Bhilai

The district of Durg of the Indian state of Chhattisgarh contains this place called Bhilai. The distance between Raipur and Bhilai is 25 Kms. The famous steel plant named SAIL that is the Bhilai Steel Plant, which is also counted at one of the biggest steel plants in India, is present here.

Previously, Bhilai was just an isolated and secluded village; however the establishment of the steel plant here in the year 1955 changed this village from being a remote village to the second biggest city in the state of Chhattisgarh. Along with this steel plant, there are numerous mines present. Education wise, Bhilai is not lagging behind. Some renowned top class engineering institutes are present in some portions of Durg and Bhilai.

Bhilai is rich and diverse culture wise. The dwellers of Bhilai hail from different religious background and of different origins. Diverse festivals are thus celebrated here like Durga Puja of Bengal, Maharashtra’s Ganesh Chaturthi, Karnataka’s Ugadi, Pongal of Tamil Nadu and Eid.

The man attractions of Bhilai consist of the Maitri Bagh, several beautiful temples such as the Hanumanji temple, Sidhi Vinayaka Temple, Balaji Temples etc.

                                PLACES TO SEE IN BHILAI

Bhilai Steel Plant: In the year 1959, the foundation of the Bhilai Steel Plant took place. With the aid and support of the Soviet Union, this place was established. Rails, structural items like beams, channels, crossings and sleepers, plates and wide road are some of the main manufacturing products of the steel plant.    

                  

Dhamdha: On the route between Durg and Bemetara, there is one place named Dhamdha. It is located at a distance of 35 Kms from Bhilai. Out of the attractions to see here, there is one ancient fort and a temple.     

                

Maitri Bagh-Zoo: This zoo is made into a park as well as a zoo. The Bhilai Steel Plant has established this structure adjacent to the two numbers of water bodies. The name Maitri Bagh stands for ‘friendship garden’. This place represents the accord and peace between two countries namely India and the USSR. The musical fountain and the shows related to it are the main attraction of this place.     

                

Numerous beautiful gardens, a sparkling lake, an artificial waterfall, a musical fountain and also an enjoyable toy train are some of the features of Maitri Bagh. Also, another structure named the Pragati Minar is present here, which offers a good view of the Maitri Bagh Park and also of the steel plant.

Ganga Maiya Temple: The temple is located at a distance of 60 Kms from the main town region of Bhilai, at Jhalmala. As per the mythical stories, it is so believed that a fisherman found the statue of the goddess in his fishing net; however he did not see the idol and thus it went ignored by him. Another dweller in the same village had a dream that he was being instructed for recovering the idol and then setting it up in a hut close to the village. Bhikam Chand Tiwari built a temple in its place at a much later time period.  

 

Temples: There are several temples present in Bhilai such as the Hanumanji temple, Sidhi Vinayaka Temple, Balaji Temples, etc. The Shiv Temple, which is situated at a distance of 3 Kms from Bhilai, is the most ancient. At a distance of 2 Kms from Durg, there are the Pasharvwanath Tirth and the Jain Temple.

                                   HOW TO REACH BHILAI

By Air: The closest air terminal is located in Raipur, set at a distance of 42 Kms from Bhilai.

By Rail: Bhilai has its own railway stations.

By Road: Buses, taxis and private cars are available for the road transportation.