Rural escapes that celebrate the romance of Indian villages
From quaint temples and ancient trees to art villages and traditional huts, there is much to be enjoyed in the remote, picturesque Indian villages. So pack your bags and hop on for a ride!
As World Tourism Day is commemorated on September 27, Village Square brings you a curated list of rural escapes that offer the very best a traveller can look forward to. This story on village outings gives you the low-down on six remote Indian villages that celebrate the romance of a rural setting. After all, Indian villages are repositories of our ancient culture passed down through generations. Here’s more on a few vibrant villages of India we recommend you pay a visit.
Raghurajpur, Odisha
Winner of the Best Tourism Village in 2023 in the silver category, Raghurajpur is a colourful art village located in Puri district, Odisha. Comprising about 190 households, the village is famous for its pattachitra art, tala pata chitra (palm leaf engravings), wood carvings and papier mache toys. The striking thing about this village is the artwork that adorns the walls of the artisans’ homes, from where you can buy the said merchandise.
Surrounded by betel leaf plantations and lush paddy fields, with the Bhargavi river flowing close, the village is also set amidst natural beauty that adds to its aesthetic charms.
The nearest railway station is at Puri town, about 13 km away, while the nearest airport is at Bhubaneshwar, at a distance of 52 km from the village. Peak season is between October and February.
Also Read: Odisha village continues to keep traditional art alive
Mawlynnong, Meghalaya
Monikered Asia’s Cleanest Village, Mawlynnong in Meghalaya’s East Khasi hills is worth a visit for its lush vegetation, fruit orchards and well-preserved Khasi traditions. The locals live in tune with nature and follow practices like rain-water harvesting, not using plastic and waste recycling. As per some estimates, the literacy rate here is 90 percent.
It is also home to the legendary Nohwet Living Root Bridge, created from the roots of a gigantic Ficus elastica tree over generations. Such bridges in Meghalaya’s hilly climbs enabled the local people to travel to the plains for trade purposes.
The nearest airport at Shillong is 99 km away while the nearest railhead is at Guwahati at a distance of 187 km. The closest town is Pynursla.
Also Read: Remote village in Karbi Anglong sets cleanliness benchmark
Malana, Himachal Pradesh
Situated on the slopes of Parvati valley, this Indian village is home to an ancient community that has long intrigued outsiders for its architecture, culture and customs. Local folklore dictates that these people are descendants of Alexander the Great. The social structure in place is governed by the deity Jamlu Rishi, who was worshipped even in pre-Aryan times.
Some of the unique festivals you can enjoy here include Fagli, Badoh Mela and Shaun, celebrated at different times of the year. From Malana you could also visit the Chanderkhani Pass, which is the gateway to Naggar, another old village in the region.
Bhuntar is the nearest airport, which is 50 km from Kasol. A road from Kasol takes you to a point that is 12 km from Malana, and this stretch involves a four-hour trek to the village.
Also Read: Why this couple said konnichiwa to a Himachal village
Sirpur, Chhattisgarh
Sirpur is arguably one of the most historic villages of present-day Chhattisgarh. Located on the banks of the Mahanadi river, the place boasts architectural and cultural wonders. In the time of the Somavanshiya emperors, it was the capital of South Kosal and is mentioned in records dating back to the 5th and 8th century AD.
The Buddha viharas at Sirpur are older than those at Nalanda. The Sirpur Temple, Surang Tila, Gandeshwar Temple and Laxman Temple are some other attractions worth a visit. For pleasure, you can take a boat ride on the Mahanadi river, or visit the Barnawapara Sanctuary nearby.
Whether you are travelling by rail or air, Raipur is the nearest city, which is 84 km away.
Also Read: Offbeat rural destinations in India
Agumbe, Karnataka
Personified onscreen in the 80s tele-series Malgudi Days, Agumbe will forever be Malgudi in the popular imagination. Holiday makers of the present time can visit this Indian village for its pristine beauty of the Western Ghats, and quaint lifestyle away from the hustle of the city.
The village is home to about 500 people, and is located in Shimoga district of the Malnad region in Karnataka. It is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the rainforests in the region since it receives a record amount of rainfall each year.
The nearest airport is at Mangaluru at a distance of 135 km, and the closest railway station is at Udupi 60 km away. The winter months are the best time to visit Agumbe.
Also Read: Visit these lesser-known heritage sites of rural India
Bishnoi village, Rajasthan
Located 22 km from Rajasthan’s ‘Blue City’, Jodhpur, the Bishnoi village is a settlement of people that go by the same name. The term Bishnoi means 29 and denotes the 29 principles by which the tribe lives. The principles had been enunciated by Guru Jambheshwar. The Bishnois are passionate advocates of environmental conservation, including the protection of wildlife and trees.
When visiting the village, aside from the hospitality of the Bishnoi people, you can also enjoy observing various activities among the distinct communities living here, like the potters’ settlement and weavers’ settlement. Being a part of the western Thar desert, the vegetation is sparse with khejri trees in evidence. The resorts in the region quite typically take guests on a safari of this village.
The closest airport and railhead are at Jodhpur, from where you can motor to the village. The best time to visit is between October and March.
Also Read: Khejri – the wonder tree of Thar desert
The lead image on top shows the Nohwet Living Root bridge in Meghalaya’s Mawlynnong village (Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons)
