| Lok Sabha Constituencies in Janjgir-Champa district, Chhattisgarh (MP Constituencies) | Mahasamund |
| MLA Assembly Constituencies in Janjgir-Champa district, Chhattisgarh | Rajim Bindranawagarh |
About Gariaband District :
The district came into existence from January 1, 2012. The district covers an area of 822.861 square kilometers. The total population is around 5,97,653 according to 2011 census. The district is divided into one subdivision, 5 tehsils and 711 villages. The district headquarters, Rjim is located in the south east of Raipur and the distance is around 90 km. The places of tourist interest in the districts are Rajim, Jtmi, Gtarani waterfall, Bhuteswaranath , Udnti-Sitandi Tiger Reserve Gariaband, and Sikasar reservoir Gariaband.
District at a Glance :
| Formation of district | 1st January, 2012 |
|---|---|
| Population | 597653 (According to census 2011) |
| Sex Ratio (Gariaband district) | 1020 |
| Number of Villages | 711 |
| Literacy | 68.26% |
| Borders/Neighbor | North – Raipur, Mahasamund, South – Orisa, East – Orisa, West – Dhamtari |
| Related Division | Raipur |
| District Headquarter | Gariaband |
| Tehsils | 05 – Bindranawagarh (Gariaband), Rajim, Chhura, Mainpur, Deobhog |
| Formation of Tehsils | Bindranawagarh – , Rajim – 15/07/1986, Chhura – 18/11/2009, Mainpur – 26/01/2008, Deobhog – 18/08/1988 |
| Number of Blocks | 05 (Gariaband, Fingeshwar, Chhura, Mainpur, Deobhog) |
| Urban bodies | 04 (Municipality – Gariaband, Nagar Panchayat – Rajim, Fingeshwar, Chhura) |
| Number of Gram Panchayat | 332 |
| Assembly Seats | 02 (Constituency number-54 Rajim, Constituency number-55 Bindranawagarh) |
| Lok Sabha Seats | 01 (Lok Sabha Constituency number-09 Mahasamund) |
| Most Populated Tehsil | Rajim |
| Most Populated Block | Fingeshwar |
| Most Female Populated Tehsil | Fingeshwar |
| Least Female Populated Tehsil | Deobhog |
| Most Urban Population Tehsil | Rajim |
| Tehsil most literate population | Rajim |
| Most Male-Female Sex Ratio Tehsil | Gariaband, 1032 |
| Least Male-Female Sex Ratio Tehsil | Rajim, 1005 |
| Lowest urban population tehsil | Chhura |
| Most female literacy rate tehsil | Rajim |
| Lowest female literacy rate tehsil | Deobhog |
| Most male literacy rate tehsil | Rajim |
| Lowest male literacy rate tehsil | Deobhog |
| Forest area | 2935.801 Sq.Km. |
| Forest Gariaband | 1951.861 Sq.Km., Area of “Udanti Sita Nadi Tiger Reserve” in district – 953.94 Sq.Km. |
| Percentage of forest in district | 50.41% |
| Teak Forest(Sagon Van) | 0.37% |
| Saal Forest(Saal Van) | 22.66% |
| Mixed forest | 54.51% |
| Other forest | 22.46% |
Tourist Places :
Limitless possibilities of tourism in the Gaiaband district. Various natural and delightful places as well as archaeological religious and historic sites are also a center of attraction. Famous religious city Rajim is renowned by the name of “Triveni Sangam”, “Kuleshwar” and “Rajiv Lochan Temple”. Nestled in the lap of nature “Jatmayi Mata Temple” and “Ghatarani” in terms of tourismis is the main center of the district. “Bhuteshwarnath”, “Ramaipot”, “Kachna Dhruwa” and small natural spring exists in the district.
Key Locations – Jatmayi, Ghatarani, Bhathigarh, Bhooteshwarnath, Kandadongar, Tengnahi Dongar, Ramaipot, Sohlipot, Garjayi Mata, Rajiv Lochan Temple, Kuleshwarnath, Kachana Dhurwa.
Rajim Temple – Located in right bank of the Mahanadi river on the north-east of Gariaband, where it joins its tributaries called “Parry” and “Sodhur”. It is connected by road from the district headquarters and regular runs buses on the road. It is 45km far from Raipur district headquarter in the south-east. A small rail line “Raipur-Dhamtari” emanating from the Abhanapur and combines Navapara located on the other side of Rajim. Due to high bridge on the river near Rajim, road contacts has been established for twelve-months.
Jatmayi Temple – Located in Gariaband, 85 km from Raipur. “Jatmayi Temple” is dedicated to the “Mata Jatmayi” located between the beautiful sights of a small forest. Temple is beautifully carved out of granite with a huge tower and many small peak/ towers. On top of the main entrance, can see one murals depicting mythological characters.
Ghatarani Temple – It is a big waterfall located 25km from Jatmai Temple. In Gatarani Temple Navratri festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm and devotion. Here we sees a decoration especially on festive occasions like Navratri. After the monsoon it is the best time for visit. Beautiful waterfall flows near the temple, which makes this place more attractive The waterfall in full flow to make the destination as a favorite picnic spot for the whole family.Waterfall is the best place to take a dip before entering the temple. The more adventurous can take a hike in the woods. Easily vehicles are available from Raipur to Ghatarani Temple.
Bhooteshwarnath – Marauda village situated at nestled among thick forests 3km away from Gariaband. The world’s largest Shivalinga given by the nature sparkling in the region surrounded by picturesque forests and hills. The news comes where the size of Mahakal and other Shivlings decreses while there’s a Shivling whose size does not shrink but increases every year. This Shivling is produced naturally.Every year on Mahashivratri and Monday of Sawan people (Kawariya) arrives here. This Shivling located in Gariaband district of Chhattisgarh is called here “Bhooteshwarnath”, which also called “Bhakurra”. In Chhattisgarh like “Dwadas Jyotirling” it is recognised as “Ardhnarishwar Shivling”.
The most surprising fact is that the size of the Shivling is continuously increasing every year. Probably because the number of devotees who come here is rising every year.
Sikaser Dam – Sikaser Dam is located at the distance of 50km from the district headquarter. It is accessible in all seasons. Sikaser Dam was built in year 1977. The length of Sikaser Dam is 1540 meter and maximum height is 9.32 meter. In the Sikaser dam capacity of the 2X35 MW Water Hydropower Plant is installed which is producing electricity as well as irrigation.
Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve – The notification of Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve The notification of Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve of Chhattisgarh Government Raipur came into existance letter No./F-8-43/2007/10-2 dated 20/02/2009. Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve efforts for pure breed buffaloes.Presently there is a female buffalo, a female child and 9 male buffaloes. To increase their number the rescue center has been created in approximately 25.00 hectares. Where breeding females buffalo to increase its numbers but now there are more male buffaloes and there is urgent need of female buffalo to save their dynasty.
Therefore a clone female buffalo is being prepared at Karnal, institute in Haryana. Which will be brought as soon as in Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve to increase female buffaloes dynasty.