commemorates the marriage of the Goddess Parvati to Lord Shiva.