Dholkal
The Ganesha is carved from a single stone shaped like a dholak drum, which gives the hill its name. It is dated to the 10th–11th century, the time of the Naga dynasty.
After the hilltop · the almanac
The trek in four numbers
A day hike in Dantewada district with a boulder scramble at the top.
3,000ft
Dholkal hilltop
~3ft
The Ganesha, carved from one stone
16km
There and back
1934
First recorded by a geologist
💪 Quite difficult at the top🧭 Guide required📍 13 km from Dantewada
The walk
One day
The Unexplored Bastar trip: leave Jagdalpur at 7 am, about two hours by road, on top around noon.
How high you are on each kilometre
- MorningJagdalpur → FaraspalAbout 2 h by road
- MiddayFaraspal → Dholkal hilltopPast the Balancing Rock; a boulder scramble at the endAbout 8 km
- AfternoonDown the same wayAbout 8 km
Stories and nature
The drum on the hill
Ganesha and Parashurama
Legend tells of a duel between Ganesha and Parashurama, in which Ganesha lost a tooth. Faraspal is said to be named after Parashurama's axe, the pharsa.
Found, lost, restored
A geologist, Crookshank, recorded it in 1934 during the Bailadila mine survey. It was rediscovered in 2012, found broken in 2017, and restored by the Archaeological Survey of India.
When to go
Cool winter days
Outlook Traveller recommends December to February, and advises avoiding the monsoon and the heat of late spring and summer.
Dec–Feb
The best months.
Monsoon
Avoid.
Late spring, summer
Avoid: too hot.
Plan your trip
Getting to Faraspal
Dholkal is about 13 km from Dantewada town. Unexplored Bastar runs guided day trips from Jagdalpur.
- Jagdalpur🚙 About 2 h
- Faraspal🥾 About 8 km
- Dholkal
The last bit
The final 150–250 m is a steep scramble over boulders. Take care.
Guide
Go with a guide.
Good to know
The small things
Cash, signal, water, permits and help on the way. Checked October 2026; confirm with your operator.
Getting to Dantewada
Regular buses run from Raipur, about 400 km. Two trains a day come from Visakhapatnam. Jagdalpur has a small airport with flights to Raipur and Visakhapatnam. Dantewada district
Where to stay
Jagdalpur has better hotels than Dantewada. Tribal homestays and night camping can be booked through Dantewada Tourism or Unexplored Bastar. Tripoto
Phone signal
Jio works in almost all of Bastar. Airtel struggles in a few areas. Unexplored Bastar
Entry ticket
Buy the entry ticket at the Dholkal base, and hire a registered guide there. Tripoto
Food
Tell your guide if you want a tribal meal at the base, such as chapda, a red-ant chutney. In Dantewada, try the Indian Coffee House. Tripoto
Carry water
Water isn't included on Unexplored Bastar's tours. Bring a steel bottle, not plastic. Unexplored Bastar
Watch your hands
Small snakes hide in the rock cracks near the top. The path there is narrow and rocky. Unexplored Bastar trip report
Pack a small camera
Leave the DSLR behind. A phone, small camera or GoPro is easier on the rock scramble. Tripoto
What to pack
Your checklist
Tick items as you pack. Your ticks stay saved on this device.
Clothing
Shoes
Gear
Health
List from Unexplored Bastar: what should I pack?.
Rent or buy
Where to get gear
Many operators lend tents, sleeping bags and spikes. Ask yours before you rent.
Raipur before you leave
Decathlon RaipurBuy · hiking shoes and boots, sportswearVidhan Sabha Road, near Ambuja City Center, opposite SBI · Website
Shop details are from each shop's own page. Phone to confirm prices and stock.
Who runs it
Choose an operator
We found only one company selling the Dholkal trek in October 2026: Unexplored Bastar, which runs it from Jagdalpur as a day tour and inside longer Bastar tours. Otherwise, hire a registered guide at the Dholkal base.
Prices are base prices from each operator's own page (October 2026); most add 5% GST. Ratings are what each operator shows, not an independent audit. Names marked † show last season's price or one seen only in a search snippet.