Dhamtari district in Chhattisgarh is a popular place to visit due to various reasons. The district is situated right on the banks of River Mahanadi and proves to be a great spot for wildlife sanctuaries to thrive at its best. The district is full of sanctuaries, national parks, dams, places of worship and so much more. You can easily reach the district by taking a plane, train or even the bus. The best time to visit Dhamtari is during the winters when the weather is pleasant to roam around and go sightseeing. Tourism in Dhamtari is famous due to the unique things one can do while they are there. Along with that there are several places to see and absorb the culture and traditions of the region. From going on a pilgrimage, visiting sanctuaries to visiting quaint villages, our travel guide to Dhamtari will give you a better idea on how to plan your trip.

By Air:

The best way to get to Dhamtari by air is to take a flight to Swami Vivekananda International Airport in Raipur which is  distanced at 70.4 km from the district. Several flights carriers will take you back and forth to Raipur from different important cities in the country. You can easily find public transportation when you get off at the airport to reach your destination.

By Road:

Dhamtari disctrict is well linked with other parts of the state as well as cities in neighbouring states. You can drive up there by car through well maintained highways or you can choose to take a state run bus or an overnight bus that will take you back and forth from adjacent states. This is the most economical way to travel to Dhamatari.

By Rail:

The simplest way to travel to Dhamtari district is by rail; the closest railhead is situated at a distance of 2.3 km and is known by the name of Dhamtari Railway Station. You can find several trains that bring you to Dhamatari from major cities in the country. Once you reach the train station, you can always take local transportation to reach your destination in the district.

Getting Around:

Since Dhamatari is a popular place for tourism in Chhattisgarh, local transportation is present and is quite affordable as well. If you want to get around the district, you can use buses provided by the government or use autorickshwas or cabs to travel around the place and go sightseeing in a cost effective way.

Summer (April-June):

Summers are the most brutal months in Dhamtari, as it is in any other region in Chhattisgarh. Temperatures are soaring and range between 30°C-42°C, making the region very hot along with heat waves. This is not the most appropriate time go visit, due to extreme weather conditions. But at the same time you will see people in Dhamtari all year round.

Monsoon (July-October):

Bringing in some respite to the region and its people, the monsoon season starts in the month of July. Temperatures during this time range from 22°C-30°C with a lot of cool winds and thunderstorms. This is a good time to visit as the rains are moderate and the weather is quite comfortable for sightseeing. This is a recommended season to visit Dhamtari.

Winter (November-March):

Winter is one of the best seasons to visit Dhamtari with absolute pleasant weather and windy nights. Temperatures during winters range from 15°C-28°C which makes the region very cold and absolutely amazing for tourism. Most people visit during this time to feel the place in and its authenticity.

Visit Temples:

Dhamtari has quite a few places of worship in the district that s worth visiting. The Bilai Mata Mandir is one of the most visited Hindu temples in the district that sees numerous pilgrims coming in every year for visits. You can also visit Sihava to see different temples by the Mahanadi River and complete your pious journey.

Experience the Culture of Locals:

You can explore and experience the local culture by visiting the villages in and around the district. Visit the village of Hitali to get a feel of the real Dhamtari district; the locals living in these villages have a particular lifestyle that is unique and can be observed by visitors. You can also visit Dondki to get a similar experience.

Visit a Church:

If there are temples in Dhamtari, there are churches as well. A crucial part of Mennonite World Conference of India, the Sundarganj Menonnite Church is a famous place of worship for Catholics as well as people of different faith. This is a peaceful church and you can visit any time of day. The church is also well decorated during festivals.

See a Heritage Hotel:

While visiting Dhamtari, make sure you learn about the historical aspects of the place. Go ahead and visit the Kanker Palace to get a feel of the ancient times when the kings would live in the palace. The Kanker Palace has now been converted into a heritage hotel where you can stay for a day and experience life lives by the royal family.

Spend a day at a Dam:

The Mahanadi River is close to Dhamtari and there are numerous dams in the region that produce hydro electricity for the benefit of the district. The place where the water falls from the dam make up for a great place for families to enjoy rehabilitation activities like swimming. Famous dams in the district include Madamsilli Dam and Gangrel Dam.

Every place has its own local cuisine, some of which is very hard to find but not impossible. The district of Dhamtari also has a few options where you can find good food. On Rudri road you will find a restaurant by the name of Hariyali Restaurant; this restaurant serves delicious vegetarian as well as non vegetarian meals that are scrumptious. If you are looking for South Indian food, you can go to Hinduja restaurant on Sihava Chowk or you can sit by the Route 30 Café to enjoy a great cup of coffee. Other famous restaurants in the vicinity include Tidbit Fast Food, EATS, Niranjana Restaurant and many more.

There are not too many places to shop from in Dhamtari as it is a very small district and most parts of the district have rural villages with no shopping zone. But, what you can do is shop from local artifacts and handicrafts when you visit villages like Dondki and Hitali. The locals there hand make several items like necklaces, earrings, accessories, clothes, shoes and a lot more. This is shopping done in a more authentic way and it is frankly the best way to understand a region. You can find items like bracelets, tribal necklaces, shawls, bangles and so much more at these local places that you will not want to go to the mall anymore; the shopping experience here is unique.