One of the largest districts of India, Bastar is the pride of Chhattisgarh. Adventurers’ delight and nature lovers’ haven, Bastar is rich with forest and mineral resources. It boasts of, perhaps, the best forest cover (50%) in India. Bastar also boasts of an amazing tribal population with Bhaira, Munda, Muria, Madia and Mahas as its chief tribal groups. No wonder, the place is also anthropologists’ delight. The district, with Jagdalpur as its headquarters, also boasts of several attractions, including many enchanting wildlife spots, spiritually blessed places, beautiful waterfalls, and amazing caves.
Chitrakot Waterfall and Tirat Garh Waterfall; Dalpat Sagar (largest artificial lake of Bastar); Kutumsar Caves; Danteshwari Temple and Venkateshwara Temple; Kanger Valley National Park, Indravati National Park, and Bairagarh Wildlife Sanctuary; Bastar Palace …these are just a few of such attractions of Bastar that much inspire the travelers to go on an interesting tour of the natural wonder that the place is.
The distinctive lifestyle, culture and custom of the tribal populations of Bastar also much attract the visitors. There’s a unique system practiced widely by the tribal populations of the state--the Ghotul system. Practiced by the tribal population of the district, the Ghotul system is only one of its kind systems that allow young boys and girls to live together with each other for sometime before deciding if they are made for each other.
Even though some people criticize such a custom, the fact remains that Ghotul is an amazing system and far ahead of its time.
