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Chhattisgarh

Chitrakote Falls (Bastar)

India's widest waterfall in the heart of tribal Bastar

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Best time to visit Chitrakote Falls (Bastar)

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: July to October
  • Shoulder: November to February, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: March to June

Planning a specific month? JulyAugustSeptemberOctober

Chitrakote Falls (Bastar) season by season

Winter December to February Shoulder

Falls thin to a scenic curtain, but easiest season for Kanger Valley caves and tribal haats.

Summer March to May Do not go

Indravati runs low, falls reduce to a trickle over bare rock. Hot, dusty, skip unless for markets.

Monsoon June to September Prime time

Chitrakote's real fame: Indravati floods the 300m ledge into a genuine roar; roads turn muddy though.

Autumn October to November Prime time

Falls still strong from the monsoon, Bastar's weeks-long Dussehra usually falls now. Best time to come.

What Chitrakote Falls (Bastar) is actually like

Remote tribal heartland: expect local guides and market-goers, barely any tourists.

Things to do in Chitrakote Falls

The local places worth your time in and around Chitrakote Falls, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Narayanpal Temple

    Temple · 6 km out

    Eleventh century Vishnu temple on the Indravati bank with nobody else there; ask around for the caretaker to open it.

  • Mendri Ghumar Falls

    Waterfall · 10 km out

    Narrow fall into a wooded gorge off the Jagdalpur road, with a viewing deck; only worth the stop while the monsoon water lasts.

  • Tamda Ghumar Falls

    Waterfall · 14 km out

    Tall thin fall in the forest close to Mendri Ghumar, down a steep stepped path; the steps are slippery, do not go alone.

  • Chitradhara Falls

    Waterfall · 22 km out

    Small curtain fall on the road towards Jagdalpur, easy to reach and shallow; a quick monsoon stop, dry by February.

Getting to Chitrakote Falls (Bastar)

Fly/train to Jagdalpur via Raipur (7-8h), then local taxi.

Practical ways in: flighttrainroad

Trip facts

How long to stay
4 days
Budget
Mid-range
How busy
Steady at its peak
Solo travel
Doable solo with some planning
Altitude
495 m
State
Chhattisgarh
Coordinates
19.2065, 81.6999

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Chitrakote Falls (Bastar)?

July to October is peak season in Chitrakote Falls (Bastar). November to February is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid March to June. Chitrakote's real fame: Indravati floods the 300m ledge into a genuine roar; roads turn muddy though.

How many days do you need in Chitrakote Falls (Bastar)?

4 days is the usual stay. Remote tribal heartland: expect local guides and market-goers, barely any tourists.

How do you get to Chitrakote Falls (Bastar)?

Fly/train to Jagdalpur via Raipur (7-8h), then local taxi. Practical ways in: flight, train and road.

Is Chitrakote Falls (Bastar) expensive, and does it get crowded?

Mid-range by Indian travel standards, and it runs steady at the busiest time of year. Doable solo with some planning.

Is there a festival in Chitrakote Falls (Bastar)?

Aug-Oct: Bastar Dussehra, a 75-day tribal festival. Time a trip around it and you see the place at its loudest, but book beds early.

What are the best things to do in Chitrakote Falls?

Narayanpal Temple, Mendri Ghumar Falls, Tamda Ghumar Falls and Chitradhara Falls. Eleventh century Vishnu temple on the Indravati bank with nobody else there; ask around for the caretaker to open it.

Nearby, and where to go next

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