Dalha Pahad: A Spiritual and Natural Haven in Chhattisgarh

Dalha Pahad

Dalha Pahad, also known as Dalha Hill, is a prominent natural landmark in Chhattisgarh, India. It is particularly known for its scenic beauty and cultural significance. The hill is surrounded by dense forests and offers a serene and picturesque landscape, making it a great spot for nature lovers. Visitors. Dalha or Dalha Hill is situated in the village of Dalhapodi in the Akaltara tehsil of Janjgir-Champa district. It is extremely famous among the people of Chhattisgarh due to its religious significance. There are only a few places in Chhattisgarh where fairs are held during Nag Panchami, and Dalha Hill is one of them. Dalha Hill’s height is approximately 700 meters, and it is steeped in local beliefs. It is in Dalhapodi that Guru Ghasidas, the founder of the Satnami community, delivered his final sermon. People come from far and wide to reach the top of this hill and enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding area. There is a significant influx of visitors, especially on the days of Mahashivratri and Nag Panchami.

Religious Site

On the occasion of Nag Panchami, the glory of Surya Kund located in Dalha is highly esteemed. Thousands of people walk through mountains, forests, and rocky paths to drink the water from this Kund. After walking such a long distance, they also have to climb about 4 kilometers of stairs. Drinking water from the Kund on the day of Nag Panchami is believed to keep people healthy and fit. People also believe that any kind of illness can be cured by drinking this water. With this hope, every year, millions of devotees walk several kilometers on foot to reach here and have a darshan of Dalha Baba on Nag Panchami. Additionally, bathing in Surya Kund on this day is considered very auspicious. On the day of Aghan Shukla, there is also a large crowd of devotees here, and a havan is organized on this day. A flag, more than 100 meters long, is hoisted on the ashram premises. An astonishing fact about the ashram is that when Baba calls, the langurs (monkeys) come to him. As soon as Baba calls them, the monkeys rush to him for food.

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Mysteries and Beliefs

Many stories and supernatural mysteries are associated with Dalha Hill. Experts believe that Dalha Hill was formed through geological activity, specifically volcanic eruptions. Since the Janjgir-Champa area is rocky and rich in limestone, Dalha Hill’s rocks also predominantly contain limestone. Regarding the beliefs and faiths linked to this hill, local people believe that Dalha Baba resides on this hill, also known as Dalhagiri or Sundargiri. There are numerous temples around and at the base of Dalha Hill. Some of the well-known temples include the Ardhanarishwar Temple, Shri Siddh Muni Ashram, Nag-Nagin Temple, and Shri Krishna Temple. Inside these temples, there are two ponds known as Pawan Kund and Surya Kund, which are considered very holy and miraculous. It is also believed that the water in these ponds remains unchanged throughout the year and never dries up.

Dalha Hill is said to have many miraculous aspects that remain unexplained to this day. The climb to the top of the hill is about 4 kilometers. There are said to be a total of 10 ponds scattered around different parts of the hill, but only 8 have been located so far. The locations of the remaining two ponds are still unknown. Additionally, there are reports of two lakes on the hill, but only one is visible; the other lake has disappeared.

Adventure and Trekking

Trekking: The hill offers good trekking opportunities for adventure enthusiasts. The trek to the top is moderately challenging and takes you through beautiful natural surroundings.

Bird Watching: The area around Dalha Pahad is rich in biodiversity, making it a great spot for bird watching and exploring local flora and fauna. Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Dalha Pahad is during the cooler months from October to March when the weather is pleasant and suitable for trekking.

How To Reach Dalha Pahad

Dalha Hill is located near Akaltara, 25 kilometers away from the district headquarters Janjgir-Champa.

By Road: You can easily reach Dalha Hill from any district in Chhattisgarh by bus, car, or motorcycle and enjoy its beauty. By Rail: One can travel to Akaltara Railway Station from your nearest railway station and then visit this wonderful hill site. The nearest airport to Dalha Pahad is Bilaspur Airport from here one can hire a taxi to reach Scenic hill.