- Five major Shaktipeeths will be developed
Tourism is a journey or excursion which is undertaken for the purpose of entertainment or enjoying leisure time. Atithi Devo Bhava has been an Indian tradition since ancient times. About 138 places in Chhattisgarh have been given priority as tourist destinations on the basis of national and international importance, in which 58 monuments, 11 sanctuaries and 03 national parks have been declared protected. Tourism is an ancient and fundamental tendency of humans. Tourism enhances knowledge and entertains by observing terrestrial and human diversities. Chhattisgarh is a major destination for natural and cultural tourism. The natural beauty and cultural heritage here have developed it as a major tourist destination.
The Chhattisgarh government has launched the Shaktipeeth Project, modeled after the Char Dham in Uttarakhand, to connect the state’s major religious sites. Under this project, a spiritual and religious tourism corridor spanning approximately 1,000 kilometers is being developed. Major Shaktipeeths and important places of worship in Chhattisgarh will be developed, beautified, and infrastructure expanded. Essential amenities such as easy access roads, drinking water, lighting, sanitation, resting places, and security will be developed for devotees at the Shaktipeeths.
The Chhattisgarh Aastha Path (Shaktipeeth Tour) scheme is being launched, which will provide tours and darshans of the five Shaktipeeths. The government has allocated ₹5 crore (approximately $1.5 billion) in the 2026-27 budget. Budgetary provisions have been made to develop the five Shaktipeeths of the state: Kudargarh, Dongargarh, Ratanpur, Chandrapur, and Dantewada, as a Shaktipeeth circuit. Under this project, the Maa Mahamaya temple in Ratanpur, Maa Chandrahasni temple in Chandrapur, Maa Bamleshwari temple in Dongargarh, Maa Danteshwari temple in Dantewada, and Kudargarh temple in Surajpur were to be developed as a religious circuit. Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai also allocated ₹5 crore (approximately $1 billion) for this purpose in the budget after forming the government, with the hope of giving a new impetus to religious tourism in the state. Connecting these five Shaktipeeths with improved roads, tourist facilities, rest stops, and security infrastructure is underway. The Chhattisgarh Tourism Board and the district administration are rapidly working on beautification and pilgrim facilities at these temples.
Under the Central Government’s PRASHAD scheme, a ₹200 crore action plan has been prepared for the overall development of the Maa Mahamaya Temple, Ratanpur, located in Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh, and has been submitted to the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Upon approval of the action plan, an agency will be designated and work will commence. This temple was built during the 11th-12th centuries by the Kalchuri king Ratnadeva I and is dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi and Goddess Mahasaraswati. They are revered as the presiding deities of the South Koshal region and the family deity of the Ratanpur state. Additionally, CPRs are underway for the Shaktipeeths of Dongargarh, Kudargarh, Chandrapur, and Dantewada.
Under the Prasad Scheme, the central government has selected 26 religious pilgrimage sites in the country in the first phase. These sites are being developed for tourism purposes so that tourists from both India and abroad can visit them. Tourism should be promoted and the fame of these sites should be expanded. A proposal has been prepared and sent to the central government to include our major goddess pilgrimage sites, Mahamaya Temple and Danteshwari Temple, in the Prasad Scheme.
- These facilities are to be developed
Facilities like garden, accommodation, lighting, havan-puja place, railing, water, community toilets, seating arrangement, ropeway, tourism board centre, CCTV cameras, security system and home stay etc. are to be developed in all the five Shaktipeeths. Essential facilities like better road connectivity, clean drinking water, modern toilets, well-organized parking, tourist help centre, digital information system, first aid and security will be developed on priority in these places. Keeping in mind the uniqueness of these tourist places, special attention will also be given to the preservation of local architecture, culture and natural environment in their development.
- Maa Bamleshwari Temple, Dongargarh
Nestled in the picturesque hills of Dongargarh, located in the Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh, Maa Bamleshwari Devi is the center of immense faith not only for this region but also for millions of devotees from India and abroad. Situated on a hill approximately 1600 feet above sea level, this sacred temple holds a special place among the sacred forms of Mother Shakti. The Maa Bamleshwari Temple in Dongargarh, Chhattisgarh, has a history dating back approximately 2200 years. It is a renowned Shaktipeeth. 2200 years ago, the city of Kamakhya (present-day Dongargarh) was ruled by King Veersen. Being childless, he worshipped Shiva and Durga. By the grace of the Goddess, he was blessed with a son, after which he established this temple. In the 11th century, the Kalchuri King Karnadev redeveloped this temple. Later, in the 15th-16th centuries, the Gond kings expanded the area and the temple. The Maa Bamleshwari Temple in Dongargarh is a center of faith not only for devotees in Chhattisgarh but also for those in the country and abroad. The Maa Bamleshwari Temple is said to be more than 2,500 years old. The central government has announced an international-level project here under the Prasad Scheme.
- Maa Mahamaya Temple, Ratanpur
Ratanpur Mahamaya Temple is a renowned and historic Siddha Shaktipeeth located in Ratanpur, Bilaspur district, Chhattisgarh. Located on the Bilaspur-Korba road, this Mahamaya Devi temple is said to have been built in 1050 AD. Established by King Ratnadeva I, the temple area is considered the capital of the Kalchuris. This is a historic temple dedicated to the family deity of the Kalchuri kings, where the shoulder of the goddess is believed to have fallen.
This temple was built in the 11th-12th centuries (approximately the 12th-13th centuries) by King Ratandev I of the Kalachuri dynasty. Later, in 1492 AD (Vikram Samvat 1552), King Bahar Sai renovated and constructed the present temple. The sanctum sanctorum houses a rare dual image of Goddess Mahamaya – with Mahishasuramardini in front and Goddess Saraswati behind. It is believed that the right hand of Goddess Sati fell here.
- Maa Danteshwari Temple, Dantewada
The Maa Danteshwari Temple, located in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, is not just a religious site but also a symbol of the unique union of local tribal traditions and eternal faith. Located at the sacred confluence of the Shankhini and Dankini rivers in Dantewada, the temple has been a center of immense devotion for tribals and common people for centuries. According to religious beliefs, the tooth of Goddess Sati fell here, giving this sacred site the name Dantewada and the name of the Goddess Danteshwari. Built in the 14th century, the Kakatiya kings of Bastar considered the presiding deity of this temple their family deity. The sanctum sanctorum houses a magnificent six-armed idol of Mahishasuramardini, carved from black stone. The temple’s significance reaches its peak during the world-famous Bastar Dussehra. During the festival, the Goddess’s umbrella and palanquin are carried from Dantewada to Jagdalpur, and thousands of tribal and common devotees from far and wide arrive on foot to participate. This event reflects the cultural unity and mutual brotherhood of the region.
- Mother Bageshwari Kudargarh Dham
Located in the Odgi development block of Surajpur district, Bageshwari Mata is known for slaying demons. She is considered a symbol of strength and courage. Situated on a 1,500-foot-high mountain, this temple is surrounded by dense forests. According to legend, the Kudargadh area was the abode of Goddess Parvati, where she assumed the form of Shakti and slew demons. Later, King Baland, a devotee of the goddess, established the Bageshwari Mata temple at this very spot about four hundred years ago. Later, a king from the Chauhan dynasty defeated Baland in battle, after which that dynasty took over the care of the temple. Since then, descendants of the Chauhan dynasty perform the first morning aarti here every year during Navratri. In the 18th century, the Chauhan kings entrusted the responsibility of caring for and worshipping the goddess to the Baiga tribe, the indigenous tribal community of Chhattisgarh. Since then, only the Baiga community worships the goddess.
- Mother Chandrahasini Chandrapur
The temple of Maa Chandrahasini Devi, located on the banks of the Mahanadi in Chandrapur, Sakti district (formerly Janjgir-Champa) of Chhattisgarh, is a renowned Siddha Shaktipeeth. Located in Chandrapur, near the confluence of the Mahanadi and Mand rivers, it is believed that King Chandrahas of Sambalpur built the temple, giving the place its name “Chandrapur” and the goddess its name “Chandrahasini.” In 1522, the Gond king Dhundhy Ram Sah Atram of Chandrapur renovated the temple. The Gond kings considered Maa their family deity and carried forward the tradition of Shakti worship.
The Maa Chandrahasini Temple in Sakti district has a very ancient history. It is located on a hill in Chandrapur. The temple’s beautiful artwork evokes antiquity. People have great faith in the Goddess. It is considered one of the 52 Shaktipeeths, and it is believed that the left ear of Goddess Sati fell here. In 1935, the Mahanadi River was devastated by a massive flood. Thakur Shashibhushan, a descendant of King Chandrahasa, offered a goat sacrifice to the Goddess and prayed, after which the river’s water level receded, saving lives. Even today, the Goddess’s footprints remain on a stone near the river, and are worshipped.
To promote sustainable tourism from the economic, cultural and socio-ecological perspectives of the state. To strengthen the quality and attractiveness of tourism experiences in Chhattisgarh. To preserve, promote and propagate Chhattisgarh’s rich and diverse cultural heritage. To increase the contribution of tourism to economic development and related sectors. To encourage the efforts of private investors in the development of tourism-related infrastructure. To make the role of the government facilitative, to promote new concepts in the field of tourism such as time share, eco-tourism, adventure tourism, etc. To respect the intellectual property and rights of the local community. To give tourism the status of an industry in Chhattisgarh, which will provide employment to the unemployed.