Raipur is the capital of Chhattisgarh, a state carved out of Madhya Pradesh in 2000. The city itself is a busy, rapidly growing commercial centre without major tourist sights, but it serves as the gateway to some of central India's most interesting destinations — the tribal heartlands, dense forests, and ancient temple complexes of Chhattisgarh.
The Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum in the centre has a good collection of tribal art and archaeological finds from the region. The old town around the Dudhadhari Math temple complex is worth a wander for its carved stone work. Raipur is well connected by rail and air, making it the practical starting point for trips to Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary and the remote Bastar region to the south.