Destination Name
Kabirdham (Kawardha Basin)
State / Territory
Chhattisgarh, India
Geo Coordinates
22.0100° N, 81.2500° E
Primary Signify
Bhoramdeo Nagvanshi Temple & Chilpi Ghati Sal Forest Pass
The Soul of Kabirdham
Kabirdham (Kawardha) is a historic and forested district in western Chhattisgarh, where beautiful stone temples rise out of bamboo fields and deep mountain passes are lined with dense sal forests. Nestled against the slopes of the Maikal hill range, the archaeological core of the district is the Bhoramdeo Temple, a highly revered 11th-century stone temple built by the Nagvanshi rulers. The geographical highlights are the scenic Chilpi Ghati mountain pass and the calm waters of the Saroda Reservoir.
Exploring Kabirdham requires slow travel and a deep respect for regional heritage. It means studying the deity and erotic carvings on Bhoramdeo's black stone walls, taking evening walks through the wedding-mandap-shaped Madwa Mahal temple, and watching blacksmiths beat red-hot iron into wrought iron Loha Shilpa. This is a land where slow travel reveals the quiet details of rural plains and hills, where sweet shops fry sweet Babra pastries in cow ghee, and every forest ridge at Chilpi Ghati has stories of kings, sages, and tribal herds who have lived in these Maikal valleys for centuries.
The Waves of Time
The Heritage of Loha Shilpa & Bell Metal
The district's tribal artisans are famous for their traditional wrought iron Loha Shilpa and bell metal castings.
Wrought Iron Loha Shilpa
Craftsmen heat recycled scrap iron in backyard charcoal furnaces, beating it with heavy steel hammers to shape elegant lamps, folk deities, and forest animals. The figures are cooled in water and rubbed with mustard oil to prevent rust.
Wrought iron Loha Shilpa is highly valued for its clean minimalist lines.
- Formed entirely from recycled metal sheets and building iron rods
- Made without using modern welding tools or design templates
- Represents local folk deities, forest deer, birds, and tall oil lamps
Bell Metal Dhokra craft
Non-ferrous metal castings prepared using the lost-wax technique. Artisans shape clay cores, cover them with fine wax threads, and encase them in outer molds to receive molten brass.
Figures represent traditional village deities, animal shapes, and lamps.
- Every single Dhokra bell metal casting requires a separate mold
- Uses local beeswax, organic resins, and fine river clay
- Crafted by local metal smiths in rural blocks
Maikal Basin Clay Pottery
Potters harvest silty clay from Maikal hill streams, throwing it on manual wheels to shape curd jars and water pots. The pottery is baked in open pit kilns.
The clay pots keep drinking water naturally cool during warm plains summers.
- Fine silty clay ensures smooth textures and thermal insulation
- Baked in wood-fired village kilns without chemical glazes
- Entirely handmade inside family workshops in Kawardha
The Nagvanshi Temple & Forest Passes
Explore the primary destinations in Kabirdham District. Each site presents a different facet of the region—from the Bhoramdeo Temple to the Chilpi Ghati sal pass.
Bhoramdeo Temple
Tap to Flip →Bhoramdeo Temple
An 11th-century stone temple dedicated to Shiva, famous for its detailed deity and erotic carvings.
Madwa Mahal wedding Temple
Tap to Flip →Madwa Mahal
A historic stone Shiva temple shaped like a marriage mandap, built by Nagvanshi rulers to celebrate a royal wedding.
Chilpi Ghati sal forest pass
Tap to Flip →Chilpi Ghati
A beautiful mountain pass in the Maikal hill range, lined with dense Sal forests.
Saroda Reservoir Lake
Tap to Flip →Saroda Reservoir
A scenic lake situated amidst Maikal hills offering boating and picnic spots.
Cherki Mahal brick shrine
Tap to Flip →Cherki Mahal
An ancient brick temple dedicated to Shiva, once used by local shepherds (Cherkis) for worship.
The Sweet Babra & Savory Chila
Kabirdham's food is famous for its sweet jaggery-based pastries and steamed rice crepes.
Traditional Sweet Babra
A deep-fried sweet pastry prepared from wheat flour and jaggery paste, flavored with fennel seeds, fried in cow ghee.
Tasted at: Sweet shops in Kawardha town bazaarRice Flour Chila
Thin, crispy crepes prepared from ground rice batter, fermented, and served with spicy tomato chutney.
Purchased at: Morning street marketsSavory Steamed Fara
Steamed logs made of left-over rice kneaded with flour, seasoned with sesame seeds and curry leaves.
Sipped at: Local village kiosksPlan Your Journey
How to Reach Kawardha
🌡️ Best Time to Visit
Cool pleasant plains weather (12°C to 28°C). Ideal for walking Bhoramdeo ruins, visiting Chilpi Ghati, and shopping crafts.
Moderate monsoon rains. The hills are green, Chilpi Ghati looks beautiful, though forest roads can be muddy.
Hot, dry climate with temperatures reaching up to 42°C. Outdoor travel is recommended only in morning hours.
The Unhurried 3-Day Route
Kabirdham's ancient temples and forest passes demand slow travel. Walking along the stone paths, visiting the reservoir, and watching crafts require time.
Day 1: Bhoramdeo & Madwa Mahal
09:30 AM: Visit Bhoramdeo Temple; explore the stone carvings and relief panels.
01:30 PM: Enjoy traditional lunch featuring sweet Babra at a town restaurant.
03:30 PM: Visit Madwa Mahal and Cherki Mahal brick ruins.
Day 2: Chilpi Ghati sal forest pass
08:30 AM: Drive up to Chilpi Ghati; take walks in the dense sal forests.
01:30 PM: Enjoy simple picnic lunch near the hill pass.
03:30 PM: Walk through local Baiga tribal villages; study forest life.
Day 3: Saroda Reservoir & Wrought Iron
09:00 AM: Visit Saroda Reservoir; enjoy boating and lake views.
01:30 PM: Enjoy traditional lunch at a local dhaba near NH 30.
03:30 PM: Visit wrought iron workshops; buy Loha Shilpa lamps and figures.
Frequently Asked
Fast Trivia & Curiosities
Nagvanshi Crest
The Phani Nagvanshi dynasty claimed descent from the mythological snake king, utilizing cobra hood carvings as their royal crest.
Baiga Tribe
The Chilpi Ghati forests are home to the Baiga tribe, celebrated as traditional healers who have deep knowledge of forest medicinal herbs.
Clay marriage
The term "Madwa" means marriage canopy in the local dialect, referring to the temple's mandap structural layout.