Ep 3 Exploring Bastar, Chhattisgarh | Chitrakote Waterfalls | 1000 year Old Architecture temple
Namaskar friends! Welcome to Visa2explore! This is your host, Harish Bali. Right now, I am in South Chhattisgarh, near Chitrakote Waterfalls. We are staying in a resort, which is... ...the property of Chhattisgarh Tourism. This property is huge but the accommodation is limited.
We stayed in this room. And on this side, there are a few cottages, as you can see. Now let me tell you the specialty about the view here. A short while ago, I could see the waterfall...
...from inside the room. Just imagine, you are inside the room and watching the waterfall... ...how special is that experience! After a while, I went into the balcony. From there also, I could see the waterfall clearly.
Look at the creativity of the artist here. This is a sort of gate, on top of which is a boat. And a man appears to be rowing this boat. Beautiful! I will show you the the waterfall from the resort side This is the beautiful view for which tourists...
...come here from all over the world. Let us go closer. Now, the scene here is that the level of water you see... ...in the month of March right now.... ...is just 30% of the actual level of water available here. So, you can imagine what the peak would be like! Right now, we can go down for boating and... ...enjoy a closer view of the waterfall. But, you cannot go for boating during July-August.
You will have to enjoy waterfall standing here. Doesn't it look good watching from here? A short while ago, I told you about the cottages. This is the front view of the cottages. Our room! Let us now walk upto the waterfall.
The resort where we are staying is called Dandami Luxury Resort. Next to it is the Indravati rest house of PWD. Do you see this black colour gate? This is where we have to go from.
Wonderful! What a view! I haven't seen such a beautiful waterfall in my life. It offers a great view from every angle. There is so much water falling down from two sides of the cliff. Marvellous! Wonderful! For your information, it is the water of Indravati river. So cool! So cool! Whenever I think of a waterfall, I remember the waterfalls...
...that we saw in North Sikkim. Those were amazing! But this one is different. In Sikkim, we could go and stand under the waterfall. But the experience here is totally different. I've told you already that people from all over the world visit here. That should give you an idea about the popularity of this fall. I have been saying 'Chitrakoot'but the name is pronounced as 'Chitrakote.'
Now I am going to walk over from that side towards the river. Let us check out the flow of the river from that direction. Let's go. We have reached the Indravati river, there in front of us. I wanted to check the width of this river in this whole... ...plateau area, where I am standing right now. And I've got an idea.
Some people are taking a bath there. All of them are local villagers. And there are more people having a bath on this side of the river.
I feel that true nature lovers could easily spend a whole day here. But even that won't be enough for them. Like we have been here for practically last one hour.
In fact, I think not one hour, it has been more than an hour now. And I want to do nothing but sit atop a rock,... ... with a hat and sunglasses on to protect from direct sunlight. I want to watch this view constantly.
Let's spend 5-10 minutes more here and then... ...we will go over to that side, where we can see some boats parked. Let us go there and find out more about the boating facility. It took us 15-20 minutes to reach here. We walked up to a point from where we had to... ...climb down about 200 stairs. That brought us to this boating point. We are on the boat now.
Charges are Rs 50 per person. Now we are going to watch this waterfall from the front. Look at this beautiful view! Look at those people enjoying the waterfall. You can see the boat passing right under the waterfall.
Everyone has a mobile in hand, ready to click pictures and videos. There are people standing on top of the cliff as well. Like we were standing a short while ago. We will not go closer to the waterfall because... ...our camera and microphone might get wet. So, we will watch it from here.
However, look at them, getting all wet under the waterfall. Hi, we didn't go close to the waterfall. How was the experience? Very nice! Very nice! It was very nice! Wonderful! Why don't you go closer too? My camera would get wet. That is why we didn't go closer. How closer were you to the fall? Quite close! Really! You must leave your camera behind and then go near the fall. Now, where would I leave my camera here in the middle of the water.
(laughter) By the way, these falls are often compared to the Niagara Falls. It is also known as India's Niagara Falls. Do you see that portion of the cliff side? Water flows down from here as well during Aug-Sept. If you come here during monsoon season... ...the waterfall spreads to about 300 ft width across the cliff. Its height is about 90 feet.
We have reached the end point of boating. There are some more tourists waiting for their turn on the boat. Alright! We are now going to climb there in another 15-20 minutes. After that, we will carry on with sightseeing.
We left Chitrakote to go to Narayanpal Temple. It is a 7 KM journey. We came across this bridge midway. So, I had to stop my car and get down here. Half a KM from this bridge, two rivers meet each other.
One is Indravati river. I told you earlier that it is the main river of Chhattisgarh. The other is Narangi river. So, here Narangi meets Indravati, which meets.... ...Godavari further and Godavari river drains into Bay of Bengal. By the way Indravati river originates in Kalahandi, Odisha.
Though I am not able to see the Sangam clearly from here. But standing on this bridge still feels good. The main attraction of this place or... ...why I am impressed with this place is because... ...there is still water down below. And there is minimal traffic on the road. A scooter, motorcycle or a truck passes every 30-40 seconds.
Good! Take a look at the surroundings. Let us now go to Narayanpal Temple. We've asked someone for lunch near the temple. After lunch, we will visit the temple too.
Let's go! We've reached Narayanpal village. Now, we are going to eat local food of Bastar. What is your name? Dhanurjay Baghel.
Dhanurjay Baghel, very good! It is written here on your T-shirt "Aamcho Bastar." Yes Sir! So, do you have a team of persons who cook food? Yes Sir, ours is a team. Okay! Let's go! Our team cooks all the food.
Okay! Where is your home? It is right across the road. Okay! That is your house! Yes! Let's go. So, you've received training from the district administration... ...to provide local food to tourists at places like these? Yes! So, teams like yours operate around all such tourist points? Yes! That's good! So, who gave you this question? Sir, Arya Prerna Samiti! Arya Prerna Samiti! Yes! Alright! So, buddy, I am going to take off my shoes and wash my hands.
Meanwhile, you tell me what is there for lunch? You've got hens too. I was told that cock fights are popular in Bastar. There is a special mela (fair) where these fights are organized? When your bird will come of age, you would send him to fight? Yes Sir! I will take it to such fights too. Okay! Thank you! That is alright! I've come to visit the kitchen garden of Dhanurjay.
This is lal bhaji (red vegetable), which he has cooked for us today. Is this also cooked? Yes Sir! What is it called? It is called "Khatta Bhaji". n local dialect, we call it "Bhenda."
Khatta Bhaji and you call it Bhenda locally. Yes! This is Dhaniya (coriander plant). Yes! And behind it is "Kochai"? Yes! Kochai means arabi leaves. Yes Sir! Yesterday we ate what you call "Sehgoda." Yes! It is Arabi leaves mixed with dal. Yes, it is a dish.
We ate it yesterday. Great! The lunch is ready, right? Yes Sir, it is ready. Let us go then. Here is how village homes look like. These roof tiles remind me of Mangalore tiles.
These tiles are also used in Bastar. In fact, such houses are common around villages everywhere. You told me this is papaya. Aamath! Dal! Lal bhaji with rice! This is a great way to serve food. Aamath, he told me, is made by first grinding soaked rice.
Then, it is added to hot water, along with imli (tamarind) and... Paani (water). Yes, paani and chane (black chickpeas). These are the chanas added to Aamath. The pale colour is because of haldi (turmeric). You know, I've had papaya earlier too.
But it goes without saying that this dish is simple but tasty. Also, the original flavor of this papaya is different. There is a lot of juice in this dish. Very very tasty! I am going to eat Aamath with rice. It isn't as sour as you said it would be. It is slightly sour.
But I liked its flavor. And the unique thing about this dish is that it has... ...a combined flavor of chana and rice. All of you go to school? Yes! Which classes? 8th! 8th? Alright 7th! You also study in 7th class? He is in the 3rd class. Who is in the 3rd standard? Him! Alright. Nice! Dhanurjay, please help me with distributing these notebooks. These are copies for you.
Here's one for you. You can make drawings on it. Who likes to study? Did you get one? Tell me, who likes to study the most? Everyone! Wow! That is a good thing.
I asked this question and everyone raised their hand. Well done! It was a pleasure meeting all of you. Study well! Don't give up on education.
Complete your studies. Okay! One for you as well. You are a student as well! Yes Sir! Alright then! Thank you Sir! I forgot to tell you that if you want to explore local food here,... ...you can do so. When I asked him this question a short while ago... ...he got confused as to what he could say in reply. He also couldn't tell me the right cost.
He said, it was a general cost of Rs 50 per dish. That depends upon how many dishes you want to try. That is it right? Yes Sir! Rs 50/- I shall mention your details in the video description... ...so that people can contact you.
Sure Sir! Okay! It was a pleasure meeting you. You should also focus on your studies. We are now going to the temple, which is nearby.
I will join you again once I've reached there. Right now, I've come to the Narayanpal Vishnu Temple. It is believed that this temple is at least 1000 years old. That should tell you its architecture is quite ancient. Let us go inside the temple and pay obeisance. After that, I will tell you more about this temple.
I've returned after visiting the temple from inside. For your information, about 1000 years ago,... ....a queen of Chindak dynasty had this temple built. We saw ancient structures inside the temple. The lower part of the temple structure belongs to the 11th century.
But we're told that the top of the temple was... ...renovated during the 14th century. It is said that the top had falled off, which is why... ...it has to be renovated. We saw two tall rocks inside the temple. Both had inscriptions in Devnagri script. Those inscriptions give you an idea about how ancient this temple is.
According to one of the interpretations,.... ...there could be a Shiv temple here before this temple was built. If you look up, you'll see a "kalash" on top of the temple. Such structures are usually visible in Odisha.
You can see a Ganpati idol built into a wall here. It was a good thing we came here. We got to visit the Vishnu temple as well as the ancient architecture. We are leaving here now.
We met Dhanurjay again after the temple visit. Dhanurjay told me that he could also show us how... ...."Salfi" (local beverage) is extracted from the trees. It is done twice a day, during mornings and evenings. So, to witness that, we've come about 300-400 meters from his house.
You can see the surroundings where we are standing right now. Dhanurjay, fromw here do we go? From there! Please show me how you extract Salfi. Where is the tree? It is right here Sir. Ohh, we are standing right next to it.
Yes. Alright! I am going to explain now, correct me if I am wrong. Salfi is collected inside an earthen pot (matki). Yes! So, will you get the pot down or bring it down in something else? No Sir, we will get the drink in a bucket. Yes! Okay, the drink will come in a bucket.
Yes! The Salfi is collected in that bucket and then brought down. Alright. Do you get Salfi throughout the year or only during some months? No Sir, it is available only for some months. Ohhh amazing! You sent it up in just one shot! Now I understood how it is going to go up. Alright! The drink is transferred from the matki to bucket. Yes! As for a demonstration, this is Salfi, extracted from this tree.
And I am truly amazed to learn that a large matki... ...gets filled up overnight. Yes it does! And this goes on for 4 months at a stretch. There is so much juice in this tree? And I would like to know since when have... ...people of this region been drinking Salfi? It has been going on for generations. For generations! Yes! It isn't something new or recent.
Really! Tell me one thing, how many glasses do I need to drink... ...in order to become intoxicated? What can I say now! See, usually I don't drink but I am trying it for the first time. Still, how many drinks do I need to have? Not much. It is lightly intoxicating. Lightly intoxicating! Yes! It is slightly sour, slightly bitter. And one can have it after keeping it for 24 hours...
...but that would be really intoxicating. Yes! Alright, so now things are clear to me. So, I was thinking that this tree is called Salfi as well. But he told me that it is called 'Chind.'
Yes, Chind! It is called Chind Salfi but actually, Salfi trees is something else. Yes! And both the drinks are different in taste? Yes, totally different. The trees are different. Today, I learnt that there is Chind Salfi and just Salfi. What we drank was Chind Salfi. And that, there is the Salfi tree.
The time right now is 6.30 to 6.45 pm. We are about 7 KM from our resort. Isn't it? Now which direction do I go into? Sir, from this side. We will leave from this side. And we will join you again after we reach the resort. Okay, thank you so much! Let's go! I've returned to my resort.
I am standing outside my room. This morning, when I talked to you, this is where I was standing. And now, I've come back here to say bye-bye to you. I haven't planned anything for tomorrow yet.
So, I am going to spend half an hour tonight to decide... ...the plan for tomorrow. We are going to be in the Bastar district for another 3 days. Tomorrow, day after and the next day after that.
I am enjoying this journey very much. Ever since I reached here, I mean since morning, because... ....I am feeling different. Now how do I explain different feeling! Let me try! Whenever one heard of Chhattisgarh, to be honest,... ...nothing came to my mind before this visit. It is because I didn't have much information about this place.
But now that I am here, I feel it is an 'unexplored' state. I am not talking about a particular destination or something else. I am talking of the whole state and region,... ... which needs extensive promotion. People need to be informed about this place.
Infrastructure is very much in place here. I didn't notice any limitations vis-a-vis infrastructure. Okay then, I would say bye-bye to you now. Please share your views about today's small episode. I will try to being my day early tomorrow. Bye-bye again! Thanks for your time!
2022-04-03 18:06
