Patalkot Gorge Trek Features Ancient Geology

- The valley's name, Patalkot, means "Very Deep" in Sanskrit and is mythologically believed to be the passage used by Ravana's son, Meghnad, to enter the underworld (Patal-lok). - This horseshoe-shaped gorge descends to a depth of 1200-1500 feet and is home to the Bharia and Gond tribes. The Bharia tribe, in particular, has lived in the valley in isolation for over 500 years. - The region's ancient geology consists of Archaean era rocks like Granite gneiss and green schists, as well as Gondwana sediments. - The Dudhi River, a tributary of the Narmada River, flows through the valley, which serves as its source. - For centuries, the valley was largely cut off from the outside world, which allowed the Bharia tribe to develop an extensive knowledge of the area's hundreds of medicinal plants and herbs. - Historically, the remote gorge served as a hideout for the Bhonsle Kings in the 18th and 19th centuries after their defeat by the British army. - The trek is part of a broader effort to promote eco-tourism in the region, a government initiative that began in recent years to showcase the local Adivasi culture and create opportunities for tribal youth.