Khudia Dam

Khudia Dam, also called Khudia Bandh, is an irrigation dam in Lormi block, Mungeli district, in Chhattisgarh, about 45 km from the district headquarters. Work began under British rule in 1927 and ended in 1930. The engineers used the natural lie of the land, linking three hills along the course of the Maniyari River. First known as the Khudia Reservoir, the lake was later renamed the Rajiv Gandhi Reservoir after the former prime minister.

Forests surround the water, with mountain ranges to the north-west, and its wildlife and birdlife draw nature enthusiasts. Visitors come for boating, fishing and picnics on the banks, and a rest house offers basic accommodation. The site can be reached by road from Raipur by bus or private vehicle, and Kota and Bilaspur have the closest railway stations. The reservoir also remains an important source of irrigation for the surrounding villages.