This is a very special & fixed departure tour program comprising Rajim Maghi Mela earlier called as Rajim Kumbh Mela, Madai Festival, Tribal dances like Bison Horn Maria and Ghotul. It includes the unexplored regions of Chhattisgarh combining with tribal circuits of Odisha and architectural gems like Bhoramdeo Temple. In Chhattisgarh, you will visit beautiful tribal region of Bastar, Madai Festival and Rajim Maghi Mela. It will be a treat to visit both festivals in one tour program along with Bhoramdeo region, as you are aware Bhoramdeo is known as Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh due to its erotic sculptures based on Kamasutra.
The highlight of this trip is Rajim Maghi Mela, as you know Kumbh Mela is the largest and holiest pilgrim gathering in the world. Everyone knows about Kumbh Mela and its four holiest places as Haridwar, Allahabad, Nashik, and Ujjain but there is a secret fifth Kumbh also, Rajim is that fifth one.
Another big attraction of the itinerary is Madai Festival celebrated with great excitement and enthusiasm by the people of Gond Tribe reflecting their rich traditions and culture. The communities of Kanker as Kurna and Charnama and the tribal people of Baster also celebrate the Madai Festival. This festival goes from one place to another location thus every tribe and each community take pleasure in celebrating it. You can witness various tribal rituals in the Madai festival like processions, ceremonies and cultural events in their best attires.
The added attractions to this unique itinerary will be the special tribal dances organized in the villages such as Baiga Dance, Bison Horn Maria Dance and Ghotul Dance. These dances will give us the opportunity to learn more about the culture and festivities of the tribes of Chhattisgarh. Chhattisgarh has very rich tribal traditions as many different tribes are living in the state like Gond, Baiga, Maria, Ghotul, Bhatra, and Dhurwa etc. Bastar is still an unexplored region of India.
In Odisha, we will show you the colorful tribal markets of primitive tribes like Bonda and Gadaba. Bondas are one of the most colourful tribes of India. The trip will also offer an opportunity to visit the biggest weekly Haat of Mali and Paraja tribes of the state. Odisha is one of the richest state in tribal culture in India.
| Day | Place | Highlights | Accommodation Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 03, 2024/ Sunday | Delhi | Reception in Delhi | Sarovar Portico |
| Mar 04, 2024/ Monday | Raipur-Bhoramdeo | Bhoramdeo Temple Visit | Bhoramdeo Jungle Retreat |
| Mar 05, 2024/ Tuesday | Bhoramdeo | Gond Tribal Villages, Baiga Dance | Bhoramdeo Jungle Retreat |
| Mar 06, 24/ Wed | Bhoramdeo-Raipur | Baiga Villages, Bhoramdeo Temples | Sarovar Portico |
| Mar 07, 2024/ Thursday | Rajim-Kanker | Rajim Maghi Mela | Kanker Palace |
| Mar 08, 2024/ Friday | Gobrahin-Kanker | Madai Festival, Ghotul Dance | Kanker Palace |
| Mar 09, 2024/ Saturday | Jagdalpur | Deer Horn Muria Tribe | Bastar Jungle Resort |
| Mar 10, 2024/ Sunday | Rayagada | Bison Horn Maria Dance | Hotel Sai International |
| Mar 11, 2024/ Monday | Rayagada | Lanjia Saora Tribe and their villages | Hotel Sai International |
| Mar 12, 2024/ Tuesday | Rayagada | Kutia Kondh tribal market | Hotel Sai International |
| Mar 13, 2024/ Wednesday | Chatikona | Dongria Kondh tribal market | Imperial Inn |
| Mar 14, 2024/ Thursday | Onukudelli | Bonda Tribal Haat, Gadaba Tribe villages | Imperial Inn |
| Mar 15, 2024/ Friday | Vishakhapatnam | Kunduli Tribal Haat | Four Points by Sheraton |
| Mar 16, 2024/ Saturday | Delhi-Departure |
We will traditionally welcome you upon arrival at Delhi airport and transfer to the hotel with assistance. We will help you in check in to the hotel comfortably and relax in the room for the rest of the time.
Have breakfast at the hotel and then check out. We will transfer you to the airport to embark on the flight to Raipur.
On arrival at Raipur airport, you will be received and transferred to Jungle Retreat in Bhoramdeo having lunch on the way. On arrival at Bhoramdeo, check in to the ethnic village resort.
Later, take a short walk to the ancient Bhoramdeo Temple to see the evening prayer. During the walk, you will meet some beautiful Gond Tribal Ladies.
Gond is one of the biggest tribal communities mostly living in central India. Gonds were great warriors and even had their kingdoms in ancient India. Gonds are still living their traditional lifestyle for hundreds of years.
In the evening before dinner, we will also arrange Baiga Tribal Dance (Subject to availability). Baiga Dance is a very electrifying dance performed by both men and women of the tribe. Their dance attires are really spectacular. The unique feature of the Baiga tribe is that the women here sport tattoos on almost every part of their bodies.
Have dinner and enjoy the beautiful jungle retreat.
Enjoy the lovely homemade breakfast at your beautiful retreat in authentic Chhattisgarhi village style. Today, you will be visiting some of the Gond Villages, which may include Rajpur, Katgo, Harmo, etc.
Enjoy the lunch in the afternoon, we will either carry a picnic lunch with us or have lunch at Village Dhaba in Dhawai Pani. If lucky, we can also witness the Madai Festival by Baiga Tribe at Bokkar Khar Village. Baiga tribes are known as the people of the forest as they survive on the products of the jungle. Baiga practiced shifting cultivation & lived a nomadic life over the years. Return back to the resort in the evening.
After breakfast, visit the famous Bhoramdeo Temples known as the Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh built in 1100 AD, these temples are older than Khajuraho temples. These are the outstanding Hindu Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, the complex comprises four temples, the earliest temple is made of brick whereas, the main temple is built of stones. Later, visit the Thua Pani village of the Baiga Tribe, and we will visit one of the homes to understand their daily lifestyle.
Also, visit the houses of the Kumhar community working on pottery at Amaroda village. Also, explore the Mandawa Mahal Temple of Lord Shiva built in 15 Century A.D. Have lunch at the resort and check out. Post lunch, we will drive to Raipur – the capital of Chhattisgarh. By the evening, reach Raipur and check in to the hotel.
Post breakfast, drive to Rajim and spend the first half of the day in exploring the festivities of Rajim Maghi Mela earlier known as Rajim Kumbh Mela. Rajim Mela has immense religious importance for the Hindus in India and the pilgrims and saints will be taking the holy baths in the rivers and performing various rituals. It is a confluence of the rich culture of the country as the people from each part of India come to have a holy dip during this auspicious occasion. It is a spectacular to see different types of monks and colorful pilgrims in Rajim.
Later, drive to Kanker having lunch on the way at Lover’s Point near Kurud. Post lunch, drive Charama village to see Gond and Yadav people making Bidi – an Indian Cigarette made of tree leaves. Most of the people in the villages smoke these types of Bidis in India. Drive through the enchanting countryside to Kanker, this region is pristine and offers unparalleled natural beauty.
Arrive in Kanker and stay in the erstwhile palace converted into a heritage hotel.
Drive to the tribal villages to see a fascinating Ghotul performance by Muria Tribe. Ghotul is a social institution belonging to Abujh Maria & Muria tribe. In the Muria tribe, Ghotul used to be a village dormitory where young boys & girls could live together before marriage & can even have sexual activities. In Ghotul, there are many dances & musical performances such as Mandri, Hulki & Gedi Dance.
It will be really interesting to visit one of the Ghotuls & their performance. Later, we will proceed to Gobrahin to see the Madai Festival – one of the most important religious festivals in Chhattisgarh. During the festival, the tribes from Bastar come & celebrate. They carry processions & do prayers to the Goddess. They wear the best of their attires, and perform folk dances & other cultural activities. After Madai Festival, drive back to Kanker Palace.
Enjoy the breakfast with the royal family and say goodbye to your lovely hosts. Depart to Jagdalpur stopping en-route to see some of the villages of Deer Horn Muria Tribe and interact with the colorful and hospitable Muria Tribes of Baster. Also, visit the home of the world-famous artist of Dokra Art in Kondagaon Village, here you can see many of the beautiful crafts created by the artist.
Finally arrive at Jagdalpur and check-in. Later, enjoy the delicious dinner of Bastar region.
After breakfast, drive to the villages of Bison Horn Maria Tribe & witness the mesmerising Bison Horn Maria Dance. This is one of the best dances of Bastar & it is equally fascinating to see the houses, colourful attires, headgears & tattoos. Bison Horn Maria is one of the most spectacular tribe to see in Chhattisgarh. After the dance, proceed to Chitrakote Waterfalls – the widest waterfalls in the country of 29 meters height often referred as Niagara Falls of India.
In the afternoon, start the journey towards Rayagada. Stop at Nagarnar village to see Bhatra and Dhurwa tribes. Dhurwa or Dhuruas tribes are group of Nomadic people from Bastar area now settled on the Banks of river Sabari which makes borderline for Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Also stop at Kotapad weaving village which is known for its vegetable dyed textile weaving by Mirgan community. Arrive at Rayagada hotel and relax.
Breakfast will be at Rayagada hotel. Afterwards, proceed for excursion to Puttasing – the heart of Lanjia Saura tribe kingdom to see Monday Weekly Tribal Haat of Lanjia Saora Tribe also called as Saura, walk through the tribal market and interact with beautiful tribes. The Saura women wear spectacular earrings and nose rings. The meaning of word ‘Lanjia’ is ‘having a tail’. Later, visit the villages of Lanjia Saora to appreciate their wonderful wall paintings.
Enjoy the picnic lunch in the beautiful mountains of Puttasing. By the evening arrive back to the hotel in Rayagada to relax for the night.
After breakfast, take an excursion to Kotagarh to see Tuesday Tribal Weekly Haat of Kutia Kondh Tribe. Take a walk through Kutia Kondh villages to understand their primitive tribal lifestyle. Kutia Kondh Tribe is basically a Dravidian language-speaking tribe who were originally hunter-gatherer.
Kutia tribal women have distinctive tattoos on their faces, few nose-rings as well as beautiful earrings. Traditionally, the tribals used to have a practice of human sacrifices but now they have stopped this ritual. Drive back to the hotel for dinner and stay.
Today drive to Chatikona to see Dongria Kondh tribe and their weekly market on Wednesday. Dongria Kondh is the most remarkable tribe in Kondh tribes. Dongrias live in hilly areas and live a simple tribal life. Dongria Kondh every week walk from the mountain to Chatikona to trade their agricultural products and from that earning buy their household things. The ladies in the Dongria tribe are extremely shy and rarely interact with outsiders. Post lunch drive towards Semiliguda through the villages of Desia Kondh tribes- another interesting tribe of Odisha. Reach to your hotel in Semiliguda and enjoy the dinner. Another exciting day ends in the tribal region of Odisha.
Today have early breakfast and the first drive to Onukudelli weekly market to see the most colorful tribes of Odisha as Bonda and Gadaba tribes.
Bonda is one of the most primitive tribes in India living up in the mountains. Bonda women wear layers of silver jewelry in the neck and the big earrings. They cover their upper part with strings of yellow beads. The waist is covered with a piece of cloths mostly blue in color, in Bonda tribe, the women’s head is shaven.
After the market visit, stop briefly at Duduma Waterfalls to see the picturesque waterfalls and scenic valley.
Later, visit Olar Gadaba tribal village. Gadaba tribe also has a stunning outfit especially their jewelry. The older ladies have the big metal rings covering their necks. The landscape of this region is gorgeous surrounded by beautiful hills.
Finally arrive back to the hotel in Semiliguda to have dinner and relax for the night before you take another tribal journey in Odisha.
Today, take a short drive and visit the weekly market at Kunduli. Here see Paraja and Mali tribes buying and selling the things in the Haat. The tribes here mainly sell the vegetables, which they grow in their small farms and also bring some chickens, goats and other agriculture products, in return they buy the grocery items from the markets for an entire week. Paraja and Mali tribe wear distinguish nose rings, the women can be seen with three nose rings and few earrings. They also have tattoos on their bodies. Later, drive to Vishakhapatnam passing through the beautiful countryside. Arrive at the hotel and relax.
At an appropriate time, check out from your hotel and our guide will assist and transfer to Vishakhapatnam airport to board the flight to Delhi airport and then connect with an onward international connection back to home.
The wonderful tribal journey to Chhattisgarh and Odisha along with wonderful festivals of Madai and Rajim Maghi Mela comes to end here.
