Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh - carved out of Madhya Pradesh in 2000 - remains one of India's most pristine wildernesses. The state is 44% forest cover, supports tigers in Indravati and Achanakmar reserves, and is home to 32 tribal groups whose haats (weekly markets), masks, and dances are still entirely living traditions. Chitrakote Falls - often called the 'Niagara of India' - is the country's widest waterfall, particularly spectacular during monsoon when the Indravati river thunders over a 300-metre horseshoe drop. Nearby, the limestone Kutumsar Caves descend 35 metres underground into chambers filled with stalactites and blind cave fish. Tirathgarh Falls cascades down five tiers through deep sal forest. Bastar's tribal villages - Jagdalpur, Kanger, Kondagaon - produce extraordinary metal-cast Dhokra art (a 4,000-year-old technique). Raipur, the modern capital, gives access to the wildlife reserves and to Sirpur - a 5th-century Buddhist site with rock-cut temples. For those seeking authentic, uncrowded tribal India and waterfalls outside the tourist machine, Chhattisgarh is unmatched.