Chattisgarh - The Land of Surprises

November 22, 2017

Chattisgarh - The Land of Surprises

As truly said that "Unplanned Trip are the best as Planned Trips never happens"

An unplanned Trip to Chitrakote, Chhattisgarh turns out to be one of the most memorable rode for both of us.

Chitrakote Waterfalls

2 Riders, (Myself and Harshal Mody)

3 States

4 days (13 Oct- 17 Oct '17)

2800 KM

Route: Pune - Aurangabad - Jalna - Akola - Nagpur -Durg - Chitrakote (Jabalpur) - Nagpur - Igajpuri - Mumbai

Launching our Journey from Pune

Night riding on Friday towards our first pit stop from Pune to Nagpur (780km) turns out to be nightmare.

At one point we were cursing our self for this ride as we were totally exhausted by the road conditions.

We took a Short power nap at Local temple on the way.

Pitstop at Local Village Temple, Jalna

The later stretch from Amravati to Nagpur was awesome Road and felt some relieved from back breaking ride.

Had some local delicacies at nearby Dhaba (Bhakari and Patodi sabji_)

Local Delicacies

Amravati - Nagpur Highway

The 2nd Lap was from Nagpur to Chitrakote (Chhattisgarh) - 600km.

We never missed those cheap juicy Sitafals (custard apple) throughout the way in Chhattisgarh

It was totally a different world. With lush green dense forest on both side of the Road, beautiful dense mountain Ghats. Especially the Keskal ghat was Speechless.

Entry to Chattisgarh

Keskal Ghat

Was a surprise meet up with one of my FB friend Ansh misra, who has travelled entire India penniless for 1 year at our next stretch pit stop for Lunch - Durg. Durg was his last destination.

We were invited for lunch by local host- @Vikas kumar

Meeting with Traveller - Ansh Mishra

We then proceeded there on for Chitrakote. It was already late around 8.30 in the night. Days are shorter in eastern part of India. And almost everything closes down by 7.30pm

We were almost lost riding through village in the night as nobody was as available to seek for any help or guide, neither the network.

Accidentally we approach the District police for help. This again turns out to be turmoil.

Being in Riders getup and Harshal was wearing camouflaged army track. The police doubted us for Naxalite being Naxalite zone. We were interrogated for more than 40 mins and us trying to explain the things and about our Ride. They checked our belongings and I cards and did not believe us that we rode from Pune to chitrokote to visit and camp. No network and hence couldn't connect to the Jeet, the only person I know in Chhattisgarh for help. Finally it worked and the matter sorted out.

But later, District police helped us a lot in tracking out the location through the dark village route.

Thanks to @Jeet and @Apeksha shahani for guiding and helping in arranging the camping sites near Chitrakote waterfalls

Locals (contacts provided by Jeet) helped us in tenting near the Waterfall view and with delicious food late night.

Night Camping at Chitrakote

Next day we explored the entire village where in people still lives in the traditional old style. Cow dung post houses, cooking on chulhas, locals were busy in painting their their houses after plastering their huts with cow dung for Diwali.

We went through the base of giganting Waterfalls. It almost resembles the Niagara Falls. This place is totally amazing. The base of waterfalls looks as if some lost islands, with huge caves and voluptuous trees.

It also reminds us of Bahubali movie scene...