Bhilai

Bhilai, which is also known as the Bhilai Nagar, is located in the Durg district of Chhattisgarh.
It is the second largest city of the state, located at a distance of about 32 km from Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh. Bhilai holds one of the largest steel plants in India, which is known as the Bhilai Steel Plant.  It is the first plant in the country that was credited with the ISO 9002 quality certification. Besides the steel plant, there are several other factories and mines that support the economy of this place. The city is also very much rich in culture, as the people from different religions inhabit this place. Bhilai witnesses the celebration of various festivals belonging to different cultures throughout the year. The place is also known for its numerous religious sites.

Attractions

Dhamda- It is a popular tourist spot in Bhilai, located at a distance of about 35 km from the city. Dhamda lies on the way from Durg to Bemetara and the place houses an ancient fort and a temple. It is also facilitated with restaurants and accommodation for overnight stays.

Ganga Maiya Temple- Ganga Maiya temple is situated at Jhalma, at a distance of about 60 km from the main town of Bhilai. The main deity of the temple is said to have been established by a local fisherman. The main deity of this temple is very much revered by the locals of this region.

Tandula Dam- The dam is located at a distance of about 60 km from Bhilai and is constructed on the Tandula River. It is a scenic spot and a popular picnic destination of the place, which is visited by a large number of tourists during the winter season.

Civic Centre- It is a chief shopping hub of Bhilai, which holds a number of social and amusement activities. The shopping centre has undergone several changes over the years and it also includes a children’s garden, which is equipped with a toy-train, though not operational. The place has a supermarket, which is used for art-exhibitions. At the eastern side of the Civic-Centre, is an ‘Open Air Theatre’, where a number of cultural activities and musical nights are organized.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit the place is during the winters, which is during the months of October to March. The place experiences a mild and pleasant climate during this time of the year, which is ideal for various outdoor activities.

Accommodation

The place is dotted with several budget and mid budget class hotels that are available at reasonable rates. These hotels are equipped with almost all the modern day amenities ensuring that you will have a comfortable stay at these places.

How to Reach

By Air: The nearest airport to this place is the Raipur airport, located at a distance of about 42 km. The airport conducts regular flights to places like Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmadabad etc. Local and hired taxis are available from the airport to get to the place.

By Train: The nearest railway station to this place is Durg Railway Station, located at a distance of about 9 km. The station is well linked with various cities in the country like Bhopal, Nagpur, Puri, Vishakhapatnam, Bilaspur, Howrah, Chapra etc. Tourists will get local as well as hired taxis from outside the station to get to the city.

By Road: Bhilai has a well established network of roads that connects it with different parts in the state as well as the neighboring states. The city receives regular public and private buses along with the taxi services from places like Raipur (32 km), Durg (11 km), Bilaspur (137 km), Gondia (158 km), Tumsar (227 km) and Nagpur (255 km).