Chhattisgarh, situated in the heart of India, is endowed with a rich cultural heritage and attractive natural diversity. The State is full of ancient monuments, rare wildlife, exquisitely carved temples, Buddhist sites, palaces, water falls, caves, rock paintings and hill plateaus. Most of these sites are untouched and unexplored and offer a unique and alternate experience to tourists compared to traditional destinations which have become overcrowded. Chhattisgarh offers the tourist a Destination with a Difference. For those who are tired of the crowds at major destinations, Bastar, with its unique cultural and ecological identity, will come as a breath of fresh air. The Green State of Chhattisgarh has 44% of its area under forests, and is one of the richest bio-diversity areas in the country.

Eco-tourism:
With 12% share of India's forests, Chhattisgarh's 3 National Parks and 11 Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks are a major attraction. It has several virgin attractions in protected areas such as Kanger Valley National Park, Barnawapara, Sitanadi, Udanti and Achanakmar Sanctuaries. The endangered Wild Buffalo (Bubalis bubalis) and the even more endangered Hill Myna (Graculis religiosa peninsularis) are the State Animal and State Bird respectively. The State has taken several steps for their preservation. Natural attractions are being promoted with increased local participation and encouragement to herbal gardens and natural health resorts. The mystique of aboriginal tribal ethno-medicine which predates even Ayurveda has been preserved and practiced over the millennia. Mainpat (Surguja), Keshkal valley (Kanker), Chaiturgarh (Bilaspur), Bagicha (Jashpur), Kutumbsar caves, Kailash caves, Tirathgarh falls, Chitrakot falls (Bastar) are all exhilarating destinations being promoted for nature and wildlife tourism. Wildlife areas, camping grounds and trekking facilities would be few of the prime attractions.

Culture, Heritage and Ethno-Tourism:
Chhattisgarh has identified and is developing ethnic villages and private sector is encouraged for proper maintenance and professional site management of important heritage sites/monuments. Bhoramdeo, Rajim, Sirpur, Tala, Malhar and Sheorinarayan are prime sites for heritage tourism. Festivals like Dusshera at Bastar, Madai at Dantewada and Narainpur, Bhoramdeo, Raut Nacha, Chakradhar Samaroh and Rajim are being marketed for global exposure.

Pilgrim Tourism:
The State encourages development of pilgrimage centres. Rajim, Champaranya, Dongargarh, Sheorinarayan, Girodhpuri, Dantewada, Ratanpur, Sirpur and others are prime destinations for pilgrim tourism. Sirpur and Dongargarh would be part of the wider Buddhist tourist circuit.

Adventure Tourism:
There is great scope for the promotion of modern adventure sports such as water sports, trekking, rock climbing, parasailing and bungee jumping.

Business and Leisure Tourism:
Chhattisgarh encourages investments in establishment of business-cum-recreation centres to cater to the needs of business travellers. State-of-the-art convention centers, seminar halls etc for corporate events are being encouraged. Investments for the entertainment needs of business tourists with high purchasing power, facilities such as hotels, entertainment and amusement parks, multiplexes, health spas, shopping malls and golf courses are being encouraged.

Festivals:
Dusshera Festival at Jagdalpur (Bastar) in the month of October: The most important festival in Bastar is the Dusshera when all the deities from all villages congregate at the temple of Danteshwari in Jagdalpur, the district head quarters. The Dusshera in Bastar, unlike Dusshera in other parts of India, has nothing to do with the triumphant return of Rama to Aodhaya. Desshera in Bestir is devoted entirely to the goddess, Danteshwari Devi.

Rajiv Lochan Mahotsav at Rajim in the month of February:
Bhoramdeo Mahatsav at Bhoramdev, Kawardha in the last week of March - Situated 18 Kms from Kawardha on the Raipur (116 Kms), Jabalpur (220 Kms) road, on the bank of river Sankari, among the Satpura hills and their scenic valleys, Bhoramdeo temples have a special attraction for lovers of history & archeology. The temples were built by the Haiya dynasty.

Chakradhar festival at Raigarh during Durganavmni (September - October):
The chakradhar festival is celebrated every year during durganavmi at Raigarh. This festival contains the entire flavor like cultural progeamme, music & folk dances.

Goncha Festival at Jagdalpur (Baster) during the month of July on the occasion of Rath Yatra:
Goncha Festival is celebrated every year on the on the occasion of "Rath Yatra" at Jagdalpur. This is a very special of festival in which tribes from various part of Bastar take part with two thing "Tukki" & "goncha". Tukki is made of Bamboo & gonch is kind of fruit. They use "goncha" as a "Bullet" & Tukki" as "pistol" to hit each other, it's a special kind of sports.

Champaran Festival at Champaran in the month of January or February - Situated of 10 Kms from Rajim is the birthplace of Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya of Vaishnav sect. Here a temple was built in the first decade of 20thy century of by his disciples. A fair is held every year in the month of January-February. Also close by in the dense forest there is a Shiv temple of Champakeshwar.

Narayanpur Mela at Narayanpur (Bastar) in the last week of February:
One of the famous & important festivals of Bastar after Jagdalour Dusshera in Narayanpur Mela, which us celebrated every year in the last week of February, contains the flavour of virgin Abhujhamdh. Tribes' people come with their deities, establish them, worship them with their famous dances. The mela is full of colour & joy.

Fagun Madai at Dantewada 10 days before Holi:
This is a 10 days long festival starts generally 7-8 days prior to holi & ends after couple of days after holi. This is a very colourful & vibrant festival in which tribes from all over the Bastar region assembles to celebrate.

Sirpur Mela at Sirpur during Mahashivratri:
Situated at a distance of 84 kms from Raipur on the bank of the river Mahanadi, is an important site because it was the capital of the kings of Sarabhapura & their successors in Sakshin Kosala.

Sheorinarayan at Sheorinarayan ay, Janjgir in the month of February:
Situated at a distance of 94 kms from Bilaspur in Janjgir district on the confluence of Mahanadi, Sheonath & Jonk Rivers. A fair is held every year on madh purnima & is an attended by thousand of devotees.

Ratanpur Mela at Ratanpur during Navratri both Ashwini & Chaitra:
25 kms from Bilaspur, the famous Mahamaya temples, the ruins of the fort & the Kadideol Shiv temple dating back to 12th century are found here.

Kankalin Mela at Charama, Kanker on first Tuesday after Pitramoksha Amavasya:
Kankalin is a small village situated in the mid of dense forest of Durg district but close to Tahsil place " Charama" on N.H. -43, 110 kms away from Raipur. This place famous for two reasons -
1. A very ancient temple of Goddess "Dantewari Mai"
2. One of the tributaries rivers " Kharoon" of " Shivnath River" originates from here.

Major tourist centres in the state are Amarkantak, Banjari Baba, Bhoramdev, Champaranya, Chitrakoot, Dudhadharimath, Indrawati National Park, Kangerghati National Park, Jagdalpur, Bastar, Danteswari Temple, and many more.

Hotels of Chhattisgarh:
The State has hotels of star and non-star category catering to the needs of the tourists visiting Chhasttisgarh. Besides it has resorts, restaurants and cafés, which cater to the needs of all segments of travelers.