Jatmai-Ghatarani Waterfalls, Gariaband

 Jatmai-Ghatarani Waterfalls (Gariyaband)

(A blog by Jitendra Nakka)

Introduction

Depicting the beauty of the Central Plains of Chhattisgarh, Gariyaband is one of the most beautiful districts of state.  Gariyaband is the home of some of the most beautiful waterfalls. Among them, the most beautiful waterfalls are the falls of Jatmai and Ghatarani. 

 Image: Ghatarani Waterfall

Where and how to reach?

            Jatmai-Ghatarani Waterfalls are actually two different waterfalls 6kms away from each other. Jatmai-Ghatarani is nearly 90 kms from State Capital Raipur and nearly 40 kms from District Head Quarter. Just 20 kms away from Gariyaband, there is a village called Panduka, towards Gariyaband-Rajim State Highway, from where Jatmai Waterfall is nearly is 20-22 kms away. For reaching Ghatarani,  again we have to start our journey from Jatmai and take the straight forest road which after a couple of miles, turns into a kachcha road, which after next 4kms leads to our next beautiful destination called Ghatarani. 

Site Map of Jatmai Ghatarani Waterfalls

(Courtsey: www.mapsofindia.com)

            Both the Waterfalls are approachable throughout the year, as it is just 20-22 kms east from State highway. Here the months of rainy and early winter season are most advisable for visiting these wonders. As Panduka village is directly on the State Highway, one can find good hotels, lodges and restaurants in Raipur, Gariyaband and Rajim and can plan their tour-plan from there.

  

Salient Features

• Experience being at Jatmai Waterfall:         

This area actually comes under Chhura block of Gariyaband District. Welcoming with the roaring sound of Falls, Jatmai is divine spiritual place famous for its milky waterfall as well as Goddess Durga temple centrally placed in a rocky sanctum in a sharp thin grotto down to middle of the left side of bank of fall. The fall is 20 feet high (approx.) flowing with a milky cascade of Water from upstream. 

 Image: Mata Jatmai Temple

 

 Image: Jatmai waterfall with temple

  Image: Jatmai waterfall with temple

Both the banks of Jatmai fall are witness of some of the most beautiful temples of district, painted in white colour everywhere, complimenting the milky colour of falls. The upstream can be traversed quite up to a long distance. Tourists love to do hiking and climbing sort of sports. Other than the fame of religious waterfall, this place is also famous for water-sports.

• Experience being at Ghata-rani Waterfall:

Ghatarani waterfall is a bit larger than Jatmai waterfall and nearly 6kms from Jatmai Waterfall from a kachcha road directly leading to Ghata-rani Waterfall.  Ghatarani is nearly 30-35 feet wide and 25-30 feet in height with a divine sanctum of Goddess Durga on the right bank of fall, which is known as Mata Ghatarani temple. This place too holds the same importance as Jatmai Waterfall. 

 Image: Mata Ghatarani Temple

The upper most side of waterfall is formed as cascade upto first 5 feet, followed by formation of cataract up to 20-25 feet reaching the foot of the falls. The foot of the falls homes a shallow reservoir which is incompatible to store the huge amount of water coming from upstream, hence allows the flow of water downstream again forming gentle low cascades which is completely occupied by devotees and tourists. This place too is famous for water-sports and young people love to do hiking and mountain climbing in this place.  

 Image: Ghatarani Waterfall (with Author)

Image: Ghatarani Waterfall

Conclusion:

These sites are perfect picnic spots for youngsters as well as families too. Being the nearest waterfalls from state capital, they have the capacity to become one of the most beautiful waterfalls of Chhattisgarh.

            As there are some good tourist places like Taurenga Reservoir, Kukdha Mini-Dam, Chingra-pagaar Waterfall nearby these marvels, one can plan a tour including these places also. Last but not the least, my special tanks to Mr. Mahendra Sinha and Mr. Verma for their support and time, they have given me for visiting these wonders.

 Note: This citation is a part of my travalogue, my experience while going through the different eco-touristm sites of Gariyaband district. 

Read More

Chingra-pagaar Waterfall, Baruka, Gariyaband

Chingra-pagaar Waterfall (Baruka, Gariyaband)
(A blog by Jitendra Nakka)

Introduction

Being one of the most newly formed district, Gariyaband has the potential to be of the most beautiful eco-tourism site of the Central Chhattisgarh. Gariyaband has some of the most beautiful waterfalls of Chhattisgarh, some of which still strive to get recognised in and around the state. One such marvel is “Chingra-pagaar Waterfall”.

 

 Figure: Chingra-pagaar Waterfall

Photo source: Jitendra Nakka 

Where and how to reach?

            Chingra-pagaar Waterfall is nearly 78kms from State Capital Raipur and nearly 12kms from District Head Quarter. Just 12kms away from Gariyaband, there is a village called Baruka, towards Gariyaband-Rajim State Highway, from where Chingra-pagaar is 3kms east to its front Mountains.

 Figure: Location map of Chingra-pagaar Waterfall

Photo source: (C) www.mapsofindia.com

            Waterfall is approachable throughout the year, as it is just 3kms from State highway, but the last 3kms journey is from dense forest with a unmetalled stony Kachcha road, with a lot of undulations and small brooks along the road, which will test the patience of tourist. But a 5-10 mins of patient journey will led to a splendid surprise which is called Chingra-pagaar Waterfall.

Figure: Chingra-pagaar Waterfall with Author

            As told by the local Villagers, that the fall receives water from a hilly brook up from the hill, so it gets dry during summer. Hence the months of rainy and winter season are most advisable for visiting this wonder. As Baruka village is directly on the State Highway, one can find good hotels, lodges and restaurants in Raipur, Gariyaband and Rajim and can plan their tour-plan from there.

Salient Features

            This area actually comes under Gariyaband block of District. The most specific feature during the journey to this marvel is the road track of this hilly terrain, which is fully undulated with slopes somewhere even upto 45 degree. As the soil is sandy, the soil gets attached into the tyre of the bikes, and the tyre gradually slips on the road surface and somewhere its full of boulders and demands the patience of rider.

Figure: Chingra-pagaar Waterfall
Photo source: Jitendra Nakka

            As the tourist reaches near, he/she can be able to hear the roaring sound of fall from a distance of half-kilometer.  Walking along a bouldary path which is complete a dense forest, leaves you spellbound in a mesmerizing natural environment. 

Figure: Way to Chingra-pagaar Waterfall
Photo source: Jitendra Nakka 

            The water from a hilly brook plunges down from a considerable height of 60 feet (approx.) to make this beautiful fall of Chingra-pagaar. The best part of this waterfall is two stage formation where the first stage and second stage of fall are incorporated with each-other, where the first stage is completely steep and gives it a height of 40-45 feet whereas the second stage is 15-20 feet high, hence both the stage combinedly gives it a height of 60 feet, from where the water plunges down a 4-5 feet deep reservoir/pond downside. If rain falls heavily it forms more than one fall laterally parallel to eachother, where the other falls are bit thinner than the central thick fall.

Figure: Chingra-pagaar Waterfall
Photo source: Jitendra Nakka  

 Figure: Reservoir of Chingra-pagaar Waterfall
Photo source: Jitendra Nakka 

            On both the sides of fall, there are steep climbing tracks on the large broken boulders of rocks. Young tourists like to take this place as an ideal adventure site.  

            As there is no proper approach road to this place, this place still strives to drive attention of tourist from in and out of state.  

Conclusion:

This site is purely a “silent killer”. If proper attention will be given from local administration, this site has the potential to become one of the most famous waterfalls of state and country. As this place is full of indigenous butterlies, administration can promote this as Butterfly zone. Last but not the least, my special thanks to Mr. Mahendra Sinha and Vermaji for leading me to this mesmerizing place.

Figure: Density of Butterflies in Chingra-pagaar Waterfall
Photo source: Jitendra Nakka 

Read More