History of Kanker :- The History of Kanker is started from Stone era. With reference of Ramayana and Mahabharata there was a dense forest area named Dandakaranya and the Kanker state belonged to Dandakaranya. According to myths the Kanker was the land of monks. A lot of Rishis (monks) named Kank, Lomesh, Shringi, Angira were lived here. In sixth century before Christ the region was affected by Buddhism. The ancient history of Kanker tells that it remained always independent state. Kanker is full of small hilly pockets.5 rivers run through it –Doodh,Mahanadi, Hatkul, Sindur and Turu.
Kanker – Art and Culture
The tribal society of Kanker is famous for their excellencies in making exotic handicrafts with a variety of designs and shapes. These handicrafts include wood-carvings, bell-metal items, terracotta items, bamboo items etc. Kanker, Being nestled among thick forest, the district possess a good qualities of woods from which very attractive wooden-carving crafts and various types of furniture are being made by the skilled hands. These items attract locals as well as outsiders.
The people of Kanker also excels in making wood and bamboo crafts.This is one of the most famous, beautiful and unique art of wooden carving of tribes. These wooden crafts are made out of the finest teak wood and white wood. The wooden crafts include models, idols, wall panels and furniture items. These handicrafts are generally exported to different places of the country and it has demand even from foreign countries also. The tribes are excellent in making bamboo crafts also. Bamboo crafts include wall hanging, table lamp and table mats are some of the finest creation of the tribes.
Best time to visit Kanker
The best time to make a visit to the Kanker district is from October through March when the temperature is pleasent and ideal for visiting the place.
Kanker Palace
This place is very renowned for its royal palace including the tribal villages and the deep forests. The possession of the palace is with the esteemed royal family that belonged to the 12th century. The family of Late Maharajadhiraj Udai Pratap Deo resided here, since 2002. Now some section of the palace is being converted into a hotel.
Maa Sinhvasini Temple
Sinhvasini Maa Temple is an extremely revered shrine situated in Kanker city. The presiding deity is unusually a combination of two goddess-Goddess Kali and one considers the idol in a vertical manner. One helf is Goddess Kali, the remaining half being that of Goddess Durga.
Gadiya Mountain
Gadiya Pahad, also known as Kila Dongri, is the highest mountain in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. It resembles a fort and was the capital of Dharma Dev - a king of Kandra dynasty. Gadiya Pahad is noted for a tank, which never dries up even in hot summers. The tank has two parts, namely, Sonai and Rupai, which is named after the two daughters of the king. Churi Pagar, believed to have been used by the king during any outer attacks, can be seen at the southern part of the tank. Gadiya Pahad is also inclusive of Jogi cave with a length of 50 meters. Saints used to live and meditate here in ancient times. The Doodh River flows beneath the Gadiya Mountain.
Malanjhkudum Waterfalls
These 3 falls, 10, 15 and 9 meters in height, 15 km from Kanker, on the Doodh river, make for a superb picnic spot. There is a road to the falls
Charre-Marre Waterfall
A 16 meter high, zig zag waterfall on the Jogi river, 17 km from Antagarh, on the way to Aamabera.
