Dantewada, to the south of Bastar, derives its name from its presiding deity, Devi Danteshwari, the Goddess worshipped as an incarnation of shakti (strength). It is believed to be one of the 52 sacred shakti peethas of Hindu mythology. Traces of Buddhism and Jainism dating back to the 3 rd century AD can be seen here.
Before Indian Independence, the district was part of the princely state of Bastar. After Indian Independence in 1947, Bastar's ruler acceded to the government of India, and the erstwhile state became part of Bastar District of Madhya Pradesh state. Bastar District was divided into the districts of Bastar, Dantewada, and Kanker in 1999. In 2000, Dantewada was one of the 16 Madhya Pradesh districts that constituted the new state of Chhattisgarh. Dantewada has further been bifurcated in the year 2007 resulting into a new district Bijapur with 4 Tehsils namely Bijapur, Bhairamgarh, Usoor & Bhopalpatnam.
Air
The nearest Air terminal is Raipur.
Rail
South Eastern Railway is running a regular train (ordinary) from Vishakha Pattanam to Bailadila which passes through the beautiful Araku Vally, and stops a while at Dantewada before reaching its destination Bailadila.
Road
Dantewada is connected with Jagadalpur the nearest town, by State Highway No.9. MPSRTC runs regular services from almost all the big cities of Chatthisgarh, like Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg and Rajnandgaon to Bailadila, which goes through Dantewada. Apart from MPSRTC private luxury buses are also being run from all these cities to Bailadila which passes through Dantewada. Dantewada is also connected by road to Hyderabad, the capital city of the neighboring state Andhra Pradesh on which APSRTC is running its bus service regularly.
Jagdalpur - 87, Raipur - 383, Durg - 421, Rajnadgaon - 462, Bilaspur - 499, Hyderabad - 560