Friday, January 18, 2013

Achanakmar wildlife sanctuary

The Achanakmar wildlife sanctuary was established in 1975, under provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. Achanakmar has been declared a Tiger Reserve under the Project Tiger in 2009. It comprises 557.55 km2 of forest, and is linked by the hilly Kanha-Achanakmar Corridor to the tiger reserve in Kanha, Madhya Pradesh.[1] The park is part of Bilaspur Forest Division in northwest Chhattisgarh, around 55 km north-west of Bilaspur. The nearest railway station is at Belgahna. Achanakmar is easily approchable from Pendra Road and Bilaspur railway station, Bus, rental car and other vehicles are available to visit and enjoy this beauty place

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Ratanpur (रतनपुर) is an ancient historical village in Kota tahsil of Bilaspur district in Chhattisgarh. Ratanpur is in east of Kota town, situated about 25 km from Bilaspur on the Katghora Road.

For some period in Fifth-Sixth Century A.D., Nala kings dominated this area followed by Kalchuri Kings of Tumman who had Ratanpur as their capital.
Ratanpur was once an important seat of power. Kalchuri Kings commanded Dakshin Koshala, area covering major part of Chhattisgarh state today, from Ratanpur. Thus Ratanpur was historic capital of Chhattisgarh and as such it has an important place in history and culture of Chhattisgarh state. In fact, even before Kalachuri Kings started ruling from Ratanpur, it has its own importance of being a city having its existence in all four yuga. It was known as Manipur in Stya Yuga and Dwapar Yuga, as Heerapur in Treta Yuga, as Ratnapur in early Kaliyuga and as Ratanpur in modern times.
Major role of Ratanpur in history started with Kalachuris. Kalachuris were one of the most prominent Kshatriyas of Medieval India. They ruled in various parts of India between 7th century to 18th Century. They had many branches. Most prominent ones are known as
Near 1000 AD prince Kalingaraja of Tripuri branch established his capital at Tamman and thus founded Ratanpur dynasty of Kalachris. This branch of Kalachris also called themselves Haihaivavanshis. Around 1050 AD King Ratandev shifted capital of Kalchuri kingdom from Tumman to Ratanpur. Various Kings of this dynasty ruled over Dakshin-Koshala (the area now known as Chhattisgarh) for over 700 years from Ratanpur.

Ratanpur is also dotted with a number of temples among which mention must be made of the following temples:
  • The Mahamaya Temple,
  • Baba Bairavnath Temple,
  • Bhuddeshwar Shiva Temple,
  • Ekbira Temple,
  • Ratneswar Mahadev Temple.
  • Girijabandh Hanuman Mandir is an ancient shrine located at Ratanpur.