Gariaband

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

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Gariaband district map

Gariaband is a town and district of Chhattisgarh. It has its headquarters at Gariaband town. The district was carved out of Raipur district in 2012.

The nearest river that flows to this town is the Pairi River, which is 4 km away from this place. There is a major temple called Bhooteshwarnath. Much of the district is covered by forest. The forest area of the district is 2,935 square kilometres (1,133 sq mi), including Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, making up over half of the district area.

Origin

Gariaband derived its name from Gīrī which translates to mountains or hills. Gariaband is a tribal area and the town is surrounded by hills. Gīrīband or Garīaband literally translates to Surrounded by Hills.

Variants

• Bindra-Navagadh
• Bindranawagarh - Initially Gariaband district was called Bindranawagarh tehsil.

Location

Gariaband is connected to major cities by paved double lane roads, and is about 80 km from Mahasamund, 90 km from Raipur the capital of Chhattisgarh. The district is bordered on the south by the Nabarangpur district of Odisha, on the east by the Kalahandi and Nuapada districts of Odisha, on the north by the Mahasamund and Raipur districts and on the west by the Dhamtari district. On the north the district is bounded by the Mahanadi river, which merges with the Pairy river near Rajim. Part of the district's southern boundary with Odisha is formed by the Tel river.

Tahsils

The district is divided into five taluks:

• Gariaband (Bindranavagarh)
• Chhura (छुरा)
• Mainpur Khurd (मैनपुर)
• Deobhog (देवभोग) - इस क्षेत्र का चावल भगवान् जगन्नाथ के भोग के लिए भेजा जाता था. इसलिए इस क्षेत्र के चावल का नाम देवभोग है.
• Rajim (राजिम)

History

The earliest history of the Gariaband district is associated with Rajim. At the Rajiv Lochan temple, a 7th-century inscription records the king as Vilasatunga, most likely from the Nala dynasty. The region was controlled by a variety of powers, including the Mauryas and Guptas. The Kalachuris, who conquered the territory in the 10th century CE continued to rule there until Marathas invasions in 1742.

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During the British period Gariaband district was part of Mahasamund tehsil. Initially Gariaband district was called Bindranawagarh tehsil. Aimed to expand public access to administrative facilities, splitted into sub-tehsils Fingeshwar, Chhura, Deobhog and Mainpur respectively. The certified documents of Bindranawagarh are not enough available but according to hearsay and certain evidence it is the administrative region of Tribal Kings and Landlords. Bindranawagarh and Gariaband were the main administrative area. In 1901, Gond Tribal Kings had moved their capital at Chhura.

Archeology of the district: The beginning of the Gariaband district starts from ancient temples of Rajim. In the district the chief religious, historical and at the confluence of Mahanadi, Parry and Sodhur “Rajim” is important ancient town. The temple is famous for beautiful Vishnu temple. Kuleshwar temple has a worship room and porch. The temples cell open towards the porch which is a narrow room, standing pillars are lined in two rows. The temple was built in the 14th or 15th century. Group of several temples in the city in which Rajiv Lochan Temple is one that. The prestigious main statues queness quadrilateral is Vishnu, which has all the usual signs. Inside the temple on a wall there are two inscriptions of different periods, one inscription is probably the 8th or 9th century. The Rajiv Lochan Temple is surrounded by seven beautiful and sacred temple. It is relatively modern. Rajiv Lochan Temple is located on platform of 18m long and 8m wide and 2.5m high. Temple’s pavilion are 12 meters long and 5 meters wide. Apart from that there are Rajeshwar Temple, Daneshwar Temple, Jagannath Temple and Ram Temple.

Places of Interest

Limitless possibilities of tourism in the Gaiaband district. Various natural and delightful places as well as archaeological religious and historic sites are also a center of attraction. Famous religious city Rajim is renowned by the name of “Triveni Sangam”, “Kuleshwar” and “Rajiv Lochan Temple”.

Nestled in the lap of nature “Jatmayi Mata Temple” and “Ghatarani” in terms of tourism is the main center of the district. “Bhuteshwarnath”, “Ramaipot”, “Kachna Dhruwa” and small natural spring exists in the district.

Key Locations – Jatmayi, Ghatarani, Bhathigarh, Bhooteshwarnath, Kandadongar, Tengnahi Dongar, Ramaipot, Sohlipot, Garjayi Mata, Rajiv Lochan Temple, Kuleshwarnath, Kachana Dhurwa.

Source - https://gariaband.gov.in/en/tourism/places-of-interest/

Tourism

Jatmai Temple, Gariaband

Jatmai Temple - Located in Gariaband, 85 km from Raipur. Jatmai Temple is dedicated to Mata Jatmai and is located in a small forest. The temple is carved out of granite with a huge tower and many small peak/ towers. On top of the main entrance, can see one murals depicting mythological characters.

Ghatarani Temple - It is another located 25 km from Jatmai Temple. Nearby there is a famous waterfall. The Navratri festival is celebrated in this temple.

Bhooteshwarnath - This village is nestled among thick forests 3 km away from Gariaband. Here can be found the world's largest natural Shivalinga. Every year on Mahashivratri and Monday of Sawan people (Kawariya) come here.

Sikaser Dam - Sikaser Dam is an artificial dam located 50 km from the district headquarters. It is accessible in all seasons. Sikaser Dam was built in 1977.

Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve

Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve - The Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve was established in 2009. They are also known for their pure-bred Wild Buffaloes. As of April 2021, there is one female buffalo, nine male buffaloes, and one young calf. With a low proportion of male to female buffaloes, the center is concerned about the longevity of the species. The center is hoping that their 25 h.a of land will allow for the species to repopulate successfully."Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve | District Gariaband, Government of Chhattisgarh | India".

गरियाबंद

गरियाबंद ज़िला भारत के छत्तीसगढ़ राज्य का एक ज़िला है। ज़िले का मुख्यालय गरियाबंद है। ज़िले की स्थापना 01-01-2012 को, तथा लोकार्पण 11-01-2012 (राज्य का 20वाँ जिला) को हुआ। ‍इसमे 5 विकास खण्ड आता है- फिंगेश्वर, मैनपूर, छुरा, देवभोग और गरियाबन्द। ज़िला वन से ढका हुआ है और भूमि का 50.41% वनित क्षेत्र है, जबकि अन्य भाग में कृषि होती है।इसमे से एक जिला जो पहले जो गिरी या पहाड़ से ढका हुुआ करता था,जिस कारण इसे पहले गिरीबन्द के नाम से जाना जाता था,जिसे अब गरियाबंद कर दिया गया है।

References

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