This populous region is in the south west part of Chhattisgarh, in the plains, about 35 km from Raipur, the state capital. As with the rest of the state, it is rich in forests and mineral resources. The original name of this area was Shiva Durg.

Durg Attractions

Bhilai Steel Plant : A major exporter of steel, this was set up with Soviet assistance in 1959, as one of the first steps of independent India's drive towards industrialisation and self reliance. Its main products are rails, structurals (beams, channels, angles, and crossing sleepers), wire rods and plates.

Maitry Baugh : A zoo cum children's park, maintained by the Bhilai Steel Plant Management. White tigers are the main attraction here. Every year a flower show is organized here. The Baugh has a musical fountain. 2 shows are organized here in the evenings, on alternate days.

Uwasaggaharam Parshwa Teerth : This is a Jain shrine in Nagpura established in 1995. Located on the banks of the Sheonath river, the campus houses temples, guest houses, a garden and Naturopathy and Yoga Centre. The entrance to the resplendent marble temple of Shri Parshwanath is through a 30 feet gate that has the idol of Parshwanath, supported by four pillars (representing the four essentials of spiritual atonement, i.e., wisdom, introspection, good conduct, penance), being worshipped by two elephants. Sacred water, amiya, oozes from the idol here. Hundreds of pilgrims visit this shrine on full-moon.

Ganga Maiya Temple : Located at Jhalmala, 58 km from Durg, there is an interesting story about the origin of this temple: a fisherman was fishing in the pond near the village when he found an idol in his net. He kept putting it back in the water, it kept coming back into his net. Finally, he got fed up and left it and went home. The same night, in a dream, a villager heard the Goddess saying "I am being ignored by the fisherman. Take me out and get me installed." Taking this to be an order, he visited the pond the next morning, retrieved the idol and installed it in a hut near the village (and hence the name). Later a more permanent temple was built here by Bhikam Chand Tawri. The temple trust plays an active role in the life of the villagers, including organizing cultural activities and medical camps.