Raigarh

The tradition preserved by the ruling family of the erstwhile state of Raigarh maintains that the Raj Gond family migrated to this region from Bairagarh/Wariagarh of Chanda district of Maharashtra state about the beginning of the eighteenth century and first stayed at Phuljhar in Raipur district. From there Madan Singh, head of the family migrated to Banda of the present-day Raigarh. The successor kings of Raigarh state after Maharaja Madan Singh were Maharaja Takhat Singh, Maharaha Beth Singh, Maharaja Dilip Singh, Maharaja Jujhar Singh, Maharaja Devnath Singh, Maharaja Ghansyam Singh, Maharaja Bhupdev Singh, Maharaja Natwar Singh, and Maharaja Chakradhar Singh. Truly speaking music, dance, and literature got fillip during the reign of Maharaja Bhupdev Singh and developed further during the rule of Maharaja Chakradhar Singh.[1] Prior to Indian Independence, Raigarh was capital of Princely State of Raigarh.[2] After the independence of the country, the princely state was the first ones to join the Union of India. The Royal family still resides here, but due to Privy Purse and internal conflicts, the royalty seems to have faded away. Moreover, the palace - Moti Mahal - is in very bad shape. It has recently been declared a heritage site by the state government.

Raigarh got its name from Garh (गढ) named "Rai" established by Raja Madan Singh at Munga near river Mahanadi.

Raigarh is located at 21.9°N 83.4°E / 21.9; 83.4.[3] It has an average elevation of 215 metres (705 feet). The Kelo river flows through the city, which is one of its main water sources.[4]

The minimum-maximum temperature range is 29.5 - 49 °C in summer, and 8 - 25 °C in winter.

Languages spoken are Chhattisgarhi Hindi, and Odia. The demographics of the city consist mainly of people from Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Haryana and Bihar. A sizeable community of Bengali, Telugu and Marathi speaking people also live here.

As of 2001 India census,[7] Raigarh district had a population of 12,69,925,[8] and the city of Raigarh a population of 364,287. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Raigarh has an average literacy rate of 71%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 79%, and female literacy is 62%. About 80% of the population are Hindus, 15% Christians, and the remaining 5% are other religions. In Raigarh, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Raigarh is a cultural city known for its Kathak dance and classical music. Chakradhar Singh of Raigarh made prominent contributions to the development of the Kathak Dance. Every year on Ganesh Chaturthi a festival called 'Chakradhar Samaroh' is organized in which music and dance exponents from all over India visit and display their arts. This event is organized in memory of Raja Chakradhar Singh Porte.

Kosa Silk culture at Kosabadi

Black Dust Pollution and its impact on Medicinal Flora in Raigarh

Kelo River Raigarh

Raigarh is well known for its 'Kosa or tasar, a kind of fine silk created by the silkworm feeding on mulberry fruit. Most of the public buildings in Raigarh were built by Seth Kirodimal and afterward made part of a charitable trust. These include the district government hospital, Mahatma Gandhi Eye Hospital, Kirodimal Polytechnic College, Kirodimal Degree College, and many others. Raigarh is home to the world's second-largest and India's largest sponge iron plants and 62 other industries. It has become a growing industrial hub for the steel market. Jindal Steel and Power Limited operate the world's largest sponge iron and steel plant 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from Raigarh city while 20 kilometres (12 mi) from the city is Monnet Ispat & Energy Ltd. The director of the Jindal Group, Mr. Naveen Jindal provides electricity to a few industries at Punjipathra to encourage entrepreneurship.

Raigarh is an old city and the marketplace is congested with narrow and curving roads. More than 50 sponge iron plants have already been started in the vicinity of Raigarh. The new Raigarh consists of various shopping complexes, broad four-lane roads, 3-star hotels, upcoming malls (Ela Mall, Galaxy Mall, and Grand Mall), and much more.

A rapid change in the demographics has resulted in a number of colonies and apartments.

Dhokra or bell metal casting is the world acclaimed art form of Raigarh. Based in the village of Ektaal, the bell metal structures are noted for their aesthetic value.

Tendu patta[9] collection is one of the major sources of income for villagers while Raigarh District is a major producer of rice.

Raigarh is known for Kosa silk, rice fields, and indigenous tribes. The nearby places to visit in Raigarh are Pahad Mandir at Gajmar Pahadi, Ram Jharna in Bhupdeopur, Teepa Khol, Maa Chandrasini Devi Temple at Chandrapur, and Banjari Mandir situated in Raigarh-Tamnar road.

The average literacy rate in Raigarh district as per census 2011 is 85.22 % of which males and females are 92.01 % and 78.09 % literates respectively. As of the 2011 Census of India, Raigarh had 55 primary schools, 37 middle schools, 9 secondary schools and 16 senior-secondary school, along with 2 arts and commerce colleges (including Kirodimal Government Arts and Science College), 1 law college and 1 polytechnic college.[10] O.P. Jindal University and Kirodimal Institute of Technology are newer institutions in the city.

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• Official government website