Introduction

Raipur is the capital city of Chhattisgarh and the administrative headquarters of Raipur District. It was previously a part of Madhya Pradesh before the state of Chhattisgarh was formed on November 1, 2000. It is sometimes referred as the "Rice Bowl of India" as varieties of rice are grown here.

History of Raipur

Raipur was once a part of the "Dakshina Kosala Kingdom". Later it became a part of the Maurya Empire. In the 4th century CE, Gupta king Samudragupta defeated this area and established Gupta control in the region. For some time in the 5th and 6th centuries, Nala kings ruled this region. Later on Somavanshi kings took rule and controlled with Sirpur. Mahashivgupta Balarjun was the emperor of this dynasty.

The "Kalachuri" dynasty of Tumman ruled Raipur for a long period and made Ratanpur their capital. It was the capital of a branch of the Kalachuri dynasty and is believed that King Ramachandra established the city of Raipur. Another tale about Raipur is that King Ramachandra`s son Brahmdeo Rai had established Raipur, where Raipur means King`s City, from Sankrit Rai. His capital was "Khalwatika" (now Khallari). With the death of Raghuji III, the area was assumed by the British government from Bhonsla`a of Nagpur and Chhattisgarh was declared a separate division. At the time of the independence of India, Raipur district was incorporated in the Central Provinces and Berar.

Geography of Raipur

Raipur is located near the centre of a large plain and Mahanadi River flows to the east of the city of Raipur, and the southern side has intense forests. Maikal Hills rise on the north-west of Raipur and on the north; the land rises and unites with the Chota Nagpur Plateau, which extends north-east across Jharkhand state. On the south of Raipur lies the Deccan Plateau.

Climate of Raipur

Raipur has a steamy wet and dried up climate. The temperature in April–May sometimes rises above 48 degree centigrade. In summers, the temperature can also go up to 50 degree centigrade. The city receives about 1,300 millimetres (51 in) of rain, mostly in the monsoon season from late June to early October.

Culture of Raipur

The festivals celebrated in Raipur include "Hareli", "Dussehra", "Teeja and Pola" along with "Champaran Mela". The relics of the tribal people here signify their legends and nature like Bamboo articles, metal artefacts, tribal painting and stone carving. The Chhattisgarhi food includes food preparations from rice and rice flour and lentils, making their food rich and nourishing. "Mahua" is an important factor in the tribal food, which is delectable to taste and the sweet of "jalebi" is a favourite among all the locals.

Demography of Raipur

As of the 2011 census, Raipur Municipal Corporation had a population of 1,010,087, of which 519,286 are males and 490,801 are females with a sex ratio of 945 females per 1000 males, higher than the national standard of 940 per 1000.

Education of Raipur

It is the only city in India which is home to Indian Institutes of Management, National Institutes of Technology, All India Institutes of Medical Sciences, Hidayatullah National Law University, and Indian Institutes of Information Technology. Some of the popular educational institutes of Raipur:
•Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur
•National Institute of Technology (NIT) Raipur
•All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Raipur
•Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) Raipur
•International Institute of Information Technology, Naya Raipur
•Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University
•Indira Gandhi Agricultural University
•Kushabhau Thakre Patrakarita Avam Jansanchar University
•Ayush & Health Sciences University Chhattisgarh
•Chhattisgarh Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya
•New Government Engineering College
•Government Ayurvedic Medical College
•Government Dental College
•Government Homeopathic College
•Central college of Engineering and Management
•Shri Shankaracharya Institute of Professional Management and Technology

Media of Raipur

Many national and local newspapers are published from Raipur both in Hindi and English like Dainik Bhaskar, Nava Bharat, The Times of India, Hindustan Times, Deshbandhu etc. Raipur has 6 FM Radio Stations namely 94.3 FM My FM, 95.0 FM FM Tadka, 98.3 FM Radio Mirchi, 101.6 FM All India Radio Bilaspur and Vividh Bharti and 104.8 FM Radio Rangila.

Economy of Raipur

Raipur was the second major commercial centre in Madhya Pradesh after Indore. Raipur`s financial system has been based on agricultural-processing, Steel, Cement, Alloy, Poha and Rice. It is becoming a significant local commercial and industrial end for the coal, power, plywood, steel and aluminium industries.

Attractions of Raipur

Kevalya Dham is Jain temple of white marble which is one of the foremost tourist attractions. The temple is also famous as "Sri Adinath Jain Shwetambar Tirth" collection of 26 small and big Jain temples wonderfully built with marbles. Other attractions include Mahant Ghasidas Museum, Guru Tegh Bahadur Museum, Kanha National Park, Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary, Amarkantak, Bhoramdeo Temple and so on.

Temples in Raipur

Raipur is the capital city of the state of Chhattisgarh. It was found by the Kalchuri King Ram Chandra of Raipur in the last quarter of 14th century AD. The population is 700,223 (agglomeration) (as per 2006). It is the 55th largest agglomeration in India according to the 2001 census. The city is also the administrative headquarters of the Raipur district. It was formerly a part of Madhya Pradesh before the state of Chhattisgarh was formed on November1, 2000. A world-class `Naya Raipur` is being developed near Raipur. Although rich in minerals, with many wildlife sanctuaries and sight seeing places worth visiting, temples in Raipur also enhances the tourist quotient. The different temples in Raipur with their serenity and wonder add grandeur to the place.

Mahamaya Temple, Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Mahamaya Temple is located in the old fort area on the banks of the River Khaaroon near Maharajbandh Temple in Raipur. The commanding deity is known as Mahamaya, a goddess possessed with all good qualities, supposed to be the blend of the powers of Lords Vishnu and Shiva. She is also known as Durga and Mahishasura Mardini or Jagadambe. The original temple constructed in the Kalchuri era has been refurbished many a times later. Nearby is the Samleswari temple dedicated to Goddess Samlai.

Jagannath Temple, Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Due to its constructional age and legendary lore associated to it, Jagannath Temple carries with itself an ancient lineage.

Shwetambar Jain Temple, Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Containing all statues of their Tirthankaras, the Shwetambar Jain Temple is a principal Jain shrine with dainty carvings.

Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple and Mahadev Ghat: Built more than six centuries ago, Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple and Mahadev Ghat has antiquity scattered all round it.

Shadani Darbar, Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Built on an enormous landscape, Shadani Darbar is very neatly decorated to arrest attention of tourists.

Bhand Dewal Temple, Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Built during the medieval period, Bhand Dewal Temple has a distinguished style of Jain architecture.

Laxman Temple, Sirpur (Sripur)-Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Laxman Temple can be characterized by its marvelous carvings on all sides of its construction, awesome to look at.

Gandheswar Temple, Sripur-Raipur, Chhattisgarh: An ancient temple itself, Gandheswar Temple is built on other ruins of even more primordial religious institutions.

Balaji Temple, Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Balaji Temple, devoted to Lord Balaji was constructed in 1610 AD by Shri Balbhadra Dasji and Shir Bhosleji. The beauty of this temple lies in the fact that extraordinary pictures on the wall heighten the imagery of the interiors. The pictures depict life of Lord Rama. The idol of Lord Balaji has `shaligrams` placed near it. Shaligrams are considered to be symbols of Lord Vishnu and it is believed that these `shaligrams` were found floating in River Gandaki in Nepal. The temple is located in Raigarh district, towards the east of Raipur.

Bhormadeo Temple, Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Bhormadeo Temple, built more than nine centuries ago, has a curious mixture of everything that can be appreciated profusely.

Temple of Saint Vallabhacharya, Champaran, Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Saint Vallabhacharya Temple is highly revered amongst the followers of the Vallabha Sect, celebrating it with much respect.

Girodhpuri : Located about 135 km from Raipur, Girodhpuri is a pilgrim centre in Raipur District of Chhattisgarh. It is famed as the birth place of the great Satnami saint Ghasidas, who fought against social evils and advocated social equality and development.

Bhand Dewal Temple : Bhand Dewal Temple, a dilapidated Jain temple, is situated at Arang in Raipur District of Chhattisgarh. Arang is about 30 km from Raipur. This five-storeyed temple is assignable to the late 11th century Bhumija style. It interprets the Bhumija mode in the regional Kalachuri style, having ornate lofty minaret and two bands of sculptures on the wall. The temple is on plan with six offsets.

Kuleshvara Mahadeva Temple : Kuleshvara Mahadev Temple is one of the prominent shrines at Rajim, in Raipur District of Chhattisgarh. The inscriptions that date back to the periods of Somavanshis, Nalas and Kalchuris can be found here. Uniqueness is that the temple is situated on an island. According to local populace, the temple formerly located in the mainland, which was severed by the river.

Rajivalochana Temple : Rajivalochana, literally means "the beautiful-eyed one", is one of the important shrines at Rajim, Raipur District, in Chhattisgarh. The presiding deity is Lord Vishnu. The temple boasts 12 pillars, on which the figures of Goddess Durga, Lord Vishnu, Lord Rama and Lord Narasimha are exquisitely sculpted. It is a fine example of Mahakosala architecture.

Dudhadari Temple : Dudhadari Temple situated near the Burha Talab, stands the 500-year-old Dudhadari Temple, which has elaborate carvings. The temple is dedicated to the Lord Rama. In Raipur City, one of the most famous temples is known as the Banjari Mata Mandir which was established by Shree Harish Joshi. The folklore has it that Mr. Joshi found a place where a stone looked like an idol of Banjari Mata. Upon discovering the idol, he started worshiping the idol and hence attracting attention of the public.

Raipur Airport

Raipur Airport is located in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India. The Airport witnessed 82% increase in Passenger Traffic in 2006, which was considered the highest in India. It is also reckoned as the sole commercially operating airport of Chattisgarh state. The Airports Authority of India started modernisation of the Airport in recent times. Air Deccan (Ahmedabad, Bhubaneshwar, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ranchi), Indian Airlines (Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Nagpur, Visakhapatnam), Jet Airways (Delhi, Mumbai) and Kingfisher Airlines (Indore, Pune , Kolkata) operate from the airport. Many other domestic airlines have also shown interest to add Raipur to their route map.