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Voykit pocket guide · India
Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh
बिलासपुर
Spend 1 day in Bilaspur to see the historic temples and nearby Ratanpur; add a half‑day trip to Amarkantak if you have extra time.
Bilaspur is the second‑largest city in Chhattisgarh, a rail hub with easy access to historic sites like the Kalachuri temples, Ratanpur fort and the source of the Narmada at Amarkantak. The sights are clustered near the centre, so a single day covers the main attractions; longer stays suit deeper cultural immersion or business travel.
- Country
- India
- Local name
- बिलासपुर
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Avoid
- Apr–Jun (high heat)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- INR
- Money
- Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₹1,200–2,000 excl. bed · Mid ₹2,500–4,000 excl. bed · High ₹4,500+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.
- Emergency
- Police 100 · Fire and ambulance 101 · General emergency (all services) 112
- Plugs
- Types C, D, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin C plugs fit most sockets; D (three round pins) is the common wall socket; hotels often have universal sockets. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and dhabas: Nothing.; Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Car and driver: ₹300–500 a day at the end of the trip.; Guide: ₹300–500 for a half day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₹50–100.; Auto or Uber: Round up.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles (check the cap), or use RO-filtered refill stations in hotels and cafés; avoid ice from street stalls.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages. Carry tissue and sanitiser; paid public toilets (Sulabh) cost ₹5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Biriyani (Madrasi Restaurant) | ₹150–250 |
| Kosa silk scarf | ₹300–800 |
| Auto‑rickshaw (2 km (1.2 mi))Auto‑rickshaw (1.2 mi (2 km)) | ₹30–50 |
| Local train ticket (city) | ₹20–40 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- RPR · Swami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur
- about 115 km (71 mi) north, 2‑h driveabout 71 mi (115 km) north, 2‑h drive
Typical fares
- Bilaspur Junction → Raipur Airport (taxi)
- ≈₹1,200, 2 h (check)
- Auto‑rickshaw 5 km
- ≈₹40 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Auto‑rickshaws and city buses dominate; hire a car for trips to Ratanpur or Amarkantak. Railway station is central and well‑served.
See and do
Known for
- Kalachuri temples (10th‑11th c.)
- Kosa silk
- Biriyani at Madrasi Restaurant
- Rail junction
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Ratanpur | Taxi or shared auto, about 25 km (16 mi), 30‑40 minTaxi or shared auto, about 16 mi (25 km), 30‑40 min | ≈45 min |
| Amarkantak | Bus or hired car, 117 km (73 mi), 3 hBus or hired car, 73 mi (117 km), 3 h | ≈3 h |
Sleep
- Courtyard by Marriott
- 4‑star, 98 rooms, city‑centre; good for business
- Aananda Imperial
- mid‑range hotel near railway station
- East Park Hotel
- budget option, central location
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | माफ़ कीजिएmaaf kijiye |
| Thank you | धन्यवादdhanyavaad |
| How much is it? | यह कितना है?yeh kitna hai? |
| Where is the toilet? | शौचालय कहाँ है?shauchalay kahan hai? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Namaste (palms together) or a handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Hands and feet: Give and eat with the right hand; apologise if your foot touches someone; avoid: Pointing feet at people or shrines; touching books or food with your feet
- Temples: Shoes off, walk clockwise around shrines, accept prasad (blessed food) with the right hand; avoid: Leather in Jain temples; entering sanctums that say Hindus only
- Home visit: Bring sweets or fruit; accept tea at least once; avoid: Refusing all food; wearing shoes inside
- Questions: Expect personal questions (married? job? salary?) as friendliness; avoid: Taking offence; answer vaguely if you prefer
- Saying no: A firm, polite 'nahi, dhanyavaad' (no, thank you) and keep walking; avoid: Long explanations to touts
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; kurta tops are cheap and cool; avoid: Swimwear or shorts away from Goa beaches
Scams and watch-outs
- Summer temperatures often exceed 40 °C; carry water and sun protection.
- Traffic can be chaotic; use reputable drivers for longer trips.
Bilaspur is generally safe for tourists; stay alert in crowded markets and during peak heat.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Kalachuri temples (10th‑11th c.)
- Kosa silk
- Biriyani at Madrasi Restaurant
- Rail junction
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Bilaspur official website: bilaspur.gov.in/en/
- Wikivoyage: Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh), revision 5241913 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5241913
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Bilaspur, Chhattisgarhबिलासपुर
कृपया इस पते पर ले जाएँ
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
The US consulate is in Raipur (check address); other nations use the embassy in New Delhi.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/bilaspur-chhattisgarh). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.