Gariaband District is one of the 28 districts of Chhattisgarh. It has its headquarters at Gariaband town. The district was carved out of Raipur district in 2012.
History
The earliest history of the district is associated with Rajim. At the Rajiv Lochan temple there, a 7th century inscription records the king as Vilasatunga, most likely from the Nala dynasty. The region was controlled by a variety of powers, including the Mauryas and Guptas. The Kalachuris, who conquered the territory in the 10th century CE continued to rule there until Maratha invasions in 1742.
Geography
The district covers an area of 5,822 square kilometres (2,248 sq mi). The district is bordered on the south by Nabarangpur district of Odisha, on the east by Kalahandi and Nuapada districts of Odisha, on the north by Mahasamund and Raipur districts and on the west by Dhamtari district.
On the north the district is bounded by the Mahanadi river, which merges with the Pairy river near Rajim. Part of the district’s southern boundary with Odisha is formed by the Tel river.
The district is divided into five taluks:
- Gariaband (Bindranavagarh)
- Chhura
- Mainpur
- Deobhog
- Rajim
The district has four urban bodies: Gariaband Municipality and Rajim, Chhura and Fingeshwar Nagar panchayats.
Much of the district is covered by forest. The forest area of the district is 2,935 square kilometres (1,133 sq mi), including Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, making up over half the district area.
The present Collector and District Magistrate of Gariaband is Chhattar Singh Dehre (IAS). Shri Bhojram Patel is Superintendent of Police of Gariaband District.
Demographics
According to the 2011 census, the population of the district was 597,653. The sex ratio was 1020 and the literacy rate was 68.26%. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes made up 17.97% and 36.14% of the population respectively. Tribals made up 48% of Chhura taluk and were the majority in Gariaband and Mainpur taluks.
According to the 2011 census 69.48% of the population speaks Chhattisgarhi, 22.95% Odia, 5.1% Hindi and 1.19% Marathi as their first language.
Culture
Rajim is an important pilgrimage site, located on a Triveni Sangam: the confluence of the Pairy and Mahanadi rivers. It is sometimes known as the “Prayag of Chhattisgarh”. Every year the Rajim Kumbh Mela is held from Magh Purnima to Maha Shivaratri. Rajim is particularly significant for Vaishnavites and there are a variety of temples dedicated to forms of Vishnu in the town. There are also a variety of Shiva temples in the area.
Tourism
Jatmai Temple – Located in Gariaband, 85 km (53 mi) from Raipur. Jatmai Temple is dedicated to Mata Jatmai and is located in a small forest. The temple is 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 another located 25 km (16 mi) from Jatmai Temple. Nearby there is a famous waterfall. The Navratri festival is celebrated in this temple.
Bhooteshwarnath – This is a village nestled among thick forests 3 km (1.9 mi) away from Gariaband. Here can be found the world’s largest natural Shivalinga. Every year on Mahashivratri and Monday of Sawan people (Kawariya) come here.
Sikaser Dam – Sikaser Dam is an artificial dam located 50 km (31 mi) from the district headquarters. It is accessible in all seasons. Sikaser Dam was built in 1977. The Sikaser Dam is 1,540 m (5,050 ft) long and 9.32 m (30.6 ft) high. 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 of Chhattisgarh Government Raipur came into existence letter in year 2009. Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve efforts for pure breed Wild Buffaloes.[5] Presently there is a female buffalo, a female child, and nine male buffaloes. To increase their number the rescue center has been created in approximately 25 ha (62 acres). Where breeding females buffalo to increase its numbers but now there are more male buffaloes and there is an urgent need for female buffalo to save their species.