Day 3 -> 05-Dec-2008
It was like any other day yet quite unlike any other coz we were to visit only waterfalls the entire day.
Our first stop was Chitradhara and again a reailty check for us. It was 95% dried up, only the rivulet bed remained soaking the winter sun proudly. Since we didn’t needed a reason / place to click photos we spent close to 1 hr clicking photographs and exploring the rocky terrain. After that we headed for Thumdaghumar waterfalls.
THAMADA GHUMAR water fall is another recently discovered waterfall which is also in Lohandiguda block.Its height is more than 100 feet and is generally formed in rainy season. There are green fields on both sides of this waterfall. Very few tourists visit this spot coz of far off its location and we were the only lucky ones to be there that day. The first feeling you get is that the entire scenic beauty including the waterfall is built especially for you in your own private location hidden from outside world.
The fall is straight 96 feet fall after which flowing water disappears into the green valley before forming a small pond at the base. We all agreed that Thamada Ghumar was indeed a perfect paradise from Arthur Conan Doyle’s Lost World.
Late afternoon we reached Chitrakot Waterfalls.
Chitrakot??? If you are thinking you have heard about it, you are right. There are chances you might have seen / read about it on TV or newspapers during monsoon season. For Curious people reading this- Chitrakot Waterfall is supposed to be the Niagara Falls of India. It is the broadest water fall in India. During Monsoon one can see its might. The River Indravati falls from a height of 29 m (96 ft) to form this waterfall. It is located 48 km (30 mi) from Jagdalpur and is accessible by road only. There is a helipad but it is used by government only. A few small hotels and restaurants are located near the falls.
Here again we took a dip in the shallow waters of indravati river but before the water falls down.
We saw the waterfall from both above(walking) and below (using a peddaled boat). FYI - Max water discharge here is 184500 Cusec which happens during monsoon.
On our return journey from Chitrakot we got a chance to gulp down desi beer of chattisgarhi tribals which is made of fermented rice and served in some green leaf which acts a glass. This desi beer was called ‘Laanda’ and locals consume it just like any other beverage (tea, coffee). The other famous Desi beers being Sulfi and Mahua. These are little extra things you get while you are in Chattisgarh.
Our Home Return journey was overnight Bus Journey(4th dec night) from Jagdalpur to Raipur and then finally from Raipur to Mumbai(5th-6th dec) in Howrah-Mumbai Mail which dumped us at dadar station on Sunday 06-dec-08 at 05.00am.
During our 3 days stay at Jagdalpur we had 2 consecutive days breakfast of Idli, Vada and Dosa’s which were so yummy that we thought it had been brought down straight from Udipi. Also not to forget the lip Sucking biryani that we had at a Kerala hotel which did not serve south Indian dishes(weirdo). The biryani was so irrestible that inspite of me suffering from mouth ulcers and loose motions I had it for 2 consecutive days[ That’s Madness ].
SL coach Train tickets - 760 rs
Bus Ticets - 185 (Luxury ) [Down journey]
- 220 (Super Luxury) [Up journey]
Indica Booking - 800 / Head
Hotel Charges - 220 / head (for 2.5 days)
With TV n Hot water
PS: The time period we visited was not good for tourists as there was no government Chattisgarh due to ongoing election process. There was POLICE rule and NAXALITE’s really hated that and had declared naxalite week from 01 dec to 06 dec 2008 which meant restricted access to remote tourist locations (Bhainsa dhara in wild safari was one of the remote location).
Before going to Jagdalpur make sure there is no Naxalite week ongoing else u may have to alter your plans.
