Rajnandgaon Travel Guide
Rajnandgaon is a district in the newly formed state of Chhattisgarh. Dongargarh is a tehsil headquarter in the district of Rajnandgaon and main tourist as well as pilgrimage spot to be visited on a tour to Rajnandgaon. The famous temple of Maa Bambleshwari situated on a hilltop of 1600 feet in the town of Dongargarh is one of the major tourist attractions in Rajnandgaon.
This temple is referred as Badi Bambleshwari meaning big bambleshwari. Another temple at ground level is situated about 1/2 km from the bigger temple complex and is referred to as Chhoti Bambleshwari meaning small bambleshwari. Lakhs of people from far and wide flock to the shrine during the celebrations of navratri of Kavar (Dusshera) and during Ramnavmi. During these festivals fairs are organized in the premises of the temple and run for 24 hours. A Tour To Rajnandgaon In India is therefore best if planned during a festival if you are keen on witnessing an Indian festival from close quarters.
The temple remains open from 4.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and 1.00 p.m.to10.30 p.m. on weekdays and 5.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. on Saturdays & Sundays. The added tourist attraction is the ropeway which is the only passenger ropeway in the state of Chhattisgarh and attracts considerable tourist attention.
Rajnandgaon is 40 km from Dongargarh which falls on the Bombay – Howrah main line at a distance of 170 km from Nagpur and 100 km from Raipur. Quite a few major trains pass this station.