The Kanker’s economy is based on agriculture. This is the main work of tribes. Because the land is hilly and forested, trees must be cut and the land ploughed before the rainy season begins.

The land is planted with rice or other grains, in a agricultural practice called Marham or Dippa. After a year or two, the land is deserted and new land prepared for planting.

Rice is the main crop of area. However wheat, sugar cane, chana, Kodo, Moong, Tilli, bhutta is the also important crops along with many types of vegetables and fruits such as mangoes and bananas.

As of 2001 India census, Kanker had a population of 24,486. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Kanker has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 83%, and female literacy is 71%. In Kanker, 12% of the population is under 23 years of age!

Gadiya Mountain: A natural form of a fort, this mountain has a tank that never dries. The tank is named Sonai-Rupai after the daughters of the Kandra king, Dharma Dev, who established his capital on the mountain. To the south of the tank is a cave, Churi Pagar, which provided safe refuge to the King, his family and 500 people in case of attack. Towards the southeast part of the mountain is a 50 meter long cave, Jogi Cave, where monks used to meditate. A small pond in this cave flows over the rocks like a waterfall. The Doodh River flows at the bottom of the mountain. Thousands of devotees celebrate Mahashivratri by climbing this mountain.

Malanjhkudum Waterfalls: Towards South direction and 15 kilometers away form Kanker, there is a small mountain. On this mountain there is a spot named Neele Gondi from where the Doodh River takes its shape. After crossing the 10 kilometers length of mountaineer path there is a place named as Malanjhkudum from where the river produces three water falls, the heights of these 3 falls, 10, 15 and 9 meters in height, 15 km from Kanker, on the Doodh River, make for a superb picnic spot. There is a road to the falls. The waves of this water fall are very attractive and challenging. This spot is very good for traveling. This water fall is very popular in students, teachers, leaders and artists and officers. This is an ideal place for picnic. The road is available to reach this spot. (more…)

The History of kanker is started from Stone era. In starting stage here human was like abysmal and their behave was like animals. With reference of Ramayana and Mahabharat there was a dense forest area named Dandakaranya and the Kanker state belonged to Dandakaranya.

According to myths the Kanker was the land of monks. A lot of Rishis (monks) named Kank, Lomesh, Shringi, Angira were lived here. In sixth century before Christ the region was affected by Buddhism. The ancient history of Kanker tells that it remained always independent state.

In 106 AD the Kanker state was under the Satvahan dynasty and the king was Satkarni, This fact is also descripted by Chinese visitor Whensaung.

After Satkarni his disasters named Pulumavi, Shivshri and Shivskand became the king. After Satvahans the state was under control of Nags, Vakataks and Gupt dynasties time to time. (more…)

Hareli: Celebrated in the month of ‘Shravan’, Hareli is a symbol of agricultural prosperity. Farmers worship farm tools and cows on this occasion.

They place branches and leaves of ‘Bhelwa’ (a tree resembling cashew tree) in the fields and pray for good harvest. People also hang small Neem branches at the main entrance of houses on this occasion to prevent occurrence of seasonal diseases.

Pola:Pola follows Hareli. It is celebrated by worshipping bullocks. Children play with idols of Nandi bull (the vehicle of Lord Shiva) made of clay and fitted with clay wheels. A bull race is a major event of the festival.

By road: Jagdalpur is at a distance of 300 km which is approximately six hours by road.

Jagdalpur is well connected with road from the State capital Raipur and other parts of neighbouring state Orissa. In addition to this a railway station is also there and a passenger train with sleeper coach is running daily to Vishakhapatnam and vice-versa.

The railway station is located in a naturally beautiful area, where sometimes film shootings are carried out. More over an Air Strip is also situated in Jagdalpur; but presently no passenger services are currently rendered from here.

As of 2001 India census, Jagdalpur had a population of 73,687. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Jagdalpur has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 79%, and female literacy is 68%. In Jagdalpur, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Jagdalpur is located at 19.07° N 82.03° E. It has an average elevation of 552 meters (1811 feet).

Jagdalpur is a city in the chhattisgarh state of central India. The city is located on the south bank of the Indravati River, and has a population of approximately 250,000. It is the administrative headquarters of Bastar District and Bastar Division, and was the capital of the erstwhile princely state of Bastar.

Jagdalpur and its surrounding area comprise a major part of the Bastar District. The area is famous for age old wooden handicrafts. These are in high demand among both local as well as foreign tourists. (more…)

Danteshwari Temple: Located arourd 80 km (50 mi) from Jagdalpur city is the famous and sacred temple of Ma (Hindi for mother) Danteshwari, a local goddess, worshipped as an incarnation of Shakti. This temple is believed to posses several divine powers. Every year during dushera thousands of tribals from surrounding villages and jungles gather here to pay homage to the goddess.

Situated in Dantewada, south-west of Jagdalpur, at the confluence of the holy rivers Shankini & Dhankini, this six hundred year old temple is one of the ancient heritage sites of India and is a representation of the religio-socio-cultural history of the Bastar region. Little is known about this shrine to much of India. The vast temple complex today is truly a standing monument to centuries of history and tradition. With its rich architectural and sculptural wealth and its vibrant festival traditions, Danteshwari Mai temple serves as the most important spiritual center for the people of this region.

It is believed that a tooth of Sati had fallen here and Danteshwari Shakti Pith was established. According to the ancient legend, Goddess Sati committed self-immolation in the fire pit of yagna kund, due to an insult committed by her father Daksha towards her consort Lord Shiva during the Yaga. Raged by the death of Sati, Lord Shiva destroyed the Yaga of Daksha and with the body of Sati in his hands started to do ‘Taandav’.Lord Vishnu cut the dead body of Goddess Sati with his Sudarshan to free Lord Shiva from the grief caused by her death. Parts of the dead body of Goddess Sati were scattered to fifty-two different places, which were consecrated as Shakti Pithas. (more…)

The history of Jagdalpur takes us as deep into the past as Valmiki’s Ramayana.It was the famous Dandakaranya through which Lord Rama is supposed to have passed. Scholars have also identified Valmiki’s ashram here.

The Bastar rulers trace their ancestry not just to the moon, but also to Prithviraj Chauhan, the last Hindu king to rule from Delhi in the 12th century. Bastar has seen the rule of number of kingdoms like the Nals, Chalukyas and the Kakatiyas being some of them. The great Kakatiya King Pratap Rudra’s brother, Annam Deo, left Warangal and established his kingdom at Bastar, around 1424 AD.

Bastar has seen several hundred years of royal rule, wars of succession, conquering of kingdoms, battles, conspiracies etc. After Annam Deo it has witnessed the rule of Hamir Deo, Pratap Raj Deo, Rajpal Deo,Dalpat Deo etc. It was during the reign of Dalpat Deo that the capital of their kingdom was shifted to Jagdalpur.

After the death of Dalpat Deo,his son Daryao Deo over threw his elder brother Ajmer Singh from the throne, and became the ruler. Ajemr Singh was successful in securing the throne back but after two years Daryao Deo once again succeeded in overthrowing Ajmer Singh and became the ruler. (more…)