Korba district is the power capital of the newly formed state Chhattisgarh. The district comes under Bilaspur division and is inhabited mainly by tribals including the protected tribe Korwas (Pahadi Korwa). Korba is blessed with lush green forest cover, where a sizable number of tribal population is found.
Korba is often referred as the Industrial Hub of Chhattisgarh. The district within itself is enriched with all the essential raw materials needed for power generation namely coal and water. The four Thermal Power Plants (KSTPS, BCPP, CSEB East, CSEB West) together generates 3650 MW of electricity. Besides these, there is a Hydro Electric Power Station situated at Bango. Coal is also abuntant in the district. The SECL, a proffit making coal company under the Coal India Limited has many of its important mines in Korba district. BALCO (Bharat Aluminium Company) an aluminium major is based in the district.
Korba district is situated in the northern half of the Chhattisgarh state and sourrounded by the districts Korea, Surguja, bilaspur, Janjgir etc. The headquarter of Korba districts situated about 200 KM. from the capital city Raipur. The District's total area is 7,14,544 hectare out of which 2,83,497 hectares is forest land.
Korba city was accorded the status of a district on 25.5.1998. This place is rich in mineral deposits, forest wealth and wild animals. The original inhabitants of this place are the Korwa scheduled tribe who even now reside in different development blocks. On this basis, this place was named as Korba by Shri Ram Rai a Landlord.
Korba is situated on the banks of the confluences of rivers Hasdeo and Ahiran. Korba's last ruler was Dhanraj Kunwar Devi in whose palace, the Kamla Nehru College is operational.
Places of interest
Chaiturgarh: (Lafagarh) is situated around 70 kms away from Korba town. it is 25 KM north of Pali and situated at a height of 3060 height on the hill top. It was constructed by Raja Pratwidev First. Archeologists consider it as one of the strongest natural fort. Since it is protected by strong natuaral walls, only at some places walls have been built. The fort has three main entrances which are named as Menaka, Humkara, and Simhadwar.
Kanki: Kanki is a village situated on the banks of Hasdeo river near Urga, which is at 20 KM from Korba. Kanki is at a distance of 12 Kms From Urga. This religious place famous in the name of Kankeshwar or Chakreshwar Mahadev temple. It is believed that the temple at Kanki was built near AD 1857 by the Zamindars of Korba. Besides this, there is another ancient temple of goddess
Devapahari: is situated 58 KM. North East from Korba on the bank of Chornai river. This river made one lovely water fall named Govind Kunj in Devapahari.
Kosagaigarh: Kosagaigarh is a village situated 25 kms off Korba-Katghora Road on the hillocks of Putka Pahad. This was built by Raja. Natural walls protect it and so only at some parts the builders felt the need of constructing walls. From this place, which is situated 1570 feet from the sea level, a big part of Korba district is visible.
Kendat Fall: At a distance of about 67 KM from District Head Quarter, Korba, in the Korba Development Block, in Hardimuha village, there is this Kendai Water Fall which is at a height of 55 Ft. Hardimuha village is also known as Tiger Point, as tigers and other wild animals can be seen easily here. This waterfall attracts tourists especially in the rainy season.Thousands of tourists come here to see the natural beauty and unique scenery
Madwarani: Madwarani Mandir is 22 KM from Korba on the Korba-Champa Road. On top of the hill, there is a temple of Goddess Madwarani,who was unmarried. This temple was built when people said that at the time of Nawaratri, jowar was growing below Kalmi tree near the place. Every year, a fair(mela) is held during Nawratri(September. October) where thousands of local people gather.
Kudurmal: Kudurmal is a small village on the right side of Urga, which is 15 KM from Korba. This has gained historical importance as there is a Samadhi of the disciple of Saint Kabir. This Samadhi is about 500 years old. Apart from this, there is a temple called Sankatmochan Hanuman Temple, which was built by Mahatma Kevlal Patel. This village is considered holy for the devotees of Saint Kabir. A Kabir Ashram was established in the year 1570 by Shri Mukhtamani Saheb, who was a disciple of Shri Satguru Kabir Saheb, considered to be the first. Acharya of the Kabir Sect.
Mouhargarh: The remnants of the fort is found at the height of 2000 ft. on Pouna Khara hill, which is situated around 15 kms north east of Rajgamar coal mines. An encient writing can be found on one of the pillars. Besides there are some idols. The dense forest around the fort is home for various types of wild animals and birds.
Pali: Pali is a tehsil headquarter in Korba district. This place situated around 50 km off from the district headquarters on the Korba-Bilaspur road. It is believed that pali was the worship place of Raja Vikramaditya who was a ruler belongs in Banna dynasty. There is an ancient Shiv Mandir , which is situated at the side of large pond. Many other remnenants can also be seen here. This temple is faced towards east and its enterance is in octagonal. Plinth of this temple is upon 5 platforms.
The archetecture of the sculptures carved on this temple are very much similar to the Jai Mandirs Mandirs of Abu Hills and temples of Sohagpur. And it is also very similar to the world famous temple of Khajuraho. Vikramaditya also known as 'Jayameyu', who was the son of Mahamandaleswar Malldeo, built it nearly in 870 B.C. In 11th and 12th century the king Jajwalyadeo First of Kalchuri repaired it. His name has been carved on the temple.
The pond near the entrance of this temple has nine corners. This pond has been found to be water filled throughout the year. Two statues and two coins were found here while the archeological department excavated this place for making boundary walls.
Sarwamangla: This temple of Goddess Durga is a sacred place for thousands of devotees and have deep faith in it. This temple was built by the ancestors of the landlord(Zamindar) of Korba, Rajeshwar Dayal. Near the temple, there is a cave, which goes under the river and comes out on the other side as Badal Mahal. This cave was being used by Rani Dhanraj Kunwar Devi, to visit the temple daily for 'darshan'. At present, this cave has been closed. To the left of the temple is Trilokinath Mandir and nearby there is also Kali Mandir and Jyoti Kalash Bhavan.
Sitamani Temples And Caves: In Korba city, on the road towards the Railway Station, there is an ancient cave. This is an ancient place and three caves have been formed by cutting the rocks found at the sides of the trench. In one cave, there are ancient idols of Ram, Sita and Laxman. People say that when Ram was living in the jungles during his Vanvas he passed through this area.
The foot prints found in the cave are said to those of Sita. Near the caves, there is an ancient stone inscription where there is mention of "Vedputra Shrivardhan, resident of Ashtadwar District. To the right of the caves, there is a big Ram Sita temple. Near this temple, there are smaller temples, where ancient idols can be found.
Tumman: Tumman is a small village situated at 10 km away from Katghora, which is 30 km away from district headquarter in the nort-west direction. The ancient history states that tumman was the capital of kings in Haihaya dynasty. One ancient Shiv Mandir is found here. It is believed that the mandir was built during the reign of Kalchuri (Near 11 A.D) by the king Ratnadev First. Besides this Shiv Mandir, some other remnents are also found there.
Lafagarh: Lafagarh is one of the country’s most strong natural forts. This is situated on the Korba-Bilaspur road, about 19 KM from pali village in the Chaiturgarh hills of Katghora Tehsil. The walls of the forts are not uniform as this fort is a natural one. The fort has three entrance doors which are beautifully decorated by pillars and statues. At the main entrance of the fort, there is a small temple carved out at stones. This has been decorated in wonderful style. There is a big dome which has been supported by five rows of pillars with each row having five pillars.An idol of Goddess Durga killing Mahisasur has been installed at the main altar of the temple. At the center of the entrance door, an idol of Lord Ganesh has been carved. There is a pond near the temple.
Bango Dem: This region is famous as a picnic spot. Surrounded by hills, the dam constructed here and the big power house is also a tourist attraction.
