Rajnandgaon District is situated in the central part of
Chhattisgarh. It covers an area of 8,023 sq km and has a population of around 1.3 million. The climate is tropical and the average rainfall is 1,274 mm. The principal river is the
Sheonath, which is a tributary of the
Mahanadi. The main tribes are
Gond,
Kanwar,
Halba and
Baiga. The economic activities of these tribes are focused on tendu leaf collection and minor forest products.
Rajnandgaon has a rich culture of sports. Dongargarh is a main tourist and pilgrim center. The famous Maa Bamleshwari Devi Temple is on a hilltop of 1600 ft in the town of Dongargarh.
Lakh of people throng the shrine during the navratris of Kavar (during Dussehra) and Chaitra (during Ram Navami).
