Rajnandgaon district is a district, as well as the name of the primary town in the district, in the state of Chhattisgarh. The population of the city is 143,727 (2001 census). Asia's only Performing Art and Music University is located in the town of Khairagarh. The District Rajnandgaon is in the central part of Chhattisgarh. The District headquarter Rajnandgaon is on the Bombay - Howrah line of southeastern railways. The National Highway 6 (Great Eastern Road) also passes through the town of Rajnandgaon. The nearest airport to the District is at Mana(Raipur), about 80 kms away.
The District Rajnandgaon came into existence on 26th Jan' 1973, by way of division of District Durg. The Rajnandgaon state was ruled by Somvanshis, Kalchuris and Marathas. The Rajnandgaon was originally named as Nandgram. The Palaces in the town of Rajnandgaon reveals its own tale of the rulers, their society & culture and the splendid tradition during that time. The contribution of Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh, Padumlal Punnalal Bakshi and Baldeo Prasad Mishra in the field of Hindi literature has a special mention. The District Kawardha was latter bifurcated from the District on 1st July 1998.
Rajnandgaon is home to the Gond, Kanwar, Halba and Baiga tribes, who make up one fourth of the area's population. They live in dense forestsin far-flung areas and their main source of livelihood is tendu leaf collection and cultivation of minor forest products.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Dongargarh: This pilgrimage place, 40 km from Rajnandgaon, has the temples of Badi Bambleshwari (on a 1600 ft hilltop) and Choti Bambleshwari (at ground level). Thousands of pilgrims visit it during the navarathris of Kavar (during Dassera) and Chaitra (during Ramnavmi), to worship and enjoy the dya-and-night melas (fairs) organized in the temple premises. Dongargarh also has Chhattisgarh's only passenger ropeway.
