Chingra-pagaar
Waterfall (Baruka, Gariyaband)
(A blog by Jitendra Nakka)
(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
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
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
Photo source: Jitendra Nakka
Figure: Reservoir of Chingra-pagaar Waterfall
Photo source: Jitendra Nakka
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
Photo source: Jitendra Nakka