BILASPUR
Bilaspur is known for its kosa silk and the quality of its rice. It is the second largest city in Chhattisgarh, and home to the High Court. The city is approximately 400 years old. The name is derived from Bilasa, the name for fisherwomen.
Religious place
Ratanpur
Ratanpur was once the capital of Chhattisgarh. It is situated about 25 km from Bilaspur on the Katghora Road. According to the locals, the place had an importance in all the 4 yugs (ages) of Hinduism - Sat yug, Treta yug, Dwaapar yug and Kal yug.
The ruins of an old fort can also be seen. The old fort has an attractive stone sculpture over the frame of the Ganesh gate. The entrance gate of the old fort has Shiva's Tandav dance and statues of Lord Bramha and Lord Vishnu. Inside, there are the Sitchourai and Jagarnath temples.
An 11th century temple, dedicated to Goddess Mahamaya, is also located in Ratanpur. The temple was built during the reign of Calturi the king of Raja Ratnadev.
Ratanpur is also home to a temple of Baba Bairavnath, with a nine foot tall idol. At the palace of Ramtekri there is a temple of Ram Panchayat. At the top of the hill is the Laxmi Temple, also called Ekbira Temple. There is also the Ratneswar Mahadev Temple.
The Dargah of Musekhan is in the town of Juna, nearby.
Mallhar (Saravpur)
Mallhar is about 14 km from Bilaspur. It has remains from 1,000 BC onwards. 10th and 11th century temples can also be seen here.
Temples in Mallhar
The Pataleswar Kedar Temple - the Gomukhi shivling is the main attraction here.
The Didneswari Temple belongs to the Kalchuri regime.
The Deor Temple has artistic idols.
Talagram, about 25 km from Bilaspur, is known for its "Deorani-Jethani" temple. This has a huge seven foot high statue, that's four feet wide and weighs eight tons.
Other Attraction
The place has a museum of old sculptures, which is managed by the Central Government.
