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It’s been over 10 years that I’ve been writing and sharing my travel stories with you. When I joined my first job, I thought I’d get to travel the world, well that didn’t happen. But luckily blogging connected me to some amazing people, and one thing led to another and I got a chance to explore many places. Over the last few years, I’ve travelled quite a bit and I rarely visit the same destination twice.
Things were different last week when I visited Bastar, once again. If you remember, I was in Bastar last year along with my family around the same time. While the last trip was personal, this one was slightly different as I was invited by the district administration to attend The Bastar Madai and explore the region differently. In this blog post, I’m going to talk about my experience of attending the event, exploring Bastar and telling you which it’s a region waiting to be explored.
What’s The Bastar Madai?
The local language of the region is “Halbi” which I felt is influenced by Marathi and Odiya. And in Halbi, “Madai” means a fair. So The Bastar Fair is an initiative launched by the district administration to showcase the incredible diversity and beauty of the region. Known for its rich tribal heritage and untouched landscapes, Bastar has long been a hidden gem, and the Bastar Madai is a vibrant way to invite travellers to explore this captivating corner of India.
I attended the inauguration of The Bastar Madai where the who’s who of the district administration were present. The inauguration party saw a lot of cultural performances including songs and tribal dances. Since this wasn’t my first trip, I did have some idea of what was in store. Over three days, I had the chance to immerse myself in the local culture, sampling unique dishes that I missed last time, witnessing tribal rituals, and learning about the deep history that ties this community together.
If you, like many others also have the questions – “Why Bastar?”, “Is Bastar Safe?” – well the region is absolutely safe. And I’m not saying because I was invited to this event, but I went with my family last year and I can vouch it’s safe. Read my post on Why Visit Bastar if you still have doubts.
Must Read -> Bastar Blog Post Series
Bastar Tourist Circuit
As part of The Bastar Madai, the district administration launched The Bastar Tourist Circuit map to help travellers explore the region better. While the team had identified over 1000 destinations in the region, this tourist circuit is just a glimpse of what Bastar has to offer.
The tourist circuit is divided into four distinct themes—Adventure, Heritage, Culture, and Nature— which offer something for every type of traveller. Each tour provides a curated experience, allowing visitors to dive deep into the essence of Bastar. Below are the highlights of each tour:
Adventure Tour
If you’re a thrill-seeker, the Adventure tour is tailored for you. It brings you face-to-face with the region’s rugged landscapes, from thrilling treks to unexplored caves, rivers and pristine waterfalls. The Blue Tour is designed to ignite your adventurous spirit, offering adrenaline-pumping experiences in some of the most scenic and untouched parts of Bastar. Having been there twice, I can say that not many know, that Bastar is a great adventure tourism destination. Below are a few adventure places that you must visit.
- Kosarteda Dam
- Dudmaras
- Tiriya Machkot
- Tirtha
- Bijakasa Waterfalls
- Mandwa Waterfalls
- Dalpat Sagar
- Chitrakote waterfalls
- Mendri Ghumar Waterfalls
- Tamda Ghumar Waterfalls
- Michnar Hills
- Chitradhara Waterfalls
Heritage Tour
Bastar’s history is rich and ancient, and the Heritage tour is your gateway to discovering this deep-rooted legacy. This tour takes you to historical landmarks, age-old temples, and monuments that tell the story of the region’s vibrant past. I was surprised to see 11th-century temples during this trip in the region, which clearly shows the rich heritage of the region. I had previously seen such old temples in Hampi and Halebidu. Whether you’re fascinated by architecture, and archaeology, or just enjoy stepping back in time, the Red Tour will leave you awe-inspired.
- Girola Hinglajin Temple
- Shiv Temple
- Narayanpal Temple
- Rampal Shiv Temple
- Kuruspal Jain Temple
- Kotumsar Cave
- Kailash Cave
- Dandak Cave
- Mandarkonta Cave
- Chindgaon Shiv Temple
- Dilmili Memory Pillars
- Gupteshwar Shiv Temple
- Devda Shiv Temple
- Madhota Shiv Temple & Waterfalls
- Anthropology Museum
- District Museum
Culture Tour
The Culture tour is an immersive experience that takes you straight to the heart of Bastar’s tribal traditions. Being amongst the only regions in India with over 90% tribal population, the region gives you a closer look into the life of tribals. From local craft markets to tribal dance performances, this tour showcases the living traditions that have been passed down for generations. You can also get some local tribal homestay experience which is second to none.
Also, the delicious food that tribals make is worth exploring. Whether you’re a meat eater or a vegetarian, there’s a lot on offer – read my post on places to eat in Jagdalpur. The Yellow Tour is perfect for anyone looking to understand the cultural fabric of the region, with firsthand experiences of the music, art, and lifestyle of regional tribes like Dhurva and Gond to name a few.
- Manjhipal village
- Jagdalpur
- Nangur Village
- Jamawada Village
- Chilkuti Craft Village
- Gudiyapadar Village
- Bamanaraas Village
- Karkapara Village
Nature Tour
For those drawn to the outdoors (like me), the Nature tour in the Bastar Madai tourist circuit offers breathtaking scenery, from dense forests to majestic waterfalls and serene wildlife sanctuaries. Everyone on the tour pointed out how green the region is and I’m sure you’ll be surprised to see the greenery too. Since I drove from Hyderabad to Bastar last time, I can vouch for amazing roads and green canopies.
The Green Tour is a haven for nature lovers, providing an escape into the wilderness of Bastar, where every turn brings you closer to nature’s untouched beauty. Whether it’s birdwatching or hiking through verdant landscapes, this tour is perfect for a peaceful retreat.
- Baith Jharna
- Kaknar Valley
- Tirathgarh Waterfalls
- Kanger Dhara Waterfalls
- Kanger Valley National Park
- Topar Waterfalls
- Shivganga Waterfalls
- Dilmili Hills
- Manjhipal Village
Each of these tours provides you with a glimpse into what the region has to offer and that there’s everything for everyone. We were divided into two groups, one was the adventure group and I chose to explore the cultural circuit and I was blown away by everything I saw and explored.
Plan Your Next Trip To Bastar
For folks staying in Hyderabad, Nagpur, Vizag, Bhubaneswar and other places, Bastar is a perfect long weekend getaway. As I mentioned earlier, there’s everything for everyone and makes for a great family destination. While the GenZ of the family can experience the thrill of trekking to majestic waterfalls, the baby boomers can explore the rich cultural heritage of the region and foodies like me can relish some authentic tribal food.
That’s about it for this post. Thanks to the administration for inviting me and other influencers from other parts of the country to explore Bastar. I know I’m coming back again, hopefully during winter, to experience the mountains and the caves of Kanger Valley.
So, do plan a trip, the region is beautiful in every season, but the monsoons are when the entire region comes to life. I’d highly recommend connecting with folks from Unexplored Bastar who know the region inside out and can take care of your entire itinerary.
Apart from that, also reach out to Culture Devi, my friend and an amazing storyteller for a customised heritage walk in Bastar and other parts of India. Trust me, both of them will take great care of you and ensure you have a great time. Just tell them my name, and they’ll take good care of you 🙂
Feel free to drop a comment for any further information or reach out to me for any assistance. Drop your thoughts in the comments below, tweet to me at @Atulmaharaj, DM on Instagram, or Get In Touch.
