Mainpat: Why it is called Hidden Gem of Chhattisgarh

Mainpat is a beautiful lesser known hill station and a small village of Surguja district of Chhattisgarh.

It is also known as Shimla of Chhattisgarh situated very near to the city Ambikapur at a distance of 50.6kms.

Via road from Ambikapur it takes one to one and half hours to reach.

Mainpat is lively in all season but it becomes alive between the monsoon and winter season.

I have had visited the place in almost every season and my favourite one is always the monsoon.

location

https://maps.app.goo.gl/eEFErWfUBrcPPimX6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

What is special about Mainpat:

Breathtaking Nature and view:

–Mainpat is a place situated 3605feet above the sea level, known for its ever green tall dense forest and cool climate throughout the season (which is very rare in Chhattisgarh).

The road which takes to the Mainpat it rushes the endorphins kills all the pain and alert all the senses to work more efficiently on the road as the roads are quite full of turns with ever green nature view at each step.

This landscape is a mix of dense rolling forest hills, lush green meadows and in each season farmers of Mainpat grow something which added additional beauty to it, specially during winter season they grow tau, also known as buckwheat.

A foreign crop cultivated by the Tibetan people of Mainpat during winter season.

The valley above the hills during winter sets with the white small flowers, it seems and felt like the bride’s long veil which covers the entire valley during winter (but the smell of its flower is really bad).

–The beauty of Mainpat could be more evocative through certain view points and places like the waterfall named Tiger point, Mehta point which is at the top of hill from where almost the entire valley can be visualise a perfect spot for sunrise, Fish point which is also known as Jal Pari Point here you have to trek off road to reach this beautiful site, calm and compost small waterfall with small natural pool waiting to engulf in its beauty.

A Home to Tibetan:

After the Chinese invasion to Tibet, Mainpat also became the home to peaceful Tibetan communities and with beautiful Buddhist Monasteries around makes the valley even more peaceful.

Here visitors experience peaceful Tibetan culture, food, monastery and traditions in an Indian setting.

Unique geographic feature:

Mainpat is known for its mystical natural phenomenon at Jaljali where the ground vibrates when jumped on.

It is a rare geological curiosity and a fun of attraction for many.

There are many such points in Mainpat- Ultapani where a stream of water flowing in the opposite direction. Anything here would go opposite to gravity.

I have my personal experience to share (must try on your visit) we went there and put our four wheeler on neutral on the decline road near the stream side and literally the vehicle started moving in opposite direction upward in slow pace.

I witnessed it through my naked eyes.

– Thinthini Patthar is a place in Mainpat where a large stone of about 200 quintal cylindrical in shape resting on the ground and on stricken with solid material it produces metallic sounds, different sounds at different angles.

JOT DOWN: If you think these places are fun I have to clear this wave around, no not at all.

You can visit there just to experience the geographical wonder. The place is home to many tribal communities, they have their fields, farm and home.

There is nothing much but must visit to experience it once in life.

Adventure Opportunities:

Mainpat offers varieties of adventure sites for trekking, night campings, bonfire and recently they have started kayaking near the pine forest.

All experiences would be loved by adventure seekers and first time visitors.

Mainpat is still developing and it has a lot of potential which could emerge in future, till then have a little patience.

It would definitely not going to offer what you have kept in your mind for so long to that place. I request to have a little patience and enjoy what it offers.

Peaceful and less Commercialised:

Unlike many hill stations Mainpat is relatively less crowded and untouched by tourists.

This makes it perfect for people who are seeking for solitude, spiritual retreat and a break from urban chaos.

Culture mix and Harmony:

In Mainpat there is coexistence of tribal communities of Yadavs and Oraon tribe with Tibetan settlers creates a rare blend of cuisines, customs, languages.

You would encounter the blend of markets, cultures, cuisines, tradition, languages and all festivals celebrated together in harmony.

Eco-Friendly Rural Tourism:

Mainpat offers a taste of local food in authentic setting, eco-conscious tourism for those who are look for stay near nature, eat local food of all tribes. ( Restaurant and small Dhabas of all tastes are available in Mainpat whether you are into Tibetan food or into desi Adiwasi style chicken all tastes are available here ).

Things to Do:

Enjoy the mesmerising view: While visiting the Mainpat anchor at various places which you would see during your road trip to the hills. There are various view points made specifically to enjoy, soak and engulf the natural beauty of Mainpat such as at Sunset Point and Hill point view both you would encounter while travelling to uphill. Don’t forget to capture the longing trees, the dancing clouds, the chirping birds and the view of Ghunghunta Bandh from the Sunset Point.

Stay at Mainpat: It is not possible to cover the entire valley locations and view points in just a single day if you are coming outside from Surguja District, Chhattisgarh. I must recommend to stay a night here in Mainpat. Here you could book and stay as per your comfort various Hotels, night camps stay are all on one call away. Make sure to book prior as the places are usually on fire. Don’t think of getting it done at the place there could be a high chance that you won’t get a single one.

Make a list of places: Make sure you plan this one. There are many view points and Monasteries prioritise where you want to go. Make list along with the help of Google Map. As you will find on your visit that every location is very distant to one another.

Must visit Places:

-Tiger view point: if you are fond of waterfalls surrounded with longing forest with man made trekking trails to base. This one should be on your list.

-Jal Pari waterfall: if you are into off road trekking trails then this should be on your list. This is a beautiful one to reach here you have to trek for about 15 to 20mins from the path where you would last park your vehicle and it also depends on your trekking skills. There you would encounter a small hidden waterfall with natural made pool.

-Mehta point: It is a high plateau point in Mainpat Hills, from here you could outlook the beauty of whole valley. ( Be a little cautious as there is no railing or safety blocks near the edge of the hill. You might caught yourself in between the slipping edges ).

-Monasteries: In Mainpat there are many monasteries but I would love to recommend to visit Dhakpo Shedupling Monastery, also known as the Tibetan Monastery which is the primary monastery in Mainpat. It is the cultural centre of Tibetan community of Mainpat.

-Pine forest: Pine forest which is near to one of the big monastery which I mentioned above. It is a quiet, forest of longing sky touching Pine Trees. It is suitable for people who wants to pause for a bit and relax and breathe in the nature. I would recommend to lay your mat lie down for a bit let the nature flows in you.

-Kayaking: Recently they have started Kayaking near the Pine forest. You can add this up on your visit to Pine forest. Make sure you do prior bookings before planning any adventure near. All the contact details are available online.

Try foods: In Mainpat there are good Tibetan restaurants. You can opt the food which ever you like. I would love to recommend chicken shabalay and chicken thupka at Dolma Restaurant and Hotel. And if you want to enjoy the Tibetan food at local village setting then visit Tibetan restaurant which is in the same route to the above one. And if you want to try some desi village style food there are few small Dhabas you can find easily on your tour to near by places.

Soak in the Nature: Mainpat is a beautiful gift of nature to us. Longing green valleys with twisted turned road and in each turn there is always something for our eyes to soak in. You would mesmerise to see the view from each curve, a new canvas of mountains, dam, hills, the dancing clouds opens up to you, engulf you in its beauty. Take a moment live in the nature for a while before moving forward. It will definitely going to stay with you for a long time.

Respect Locality’s: You entering into someone’s home be respectful. You are coming to Mainpat to their home to see the beauty and their presence make it even more beautiful. Try not to disrespect any sacred places and people living here. Let it be the way it is “Beauty in diversity”. Don’t try to mock, provoke or eve tease it only shows how illiterate, disrespectful and an educated fool you are.

Things not to do:

• Off road drive: As you go higher in the valley there might be chances of loosing network. Download the map prior to destination and stick to the route. Avoid riding off roads as the places and nature are really uncertain.
• Don’t stop the vehicle at the slope: There are many turns in the slopy road and it sometimes hinder the visual of the vehicle coming from behind. There are plenty of view points to enjoy the nature which is made for the purpose.
• Avoid feeding wild animals: On your way to Mainpat you may be encounter with a few wild animals, avoid to give them foods or leftovers. They are best at their wild instincts and in nature. You might get scratch or bit while feeding them and I’m telling you with my professional experience that it’s very difficult in Government sector to get rabies vaccine or immunoglobulin here.
• Avoid throwing trashes anywhere: Either bring your trash bag or collect your waste in a bag then through it later in nearby trashcan. It is better to live a conscious life rather than living without a soul. Mainpat is still far away from the track of being on tourism, there is no proper development related to tourism. So you might be surprised to see a lot of trashes thrown haphazardly anywhere and it’s very sad to see. Take responsibility of your doings preserve it for the people who will come later.
• Visiting the place solo/couple: I’m not saying that don’t do solo traveling but if you are a woman you should avoid. I’m telling you with my personal experience. The localite of Mainpat are very good, kind, open to help you at any point of time but the people who visit Mainpat from nearby places ( Ambikapur )are an educated literate fools, reckless goons, mastered in eve teasing. ( And if someone is reading my blog I’m requesting make a safe place around you. Don’t try to mock or provoke it only shows how illiterate and disrespectful you are to nature, to people and to yourself ).

Must take things with you:

• Cash: In some valley area of Mainpat it is difficult to find mobile networks. It is wise to carry a little amount of cash for any purchase.
• Download off line Map Route: It will add more convenience to the trip as you may find network issue on your trip, specially around most of the tourist and view point areas.
• Pair of good shoes: Wear whatever stylish pair of heals or sandals for your trip to get your desired pictures but always carry a good pair of shoes incase you trek down the waterfall areas or anywhere in Mainpat where you have to walk for a while because lands in Mainpat are not symmetrical.
• Umbrella/Raincoat: Mainpat weather is always very uncertain specially during monsoon. If you are travelling here during monsoon it is good to carry pocket size umbrella or raincoat protects you both from the tany sun rays and watery clouds.
• Sunscreen/Caps: I always recommend to carry a sunscreen and a cap wherever you go on a trip. These days UVA and UVB are major issues and a main cause of skin cancer specially to white peoples. ( I would love to recommend an easy to go sunscreen which is also my favourite, it is a spray sunscreen from 52 Sundaze with SPF 50+ PA++++ mist you don’t have to tap or anything, I use to carry it everywhere ).
• Powerbank: Please carry one there is a high chance, up there you might over use your phones on clicking. You would rarely find a stalls near the view points, carry it for battery backup.
• Pair of warm clothes/Jackets: Up in the hills the waves are strong and cooler than the lower region of Mainpat specially during evening hours.
• Matts/Chairs: Have these in your four wheeler and thank me later.
• Snacks and water bottles: Keep yourself hydrated up in the hills these will give you energy to move forward and also have something to munch on in between your excitements.
• First aid-kit: Pack basic first aid essentials such as bandages, pain relief spray, antiseptic wipes, blister ointments or any medication you use personally.
• Mosquito/Insects repellent: You may encounter various insects and huge mosquitoes on your visit to Mainpat. Must pack repellents to avoid any discomfort.
• Trash Bags: Mainpat is far from the active tourism, you might find trashes, plastic bottles, crack beer bottles at most of the places instead of doing the same what people did to the trashes, please bring your own trash bags take your left overs, wrappers, plastic bottles back with you. Throw them at where it supposed to be thrown.

My experience:

Mainpat is a beautiful place as I wrote it above but what catches my eye is the people who live there of different ethnicity and tribe living peacefully making Mainpat alive in all season.

And the add-on to this is the ever green longing forest, twisted turn roads and the weather of every season that has always a pleasant effects on my neurons.

I have visited the place in almost every season but my favourite one is always the monsoon. During this time all the mountains and valleys covered itself with the white veil and the valley showers with little sparking waters.

The view itself makes you the main character of a movie. It is so dreamy even a person with stone hearted can melt its guard down in the Mainpat Hills.

Mainpat is not a one day trip so every time when we visit we always try to add a new location of the hill as the view point areas are far apart from each other.

On my every visit I always enjoyed the simplicity of nature village life, tasted delicious Tibetan food and explored the lush landscapes.

The calm environment and the scenic views always made our journey memorable, leaving us with a sense of peace and connection with the high above.

Hope you also experience this Bollywood scenic life event on your visit to Mainpat.