Quick Facts

Quick Facts

 Basic Information:

• Location: Dhamtari is situated in the south-central part of Chhattisgarh, India.
• Coordinates: Approximately 20.72° N latitude and 81.55° E longitude.
• Elevation: Around 317 meters (1,040 feet) above sea level.
• River: Located along the banks of the Mahanadi River — one of the major rivers of East-Central India.

 Historical Significance:

• Ancient Region: Dhamtari was part of the ancient Dakshin Kosala kingdom mentioned in Indian mythology and historical texts.
• British Era:
  • Became prominent during the British period due to the establishment of missionary centers.
  • Famous for Christian missionary activities, educational institutions, and hospitals started by American and British missionaries.
• Modern Importance: It was separated from Raipur district and became a district headquarters after the formation of Chhattisgarh state in 2000.

 Geography and Climate:

• Topography:
  • Fertile plains, forest belts, and proximity to the Satpura mountain ranges.
• Climate:
  • Summer (March–June): Temperatures range 25–42°C, hot and dry.
  • Monsoon (July–September): Heavy rainfall due to south-west monsoon.
  • Winter (November–February): Pleasant with temperatures ranging 10–25°C.

 Major Attractions:

• Gangrel Dam (Ravishankar Sagar Dam):
  • The largest dam in Chhattisgarh, built on the Mahanadi River.
  • Known as the "Lifeline of Chhattisgarh" for irrigation and hydroelectric power.
  • A beautiful picnic and tourism spot, offering boating, resorts, and sunset views.
• Sihawa Hill:
  • The origin point of the Mahanadi River.
  • Scenic hills with religious significance (many temples and hermitages).
• Sankra Mahadev Temple:
  • An ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, attracting pilgrims.
• Kumhari:
  • A developing town near Dhamtari known for small industries and cultural fairs.
• Madhuban:
  • A Jain pilgrimage center surrounded by greenery.

 Culture and People:

• Languages:
  • Main languages are Hindi, Chhattisgarhi, and tribal dialects.
• Communities:
  • Diverse mix of tribal groups (Gonds, Halbas), farmers, missionary Christians, and urban settlers.
• Festivals:
  • Pola, Hareli, Navakhai (traditional harvest festivals).
  • National festivals like Diwali and Holi are celebrated along with Christmas due to missionary influence.
• Folk Arts:
  • Folk dances like Raut Nacha, Saila, and Panthi are popular.

 Connectivity:

• By Road:
  • Well-connected via National Highway 30 (NH30).
  • Buses and taxis easily link Dhamtari to Raipur, Kanker, and Jagdalpur.
• By Rail:
  • Narrow-gauge train services earlier (Dhamtari Railway), now broader gauge services are expanding.
  • Connected to Raipur and Visakhapatnam.
• By Air:
  • Nearest airport: Swami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur (approx. 80 km away).

 Economy:

• Agriculture:
  • Known as a major rice-producing region.
  • Paddy is the chief crop; other crops include wheat, maize, pulses.
• Rice Mills:
  • Dhamtari has a high density of rice mills — often called "The Rice Bowl of Chhattisgarh."
• Fishing:
  • Gangrel Dam supports local fishing communities.
• Small Scale Industries:
  • Food processing, rice polishing, textiles, and handicrafts.
• Missionary Institutions:
  • Educational and healthcare institutions run by Christian missions have contributed to the city's development.

 Special Features:

• Educational Hub:
  • Home to several missionary schools and colleges with excellent reputations, like Dhamtari Christian Hospital and CMS English Medium School.
• Hydroelectric Power:
  • Gangrel Dam supports power generation for nearby districts.
• Eco-Tourism Potential:
  • Hills, rivers, forests, and tribal culture offer great potential for eco-tourism development.

 Quick Interesting Facts:

• Dhamtari is sometimes called the "City of Rice Mills" because of its massive rice processing industry.
• The origin of the Mahanadi River lies in Sihawa hills near Dhamtari.
• Gangrel Dam's backwaters resemble a sea-like view during monsoon and winter seasons.
• It has a history of over 100 years of missionary activities, unique in Chhattisgarh.