Dongargarh

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}

{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}

{{more citations needed|date=July 2013}}

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Dongargarh

| other_name =

| nickname =

Dharma Nagari

| settlement_type = Town

| image_skyline = {{Photomontage

| photo1a =

| photo2a =

| photo2b =

| photo3a =

| photo3b = Arieal View from Maa Bamleshwari Devi Temple on a hilltop.JPG

| spacing = 1

| color_border = black

| color = white

| size = 275

| foot_montage = From top, left to right: Maa Bamleshwari dongargarh, Early morning view of town from temple on a hilltop, Downhill Temple in Dongargarh, Bamleshwari Talab, Dongargarh, Dongargarh Railway station, Aerial view of town

}}

| image_alt =

| image_caption =

| pushpin_map = India Chhattisgarh#India

| pushpin_label_position =

| pushpin_map_alt =

| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Chhattisgarh, India

| coordinates = {{coord|21.188712|N|80.759072|E|display=inline,title}}

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}

| subdivision_type1 = State

| subdivision_name1 = Chhattisgarh

| subdivision_type2 = District

| subdivision_name2 = Rajnandgaon

| established_title =

| established_date =

| founder =

| named_for =

| government_type = Mayor

| governing_body = Municipal Council

| unit_pref = Metric

| area_footnotes =

| area_rank =

| area_total_km2 = 17

| elevation_footnotes =

| elevation_m =

| population_total = 37,372

| population_as_of = 2011

| population_rank =

| population_density_km2 = auto

| population_demonym =

| population_footnotes =

| demographics_type1 = Languages

| demographics1_title1 = Official

| demographics1_info1 = Hindi, Chhattisgarhi

| timezone1 = IST

| utc_offset1 = +5:30

| postal_code_type = PIN

| postal_code = 491445

| registration_plate = CG-08

| website =

| footnotes =

| official_name = Dongargarh

}}

File:Dongargarh.jpg

Dongargarh is a town and municipality in Rajnandgaon District in the state of Chhattisgarh, India and the site of the Bambleshwari Temple and Chandragiri Jain Temple. A prominent pilgrim destination in Rajnandgaon District, the city lies about {{convert|35|km}} west from Rajnandgaon, {{convert|67|km}} west from Durg and {{convert|132|km}} east from Bhandara which are situated on National Highway 6. Featuring majestic mountains and ponds, Dongargarh is derived from the words: Dongarh meaning 'mountains' and garh meaning 'fort'.

The Maa Bamleshwari Devi Temple,{{cite web|author=| url=http://www.thebackpackdiaries.in/maa-bamleshwari-devi-temple-dongargarh/|title=Maa Bamleshwari Devi Temple Dongargarh|publisher=The Backpack Diaries|date=2018-04-20}} situated on a {{convert|1,600|ft}} high hilltop, is a popular landmark. It is of great spiritual importance and several legends are associated with this shrine too. Another prominent shrine in the vicinity is Chhoti Bamleshwari Temple. Devotees flock these temples during Navratri. Shivji Temple and temples dedicated to Lord Hanuman are also located here. The ropeway is an added attraction and is the only passenger ropeway in Chhattisgarh. A severe accident occurred in 2016 when the ropeway broke and fell down killing several people.

The town is known for religious Harmony and has considerable population of Buddhists, Sikhs, Christians and Jains apart from Hindus.A 30 feet high statue of Budhha situated at the hilltop of the Pragyagiri hill is another attraction of the town. This is visible from the all the 06 major hills of the town. In addition to these, A Jain temple is also being constructed {{when|date=January 2015}} on a hill known as Chandragiri with the blessings of Jain saint Acharya Shri Vidyasagar Ji Maharaaj.{{Cite web|url=http://www.vidyasagar.net/|title=Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj {{!}} Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj Pravachan {{!}} Jain Religion In Hindi|website=Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj {{!}} Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj Pravachan {{!}} Jain Religion In Hindi|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-20}} The temple is specially recognized for an ancient statue of the Teerthankara god Chandraprabhuji. One of the biggest gurudwaras in the state is also located in the heart of the city managed by the Sikh society which also run Khalsa Public School, one of the biggest schools in the town. Dongargarhs oldest and most beautiful Roman Catholic church (Sacred Heart Church) is situated just near the railway station as well as there is a tall and beautiful Calvary hill near the railway colony which has a huge cross on the tip of the hill which can be seen from a far distance during the day. Every year a huge crowd of devotees Christians and other Religions gather here during the month of April for the way of the cross marking the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ as well as to get his blessings.

The nearest airport Swami Vivekanand Airport is at Raipur, {{convert|110|km}} away while the nearest railhead is Dongargarh Railway Station. Dongargarh has good road communication and buses and taxis are available from Rajnandgaon.{{cite web|url=http://www.citypincode.in/PinCodeOf.jsp?area=Dongargarh%20&district=Rajnandgaon |title=Dongargarh PinCode |publisher=citypincode.in |date= |access-date=2014-03-10}}