PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

Until became a separate state some years ago, chhattigarh was the uncelebrated dorsal end of Madhya - pradesh geography. Two years of focused publicity have brought it into limelight as a region brimming with a distinct and diverse fare. Besides the dozen or so national parks and wildlife sanctuaries and the famous tribal culture of bastar, the legacy of ancient temple and sculpture is a prime attraction.
And through the north has its share, it is the central and southern regions that are more accessible for now.
Incidentally, the traveler familiar with the pitfalls of Indian road travel is due for a pleasant surprise in chhattisgarh. The condition of highways is excellent.
All journeys is the state began at the capital, Raipur.
A town dating back to the 15th century, Raipur was bestowed a colonial facelift by Agnew in the first half of the 19th century to serve as headquarters of eastern circle of British Central Provinces.
East of Raipur, the temple trail begins modesty modestly with the small but sophisticated Bhand Dewal temple.
Hemmed in but not encroached upon by the village of Arang, the many-comered structure houses in interesting combination of black-stoned jain tirthankars and Hindu Deities.

Further, on the banks of Mahanadi , lies sirpur, one of the main centers of religious architerture.
Here are the ruins of an ancient Buddhist monastery and chaity hall, at the end of which meditates another massive rendition of the Enlightened One.
The gandeshwar temple is sirpur’s largest.