How to reach Patalkot ?

Patalkot remains on its high allure and gorgeousness during the rains. Monsoon is a wonderful time to visit this place. You will be sheltered with clouds all around. This deep valley is situated on the way to Bhopal from Chhindwara.  [Image]Patalkot is 78 km away from Chhindwara. Depending upon your budget, there are good hotels in Chhindwara to accommodate yourself.  You need to hire a taxi from Chhindwara. It takes 2 and 1/2 hours to reach Patalkot. First of all, start your journey towards Parasia that is 28 km from Chhindwara; from Parasia, follow the road to Tamia. Tamia is 30 kms from Parasia. When you reach Bijouri (Tamia remains just 6 km away from here), take right turn and after a journey of 16 kms, you will reach Patalkot.First day you can visit Rathed (a village that is seen from the top of the valley). 

 You won’t have accommodation facility in Patalkot valley. You need to convince people (local guys) then only you can find a place to spend night.  I think, it’s a tough job to reach Patalkot and get back same day.  Anyways, if you wish to trek the valley next day, you can come back to the top of the valley and go to Tamia for spending night. You can have your stay in Forest or PWD rest house. Charges are nominal and you would be provided with an up to mark facilities. You are welcome to visit Patalkot but the feariest thing for me about Patalkot is...biotic pressure and team of harvesters. I believe your visit doesnt bother any local tribesmen.Please accept my sincerest request: No panic, No poly bags, No nuisance and please don’t harvest medicinal plants when you visit the valley.Best time to visit inside the valley: October to FebruaryBest time to view the valley from top: July to SeptemberThings to carry:  Enough drinking water, food stuff, trekking shoes, digital photographic camera, Video camera.Nearest Airport: Nagpur – 125 Km; Bhopal- 286 Km (from Chhindwara)How to reach Chhindwara:Chhindwara can be accessed by road or by rail. The nearest airport is at Nagpur and a number of flights are available between Nagpur and the other major airports of India. Chhindwara can also be accessed via Bhopal/ Jabalpur, which is also connected by air with other major cities of India. After arriving in Nagpur / Bhopal/ Jabalpur, one can reach Chhindwara by road or by rail only.By rail:From Bhopal/ Jabalpur broad gauge trains are available right up to Chhindwara Station. After arriving Nagpur by broad gauge rail route, (only meter gauge trains are available between Nagpur and Chhindwara), one will have to make the necessary change of trains to reach Chhindwara.By road:Chhindwara can be approached by road from Nagpur (distance 125 kms.), Jabalpur (distance 215 kms.) or Bhopal (distance 286 kms.). Taxis and buses are also readily available from these cities connecting Chhindwara town 


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Patalkot valley

Green and fine-looking ranges of Satpura encircle the Chhindwara district in Madhya Pradesh. Chhindwara is not only known for oranges, cotton and coal but its natural and scenic beauty also attracts everyone who comes here for the first time. Chhindwara district is separated into four forest zones. In all, Chhindwara is a complete forest district. Patalkot is positioned in the Tamia block the district.

Patalkot is of great importance because of its geographical and scenic beauty.  The Patalkot valley is spread over an area of 79 Sq. Km. at an average height of 2750-3250 feet above Mean Sea Level from 22.24 to 22.29 ° North and 78.43 to 78.50 ° East. The valley is located at a distance of 78 km from Chhindwara in the North-West direction and 20 km from Tamia in the North-East Direction. 'Doodhi' river flows in the picturesque valley. There are total 12 villages and 13 hamlets with a total population of 2012 (1017 male and 995 female) in the valley. These villages are located at the distance of 2-3 km each. Main villages of the valley are: Rated, Chimtipur, Gujja Dongri, Sahra Pachgol, Harra-ka-Char, Sukhabhand, Dhurni malni, Jhiram, Palani Gaildubba, Ghatlinga, Gudichattri, Gaildubba, Kareyam, Ghana, etc. Gonds and Bharias are the main inhabitant of this gorge.  This horse –shoe shaped valley is surrounded by giant hills and there are several pathways to reach the villages located inside the valley.

'Patalkot' name comes from Sanskrit word "Patal" that means very deep. There is a belief that after worshipping 'Lord Shiva', Prince 'Meghnath' had gone to Patal-lok through this place only. People say that Kings ruled this place in 18th and 19th Century and that there was a long tunnel connecting this place to 'Pachmarhi' in Hoshangabad District.

Patalkot is a home to a tribal culture skilled at using the forest plants to make effective medicines. The Patalkot forest is so well hidden that people on the outside did not even know it ever existed. The modern world has been completely unaware of its existence. Now there are increasing threats of deforestation and exploitation of the people there. The natives (Bharias and Gonds) who live there know how to collect and grow the plants they need for food, clothing and building their homes. They know the secrets of the medicinal plants. This special skill has been passed down every generation. More than 2,000 natives live in villages scattered throughout the forest. There is a great harmony among them living in a comfortable balance, gladly helping each other, growing and collecting their own food. They are unusually skilled at making pulps and extracts of plants for curing illnesses. They have medicinal treatments for many illnesses including, measles, cholera, hypertension, diabetes, coughs, snake bites, and even pains. Patalkot was becoming famous for its treasure of medicinal plants. With the discovery    


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