Upon reaching the end of the world’s road, you’ll find Mandasaru’s towering wooden gate. Once you’ve settled into your tent, head to the viewpoint. Below the cliffs is a silent and deep valley where water collects in a small natural basin. Locals often regard this pool as a hidden sacred lake among the trees. The water at this location is thought to contain the spirit of the mountains, as it is right at the mouth of the great canyon. On a cold Monday in late December, I strolled up to the viewpoint in the midst of mist rising from the pool obscuring the trees with its white blanket. It’s an unpretentious area that reminds you to be still and listen for the wind.
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ToggleThe Mandasaru nature camp provides a unique experience that is unlike staying in a hotel in a city. Guests stay in tents and cabins located right on the edge of a steep gorge. The Mandasaru Odisha region is a highly dramatic landscape and is often referred to as the “Silent Valley” of our state. The mountains rise vertically from the depths of a thick forest filled with sal and medicinal trees, creating a bewildering sight if you are standing on your porch and looking through the layers of clouds at the valley below you at 4 degrees Celsius as I did on a Tuesday morning when I woke up at the Mandasaru Valley Nature Camp. The tall silver oak trees have served as sentinels, standing in the same spot over the course of many years while we continually flow through them with the seasons.
Outside the forest is a way in if you listen to the sound of flowing water. You will find the Mandasaru waterfall. This waterfall is a thin ribbon of water that falls from a great height to meet green growth below. There is a sense of gentleness here, as the people in the nearby villages are calm and graceful. They walk through the woods, knowing each bird and each leaf intimately, without saying much since their hospitality is warm like a wood fire. If you like to go Daringbadi camping then this is the true heart of the mountains. The heart knows what the signs cannot tell you; that this canyon is a place for your spirit to be free, meaning that you will need to put your phone away for a while and just be human.
xSummer is hot and humid in the valley, with many areas not shaded from the sun’s rays. To experience the beauty of the Mandasaru area, visit during the local winter months (from November to February). The weather will be much cooler than in summer and will be much more comfortable to walk through the valley or participate in outdoor activities. When walking on the Mandasaru waterfall trails, be sure to dress in warm woolen clothing and wear a sturdy pair of shoes, because the trails can be very steep and slippery. In addition, bring your own water and a small amount of snacks/fruits from the main market to eat because the camp kitchen will have limited options available. Especialy walk slowly and listen to the song of birds in the hills while walking on the trails; one reason is that the area encourages people to slow down on their travels and to remember that the planet is older and much more experienced than we will ever be.
