Kanker

Cultural

Chhattisgarh

39°C / Clouds

History
Places to visit
How to reach

Kanker district lies between the two biggest cities, Raipur (capital of Chhattisgarh) and Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh. The place is closely associated with ancient history from the stone age. The town is immensely influenced by Buddhism which came into existence in the sixth century. It also gained a lot of popularity among locals and travelers from far and wide areas for the Madai festival which is celebrated with great excitement and enthusiasm. The tribes from different places of the Kanker district come together to celebrate the festival and enjoy the essence of rich cultural and tribal heritage of this area. Cascading waterfalls, fast-moving rivers, tall mountains, and verdant forests add to its natural beauty. Visitors can also look at the lives led by tribals in the area at tribal villages and appreciate the hardships faced by them. These tribals are expert and skilled artisans. They create stunning handicrafts and items made up of bamboo.

Best Time to Visit Kanker

If you want to experience the charm of Kanker to the fullest, it is best to plan Kanker Trip during the months of October to March. It is the best time to explore this area amidst pleasant weather conditions. The infectious joie de vivre of the festival will undoubtedly double your fun.

History Of Kanker

Kanker is situated in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh state of India. Previously, it was a part of Madhya Pradesh state (before the formation of Chhattisgarh State). In 1999, Kanker was declared as an independent district. During ancient times, the place was home to several saints and spiritual gurus such as Kank, Lomesh, Shringi, and Angira. According to the ancient scriptures, the place was greatly influenced by Buddhism. Once, it was also ruled by the Satavahana Dynasty that left an undeniable impact. The great Chinese traveler, scholar, and Buddhist monk, Xuanzang has shared several references related to Kanker.

Places To Visit In Kanker

Kanker is one of the most popular tourist places in Chhattisgarh. Here's the list of places you can explore in Kanker.

1. Kanker Palace

The most popular destination of this town is Kanker Palace. The rich heritage of the place defines the ancient realm of the territory. Built in the 19th century, the palace was redesigned later. It is surely a stunning palace. Plan a visit to this place and enjoy staying here as it is open for guests planning to stay here and enjoy the royal charm of the palace. It is among the top-rated resorts in the area.

2. Charre-Marre Waterfall

Positioned at a distance of 17km from Kanker, Charre-Marre Waterfall offers a scenic view to its visitors and keeps them fascinated. Undoubtedly, an ideal destination to restore energies and enjoy a soothing effect.

3. Gadiya Mountain

It is here where you will find the mysterious cave where a famous Kandra king used to hide with his family. Alongside, you will also find a tank that is always full of water. It is the best place to start your trip in this town and explore the heritage that is also the pride of this place.

4. Maa Shivani Temple

This temple is dedicated to Goddess Maa Kali and Maa Durga. It gently embraces calmness and divinity that seems to attract devotees and visitors alike. You’d find huge crowds, especially at the time of Navratri, when a large number of devotees visit this temple to get the blessings of divine deity.

5. Gangrel Dam

It is the most upstream dam situated on the Mahanadi River. The Gangrel Dam is also the largest dam in the state of Chhattisgarh. There are several resorts located in the vicinity. The views of the dam are picturesque and keep visitors enthralled by the sheer power of water cascading from great heights.

6. Parsu Tola

It is just a few kilometers away from Kanker. The place is famous for various water activities like surfing, boating, etc. A one-day trip or picnic can also be enjoyed here.

7. Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary

Although tourists don't know much about this place, the Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary is a must-visit. One can explore a variety of flora and fauna at this sanctuary. The famous Udanti River passes through the reserve adding to its natural beauty. If you are lucky and visit the reserve at the right time, you can spot wild animals like Leopards, Tigers, Flying Squirrels, four-horned antelopes, Black Buck, Chinkara, Barking Deer, Jungle Cat, Sloth Bear, Striped Hyena, Bison, Monkey, and more.

How To Reach Kanker

To reach Kanker in Chhattisgarh, you can choose any mode of transport. It is well-connected with all three modes of transport- air, rail, and road. Check out the following details on how you can reach here by the following means of public transport.

Nearest Metro City. Kolkata
Distance from Kolkata. 1052 Km
Nearest City. Bilaspur
Distance from Bilaspur. 295.6 Km
Nearest Airbase. Swami Vivekanand Airport, Raipur
Nearest Railway Station. Raipur Railway Station

By Air

Deboard at the Swami Vivekanand Airport located about 120-130 km away in Raipur. The airport is well-connected to several Indian cities with good flight connectivity with many prominent airlines like Jet Airways, Indigo, Jet Lite, etc providing regular direct and connecting flight services. After deboarding at the airport, you can take a cab or some other means of transportation to reach here.

Distance from the Nearest Airport.120 Km

Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Kanker

By Train

Kanker in Bastar does not have its own railway station. Thus, considering your geographical location, you can deboard at either Raipur Railway Station, Balod Railway Station, Dalli-Rajhara Railway Station, or Gunderdehi Railway Station. All these railheads are located within 100-120 km distance from Kanker. From the stations, you can easily book a taxi to reach your destination.

Distance from the Raipur Railway Station.176.7 Km
Distance from the Balod Railway Station.75.5 Km

By Road

The road connectivity of Kanker is well-structured and easily accessible. From the neighboring cities, you can easily get onboard interstate/private buses, take a taxi, or self-drive here.

Distance From Bilaspur. 260 km via NH30 or NH130
Distance From Raigarh. 359 km via NH53
Distance From Korba. 358 km via NH30
Distance from Delhi. 1314 Km
Distance from Mumbai. 1118 Km
Distance from Kolkata. 1052 Km
Distance from Bengaluru. 1255 Km

Frequently Asked Questions Related to Kanker

Ques 1. When was Kanker Found?

Ans 1. Kanker was found in the early second century. The ruler of the Satavahana dynasty, Raja Satkarni established this town. In 1809, it was occupied by Nagpur Marathas after usurping Raja Satkarni.

Ques 2. Where is Kanker located?

Ans 2. Kanker is located in the Kanker district. It was earlier a part of Bastar district but now has its own district.

You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here.