Chirmiri is a beautiful hill station in the Koriya district of Chhattisgarh. Chirimiri or Chirmiri is referred to as the ‘Jannat/Heaven of Chhattisgarh’. The lush greenery, mountains and rivers make it a perfect getaway destination for anyone looking to relax. […]
Chirmiri is a beautiful hill station in the Koriya district of Chhattisgarh. Chirimiri or Chirmiri is referred to as the ‘Jannat/Heaven of Chhattisgarh’. The lush greenery, mountains and rivers make it a perfect getaway destination for anyone looking to relax. This scenic town is also known for its coal mines. There are several temples and other notable places that are famous among tourists. Chirmiri is well connected to major cities via rail and road. Chirmiri is situated at an altitude of 579 m above sea level. It lies along the bank of Hasdeo River. The river is one of the most prominent tributaries of the Mahanadi River. The weather is pleasant all year round, and there are dense forests in the region which houses exotic flora and fauna.
More on Chirmiri
History Of Chirmiri
Chirmiri is sitting on a powerhouse of coal. Allegedly, Tata Iron and Steel Company inspected this place for coal but did not carry out any mining. The coal mining factories in Chirmiri began cropping up from 1937 onwards. The production of coal in this region grew from 264,000 tonnes in the year 1933 to 3,162,500 tonnes in the year 1980. Chirimiri Colliery Company Pvt. Ltd. owned these factories, Dababhoy’s New Chirimiri Ponri Hill Company Private Limited, United Collieries Limited, K.N. Dhady, and Indra Singh and Sons Private Limited before they were surrendered to the Indian government in 1973.
Places to Visit in Chirmiri – Sightseeing
There are various opportunities for sightseeing in and around Chirmiri. Lord Jagannath Temple is a popular tourist attraction. Here’s a fun fact: it was built by the same workers who built the Puri Jagannath Temple. The former is a replica of the latter.
Another well-known temple is Kalibadi, which is located only 1 km away from the central railway station. Situated atop a hill, it gives a panoramic view of the city. Baigapara Temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali. It is situated in Bartunga.
Gufa Mandir, located in Godaripara, is frequented by tourists daily. Maha Maya temple is Ratanpur is one of 52 shakti peethas in the country. Kalachuri King Ratnadev built Maha Maya. The confusion around when this temple was built continues to prevail, though some say that it came into existence in the late 12th or 13th century. The story goes like this: Kalachuri King Ratnadev reigned over Haihaiyavansi. A Shiva and a Hanuman temple existed in the vicinity. He was set on building a temple to celebrate female deities: Saraswathi and Lakshmi. This is how Maha Maya temple came into being. The oldest temple in Chirmiri, dedicated to Kantideval, lies in the vicinity which was built by Santosh Giri.
Activities At Chirmiri
You can gather your friends and picnic at Hasdeo River. It is well-maintained by the local authorities. A picnic on the banks of the river is a preferred activity at Chirmiri. Another picnic spot is Amrit Dhara waterfalls. It lies in Manendragarh. There is a famous Shiva temple near the waterfall where you can seek blessings of God. You can also attend the annual fair which is hosted near the temple. The fair was first hosted in 1936 under the leadership of Maharajah Ramanuj Pratap Singh Judeo. There are plenty of things that you can do at the waterfall, like take a swim or take photographs of the scenic sights. You also have the option of trekking, camping and going on nature trails.
Best Time to Visit Chirmiri
Chirmiri enjoys pleasant weather all year round. The best time to visit the city would be during the rainy season between October to April. The rains wash away the grime and dirt that has settled on the city due to the coal mining that occurs here. The river overflows with water, and you’ll see greenery all around you in this season. It is a great time to go sightseeing. The city experiences brief 30-minute spells of rain during the monsoon season which won’t derail your plans in any way whatsoever. The summers in Chirmiri are warm and balmy. Make sure to carry light woollens with you on your trip in case it gets chilly in the winter season.
How To Reach Chirmiri
Chirmiri has its railway station, and the nearest airport is in Raipur which is situated at 310 kms. Commuting within Chirmiri isn’t tedious, there is public transport like buses and cabs that ply through the central city.
