A place known for the oldest inhabitant of India holding to its own culture, its lifestyle, its virtues, its dancing, its songs, its folklore, its mirth and innocent smile, Dantewada derives its name from the capital town of the district, named after the presiding deity of the town ‘Ma Danteshwari’. Ma Danteshwari ,the most revered and worshipped Goddess in Bastar region, is an incarnation of Shakti. Dantewada is believed to be one among the 52 sacred Shakti pithas of the Hindu Mythology.
District Dakshin Bastar Dantewada has been carved out of the erstwhile Bastar District on 25th May 1998. District has been further bifurcated in the yeasr 2007 and 2012 resulting in New Districts Bijapur and Sukma respectively.
Encompassing with hilly tracks, dales & valleys, numerous brooks & rivers, lush green and virgin forests, Dantewada is a paradise to the lovers of nature. Apart from the Goddess Danteshwari Temple, district Dantewada has number of ancient and historically important temples and structures. The sculptures of ‘Barsur’ lets one to peep into the glorious past of this region while the ‘Memory Pillars’ which are found in many places of the district are handy in understanding the rich culture and tradition of the local tribes.
Dantewada is inhabited by several tribal groups such as Maria, Muria, Dhurwa , Halba ,Bhatra, Gonds etc. The songs and dances they perform during various fares and melas adds colors to the calm and pleasant rural life of the district. Watching the famous ‘Dandami Mariyas’ or ‘Gonds of Bison Horn’ dancing in groups, wearing a turban with the Bison Horns is certainly a treat to one’s eyes ears and the soul a like.
Dantewada is blessed with various mines and minerals. Bailadila contains one of the largest deposits of Iron Ore in the world. The Iron content of the Ore is as high as 68%, which can easily be termed as of world class quality Ore. Similarly deposits like Uranium, Granite, Graphite, Lime Stone and Marble are also found in the district.
The tranquility of the forests, the sky-high peaks of mountains, the dust of the fairs and the drums of the tribes are what all allure you.
Over the past decade, Dantewada has witnessed a steady rather rapid phase of development in all key sectors. PORTA cabins, invented in the district, and have successfully tackled the dropout rate of students through quality residential education has been a game changer in this region. Education City, a residential education facility from KG to PG for around 7000 students in a single campus; has been ranked one among the 100 innovative ideas of the world in the field of education by KPMG in the year 2012. The concept of Livelihood college which was invented and successfully implemented in the district, had later been replicated across the state of Chhattisgarh by the State Government. Saksham, a barrier free residential education institution for the children with special needs, had been widely acclaimed by one and all. Lakshya and Chhoolo Asman projects have provided the students of the region enough space to dream of a better future for them. Bhoomgadi, the farmers society that produce, procure, mill and market organic agricultural products has been well appreciated. Bastar YUVA BPO, the biggest rural BPO of the state, has brought the silicon valley to Bastar, benefiting the computer learned youth of the Bastar division with a chance to work in corporate culture and to earn a stable and sustainable white colored job.
An ever progressing Dantewada, with a glorious past and an enviable tribal culture, and tradition amidst serene and beautiful landscape is what allure and await you.