Looking up into the canopy of tall forest trees at Mainpat

Raipur, Sirpur and Mainpat: Chhattisgarh beyond Bastar

Central and northern Chhattisgarh: Raipur as a gateway, the brick temples and Buddhist monasteries of Sirpur on the Mahanadi, and the Tibetan settlement and cool plateau of Mainpat.

Mahek Jatana

31 October 2026

2 minutes

Most of Chhattisgarh’s visitors pass through Raipur on the way to somewhere else. That is a shame: within reach of the capital are some of the state’s most interesting places, from an ancient riverside capital to a high plateau where Tibetan refugees settled in the 1960s.

Raipur

Raipur is Chhattisgarh’s capital and main gateway, with the state’s busiest airport and a major railway station. The old city has its markets and lakes; the planned new capital, Nava Raipur (Atal Nagar), lies to the south-east. Use it as a base, and try Chhattisgarhi food while you are here: chila (rice pancakes), fara (steamed rice dumplings) and muthiya.

Sirpur

Sirpur, about 78 kilometres east of Raipur on the Mahanadi river, was once a capital of the region, and excavations since the 1950s have uncovered a remarkable mix of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain sites. The best known is the Lakshmana Temple, a 7th-century temple built mainly of brick, one of the finest early brick temples in India, with a carved stone doorway. Around it are Shiva and Vishnu temples, Buddhist viharas (monasteries) and a Jain vihara.

The site is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, which runs a small museum next to the Lakshmana Temple. Go in the morning and allow half a day.

Mainpat

Mainpat is a plateau at about 1,085 metres in the Surguja district of northern Chhattisgarh, around 55 kilometres by road from Ambikapur. It is often called the ‘Shimla of Chhattisgarh’ for its cooler climate. In 1962–63 Tibetan refugees were settled here, and their camps, monasteries and prayer flags give the plateau its own character.

Tiger Point and Fish Point: waterfalls in forested valleys, best during and after the monsoon.
Ulta Pani: a spot where water appears to flow uphill, a popular stop.
The Tibetan settlement: visit the monasteries respectfully and buy from local shops and weavers.

Practicalities

Getting there: Raipur is the gateway for Sirpur (a drive of a couple of hours). Mainpat is reached by road via Ambikapur, which also has a small airport; check current services.
When to go: October to March for comfort; July to September for green landscapes and waterfalls.
How long: a day for Sirpur from Raipur; two days for Mainpat.

Head south to Bastar, or read our Chhattisgarh guide.

Sources and image credits

Facts that can change were checked on 31 October 2026:

Photography (stock images, not the author’s own): via Unsplash, under the Unsplash License: Rohan Sah (Forest canopy, Mainpat), Amit Mukherjee (Hillside at Mainpat).

Site access, festival dates and road conditions can change. Check locally before you travel.