The Danteshwari Temple, in Dantewada town of Dantewada district, Chhattisgarh, is one of the most revered shrines in the Bastar region and the spiritual anchor of the famous Bastar Dussehra. Set at the meeting point of the Shankhini and Dankini rivers, it draws pilgrims who come for the black-stone image of the goddess the local rulers have worshipped for some 600 years.
The Danteshwari Temple is a 14th-century Shakti shrine at Dantewada, Chhattisgarh, counted among the 52 Shakti Pithas. According to the Wikipedia-cited tradition, a tooth (dant) of Sati fell here, and the town takes its name from the goddess, who is the family deity of the Bastar royal house.
Key takeaways
- Danteshwari Temple sits at Dantewada, about 80 km south of Jagdalpur in southern Chhattisgarh, at the confluence of the Shankhini and Dankini rivers.
- It is counted among the 52 Shakti Pithas; local belief holds that a tooth of Sati fell at this spot, giving Dantewada its name.
- The goddess is the Kuldevi (family deity) of the former Bastar royal family and the presiding deity of Bastar Dussehra, described as one of the world’s longest festivals at about 75 days.
- Entry is free; dress modestly and remove footwear. There is no entry ticket or camera fee reported as of October 2026.
- The nearest airport is Maa Danteswari Airport at Jagdalpur (about 80 km), with flights to Raipur and Hyderabad; most pilgrims arrive by road.
- Peak crowds fall during Navratri and Dussehra (Sept–Oct); November to February is the most comfortable time to visit.
About Danteshwari Temple
Danteshwari Temple is a 14th-century shrine in Dantewada, the headquarters of Dantewada district in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. Do not confuse it with the second Danteshwari temple inside the royal palace (Rajmahal) complex at Jagdalpur, about 80 km away; the Dantewada shrine is the original and the larger pilgrimage centre.
According to the tradition recorded on the official Incredible India and Wikipedia pages, the temple marks the spot where a tooth of Sati fell when her body was scattered, which is why it is counted among the 52 Shakti Pithas and why the town is called Dantewada. This is temple legend rather than documented history.
The documented link is to the Kakatiya line. Wikipedia notes the goddess was the presiding deity of the earlier Kakatiya rulers; local histories, including the regional portal Unexplored Bastar, state that in the 14th century the Kakatiya prince Annamdev defeated the Naga rulers, installed Danteshwari here and founded the Kingdom of Bastar, whose descendants ruled until 1947. She remains the Kuldevi of that royal family.
The temple stands at the confluence of the Shankhini and Dankini rivers, whose waters are often described as differing in colour. Architecturally, Wikipedia records four parts in sequence: the Garbh Griha (sanctum), Maha Mandap, Mukhya Mandap and Sabha Mandap, with the sanctum and Maha Mandap built of stone. A Garuda pillar stands before the entrance, and the complex sits in a walled courtyard. The idol of the goddess at Dantewada is carved from black stone; the image in the Jagdalpur palace temple is white.
| Location | Dantewada town, Dantewada district, Chhattisgarh |
| Deity | Danteshwari Devi (a form of Durga), black-stone idol |
| Significance | One of the 52 Shakti Pithas; Kuldevi of the Bastar royal family |
| Built / established | 14th century (Kakatiya period) |
| Setting | Confluence of Shankhini and Dankini rivers |
| Entry fee | Free; no camera fee reported |
| Nearest airport | Maa Danteswari Airport, Jagdalpur (JGB), ~80 km |
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Danteshwari Temple is from November to February, when Bastar’s days are mild and dry. The region is tropical, with a hot summer and a heavy monsoon, so winter is the most comfortable window for the temple and the surrounding Bastar sights.
If you want to see ritual at its peak, come during Navratri and Dussehra (usually September–October), when the temple is the ceremonial heart of Bastar Dussehra. Expect large crowds and long darshan queues then; plan accommodation well ahead.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Nov–Feb | Pleasant, dry days; the best time for darshan and sightseeing. |
| Summer | Mar–Jun | Hot; carry water and avoid midday. Fewer crowds. |
| Monsoon | Jul–Sep | Heavy rain; rivers and waterfalls full, roads can be slow. |
| Festival peak | Sep–Oct | Navratri and Bastar Dussehra; most atmospheric but very crowded. |
How to reach Dantewada
Most visitors reach Dantewada by road from Jagdalpur, about 80 km to the north, as rail and air options are limited. Dantewada lies in southern Chhattisgarh, near the Telangana border.
By air: The nearest airport is Maa Danteswari Airport at Jagdalpur (IATA: JGB), renamed on 21 September 2020. Per the airport’s Wikipedia record, Alliance Air and IndiGo operate flights to Raipur and Hyderabad; schedules are limited, so reconfirm on the airline sites before booking. From Jagdalpur, hire a taxi or take a bus to Dantewada (about 80 km). Raipur’s Swami Vivekananda Airport has far wider connectivity but is a long road journey away.
By rail: Dantewada has a railway station (station code DWZ) on the Kothavalasa–Kirandul line of the East Coast Railway, the iron-ore line that runs up from Visakhapatnam. Passenger services on this line are limited and timings change, so check current timetables on IRCTC or NTES before relying on a train. Many pilgrims from the south instead travel to Visakhapatnam or Jagdalpur and continue by road.
By road: State and private buses, shared jeeps and taxis connect Dantewada with Jagdalpur, Bacheli, Kirandul and other Bastar towns. The temple is within a short ride of the Dantewada bus stand and railway station.
| From | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jagdalpur | ~80 km | Nearest airport and major town; 2–3 hr by road. |
| Raipur | ~370 km (indicative — reconfirm) | State capital; wider air/rail links, long drive. |
| Visakhapatnam | ~350 km (indicative — reconfirm) | Rail-head on the Kirandul line, in Andhra Pradesh. |
What to see at the temple and nearby
The main sight is the sanctum itself, where the black-stone image of Danteshwari is worshipped daily. Take time to notice the Garuda pillar at the entrance, the stone Maha Mandap and the walled riverside courtyard. Most visitors spend 30–60 minutes at the temple, longer when queues build during festivals.
Dantewada and the wider Bastar region reward a day or two of travel around the shrine. The sights below are the ones most often paired with a Danteshwari pilgrimage; distances are approximate road distances and should be reconfirmed locally.
| Place | Distance from Dantewada | Why go · time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Danteshwari Temple | In town | The main shrine; darshan, 30–60 min. |
| Shankhini–Dankini confluence | At the temple | River meeting point beside the shrine; short visit. |
| Barsur (Barsoor) | ~35 km | Old temple town with Mama-Bhanja and Battisa temples and Ganesh statues; half day. |
| Jagdalpur palace Danteshwari temple | ~80 km | The white-idol royal-family shrine and Dussehra hub; half day. |
| Chitrakote Falls | ~120 km (via Jagdalpur) | Broad horseshoe waterfall on the Indravati; half to full day. |
Suggested itinerary
A focused temple visit needs only half a day, but two days let you fold in the best of Bastar. A practical plan:
- Day 1 — Dantewada: Early darshan at Danteshwari Temple before queues build; walk to the Shankhini–Dankini confluence; afternoon drive to Barsur to see its old temples and Ganesh statues; overnight in Dantewada or Jagdalpur.
- Day 2 — Jagdalpur side: Visit the Danteshwari temple in the Jagdalpur palace complex; continue to Chitrakote Falls; return or travel onward from Jagdalpur.
During Bastar Dussehra, keep the schedule loose: processions, the Muriya Darbar and the arrival of the goddess’s doli from Dantewada reshape the day, and roads around Jagdalpur get busy.
Where to stay
Dantewada has basic lodges and a few mid-range hotels; most travellers with a bigger choice of rooms base themselves in Jagdalpur. Book ahead for any trip overlapping Navratri or Dussehra, when rooms across Bastar fill up.
- Budget (around ₹700–₹1,500/night, indicative): Simple lodges and guest houses in Dantewada town, handy for early darshan.
- Mid-range (around ₹1,800–₹3,500/night, indicative): Hotels in Jagdalpur with air-conditioning and restaurants; a comfortable base for day trips.
- Government / institutional: Chhattisgarh Tourism Board properties and circuit/rest houses operate in the Bastar region; check availability on the state tourism portal before you travel.
Room rates above are planning estimates for October 2026 and vary by season and demand; reconfirm when you book.
Food to try
Bastar’s food is simple and local, built around rice and forest produce. Around Dantewada, look for:
- Chapda chutney (a tangy chutney made with red tree ants and their eggs) — a distinctive Bastar speciality.
- Mahua-based dishes and drinks (from the flower of the mahua tree).
- Pej (a light rice gruel, often served cool) and local rice preparations.
- Bamboo shoot dishes and seasonal forest vegetables.
Near the temple you will mostly find vegetarian thalis, tea stalls and snack counters. For a wider choice of restaurants, eat in Jagdalpur.
Budget breakdown
A two-day Dantewada trip is inexpensive once you reach Bastar; the main variable cost is how you get there. The table gives a rough per-person estimate for two days, excluding long-distance airfare or train fare.
| Item | Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (1 night) | ₹700–₹2,000 | Budget lodge to mid-range, shared room. |
| Local transport | ₹1,000–₹2,500 | Taxi/jeep from Jagdalpur and day trips. |
| Food | ₹400–₹800 | Thalis, tea and snacks. |
| Temple entry | ₹0 | No entry or camera fee reported. |
| Total (2 days) | ~₹2,100–₹5,300 | Excludes airfare/train fare to the region. |
Permits, rules and temple etiquette
No special permit is needed to visit Danteshwari Temple or Dantewada town; Indian and foreign visitors can travel here freely. There is no Inner Line Permit requirement for this part of Chhattisgarh.
At the shrine, remove footwear before entering and dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees as a mark of respect. Reports on photography inside the temple vary, so ask the staff before taking pictures near the sanctum. The temple is run by its management committee; follow the queue system, which can be managed separately for men and women during busy days.
Timings reported by listing sites differ (roughly from early morning to evening, with morning and evening aarti); treat any single timing you see online with caution and confirm locally or at the temple’s own channels before planning darshan.
Practical tips
- Connectivity: Mobile coverage in interior Bastar can be patchy. Carry some cash, as ATMs and reliable UPI/card acceptance thin out away from Jagdalpur and Dantewada town.
- Health: The nearest larger hospitals are in Jagdalpur; Dantewada has a district hospital. Carry basic medicines and drinking water, especially in summer.
- Getting around: Hire a taxi or jeep for day trips to Barsur, Chitrakote and the Jagdalpur side; public transport is sparse between sights.
- Solo and women travellers: The temple area is busy and generally safe; travel between towns by day, keep to known routes and start early.
- Packing: Light cottons and a sun hat for summer; a light layer for winter mornings; modest clothing and easy-to-remove footwear for the temple; rain protection in the monsoon.
- Respect the community: Bastar is home to many Adivasi communities with living traditions. Ask before photographing people and rituals, and treat festivals as worship, not spectacle.
Nearby places
Dantewada pairs well with the temple towns and waterfalls of Bastar. Approximate road distances:
| Place | Distance from Dantewada | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Barsur | ~35 km | Ancient temples and large Ganesh statues. |
| Bailadila range / Kirandul | ~30–40 km | Iron-ore hills and viewpoints near the mining belt. |
| Jagdalpur | ~80 km | Bastar’s main town, palace Danteshwari temple, museums, markets. |
| Chitrakote Falls | ~120 km (via Jagdalpur) | Wide waterfall on the Indravati, fullest in the monsoon. |
Frequently asked questions
Where is Danteshwari Temple and how do I reach it?
Danteshwari Temple is in Dantewada town, Dantewada district, in the Bastar region of southern Chhattisgarh. The nearest airport is Maa Danteswari Airport at Jagdalpur, about 80 km away, with flights to Raipur and Hyderabad. Dantewada has a railway station on the Kirandul line, but most visitors arrive by road from Jagdalpur.
Why is Danteshwari Temple famous?
Danteshwari Temple is famous as one of the 52 Shakti Pithas and as the shrine of the goddess who is the family deity of the former Bastar royal house. It is the spiritual centre of Bastar Dussehra, a festival running about 75 days and often called one of the world’s longest, which has continued for roughly 600 years.
What is the connection between Danteshwari and Bastar Dussehra?
Danteshwari is the presiding deity of Bastar Dussehra. The festival begins and ends with her worship, and her ceremonial umbrella (chatra) and palanquin (doli) travel from the Dantewada temple to the royal Danteshwari shrine in Jagdalpur during the celebrations, where chariot processions and the Muriya Darbar take place.
Is there an entry fee at Danteshwari Temple?
No. Entry to Danteshwari Temple is free, and no camera fee has been reported as of October 2026. Darshan can involve a wait, especially during Navratri and Dussehra. Remove footwear and dress modestly before entering; confirm current timings locally, as reported hours vary between sources.
When is the best time to visit Danteshwari Temple?
The best time is November to February, when Bastar’s weather is mild and dry and roads to nearby sights are easy. For the festival atmosphere, visit during Navratri and Dussehra in September–October, but expect large crowds and long queues, and book accommodation well in advance.
What else can I see near Danteshwari Temple?
From Dantewada you can visit the old temple town of Barsur (about 35 km), the royal Danteshwari temple and markets of Jagdalpur (about 80 km), and Chitrakote Falls on the Indravati (about 120 km via Jagdalpur). A two-day trip comfortably combines the shrine with these Bastar sights.
Last updated and sources
Danteshwari Temple suits pilgrims and travellers interested in Bastar’s living traditions; come in winter for comfort, or during Dussehra if you want to witness the festival the goddess presides over.
Last updated: 30 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Incredible India — Danteshwari Temple; Wikipedia — Danteshwari Temple; Wikipedia — Maa Danteswari Airport; Unexplored Bastar — Dantewada, Danteshwari and Dussehra; Wikipedia — Kirandul railway station (Kothavalasa–Kirandul line). Accessed September 2026.
