Indian Village Tour: A Walk through Real India

“Stop. Take a deep breath. And walk, fly or catch a train away from the city and into a world where the average pace of life is slower than slow. “It is not down in any map; true places never are.” – Herman Melville.

India has something to offer to all kinds of tourists. Be it an adventure enthusiast, a foodie, a pilgrim or so on, everyone gets an apt destination to enjoy the vacation here. But despite so many options at hand, the tricky question is where can one get the true essence of India? This question is certain to come to mind while planning a tour to India. Without any second opinion, I can certainly tell you that the real India can only be witnessed by visiting the various exquisite villages. Village tour to India takes the tourist up-close to the indigenous cultures that are radiant for so many years.

Travellers seeking for a place to get a real feel of the India must visit its ancient villages that even today give the glimpse of age-old culture and traditions. The country boasts many villages, which cater a wonderful vacation in the paramount serenity and spellbinding panorama. For this reason, village tourism in India is a rising trend preferred by foreigner and native travellers alike.

If you are still wondering where to go for village tourism in India, then there is no need to worry anymore. Here, I am sharing the list of topmost villages of India highlighting their contribution in the growth of Indian travel & tourism industry.

1. Hodka Village, Gujarat – Visit 300 Year Old Habitat

Situated in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat in India, Hodka Village is believed to be inhabited about 300 years ago by the Haleopotra Clan. The name of the village is derived from the Gujarati word ‘hodi’, which means boat. In Hindi, Hodka means Jheels – places where potable water is available. Nowadays, this beautiful village is fast growing as a hot and popular rural tourism destination among the Indian village lovers.

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On arrival in Hodka village, you will be amazed by the colourful attire of the locals, the powerful cultural background of the village and its rich art and craft. Don’t miss your chance of experiencing overnight camel safaris, which is a major attraction in the village and shop some leather stuff as a souvenir for your close ones.

•  Location – Hodka, Bhuj, Rann of Kachchh, Gujarat.
• District- Mandla
• Best time – October to February end

2. Banavasi Village, Karnataka – Walk Along the Ancient Capital of Kadamba Kings

Located in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, Banavasi village was the ancient capital of the Kadamba Kings. It houses a community of 1500 artisans, who hold expertise in their various artesian domains such as carving, sandalwood, carpentry, pottery, black smithy, basket making, rangoli, shoe mending and grab attention of the tourists who want to dig into the lifestyle and rich culture of Indian villages.

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According to a Chinese traveller-monk, who visited Banavasi in 630-644 C.E, there were more than a hundred monasteries of both Mahayana and Hinayana sects with 10,000 Buddhist monks and priests. A tour to this village will take you back to the good and old memories of the rural India. Make sure to visit Madhukeshwara Temple built by Jakanacharya, the legendary Hindu architect and attend Kadambotsava festival organized every year by the Karnataka Government in December.

•  Location – Banavasi, Uttar Kannada
• District- Karnataka
• Best time – September to March end

3. Samode Village, Rajasthan – Explore India’s Rural Life

Nestled 42 kms away from Jaipur in the state of Rajasthan in North India, Samode village is the right place to experience the life of Indian villagers, their rich culture and old traditions like agriculture farming, cattle miking, etc. The village is famous worldwide for its haveli, fort and skilled workers.

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A visit to Samode village will give you a lifetime opportunity to feel the aura of Indian rural life and era old culture and traditions that are even today preserved by its locals. Also, it can give you an opportunity to explore rural tourism in India.  Don’t forget to take a long ride on the back of a camel, which can surely double your excitement and allow you to take a glimpse of the village in a far better manner.

• Location – Samode, Jaipur, Rajasthan
• District- Jaipur
• Best time – October to February

4. Chaugan Village, Madhya Pradesh – Witness the Village of the Jungle Book Live

Located in Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh, Chaugan Village is home to indigenous tribes like the– Gonds and Baigas. It is a dream destination and a major tourist attraction for all those who ever dreamt of visiting the village and jungle that was depicted in the Jungle Book written by Rudyard Kipling who was the first admirer of the charm of this village and got inspired to write a book on it.

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Located at the most exotic location, a tour to Chaugan Village will leave you with an exciting experience while allowing you to explore the best of Indian tribal villages.

• Location – Mandla, Chaugan, Near Kanha Wildlife Sanctuary
• District- Mandla
•  Best time – October to February end

5. Nepura Village, Bihar – A Land Where Buddha Burnt Light of Wisdom

Nepura village is located in Nalanda district of Bihar state. The village is famous for silk weaving. It is believed to be the same place where Lord Buddha gave sermons to his followers. Travelling to this small village will offer a wonderful experience of rural India. Popular for Buddhists sites like Nalanda and Rajgir located on the outskirts of the district, Nepura village is listed among the best places to explore the real Indian village. If possible, one must attend the Chath pooja, which is celebrated twice in a year.

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• Location – Silao, Nepura, Rajgir, Nalanda, Bihar
• District- Nalanda
• Best time – October to February

6. Jyotisar Village, Haryana – Enlighten Yourself with the Lessons of Gita

Famous for its religious significance, Jyotisar village is located in Kurukshetra district on the Pehowa road and is believed to be place of origin of the Bhagwad Gita, the holy book of the Hindus. According to legends, it is the place where Lord Krishna interpreted the message of Gita to warrior Arjun, the star of the Great Indian epic Mahabharata. Even today, this village holds the fragrance of the bygone era thereby fascinating visitors who are keen to get an inside view of the villages of India.

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Jyotisar village is worth visiting especially during the lunar and solar eclipses, when pilgrims take the holy dip.

• Location – Jyotisar, Kurukshetra, Haryana
• District- Kurukshetra
•  Best time – October to February end

7. Naggar Village, Himachal Pradesh – Walk Through the Ancient Capital of the Kingdom Of Kullu

Nestled in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, Naggar Village was once the capital of the Kingdom of Kullu. Surrounded by stunning waterfalls, mountains and snow capped range, this beautiful village has its own charm. Its rich architectural style and impressive cultural heritage even today attract village lovers from around and the world.

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Located on the bank of River Beas, Naggar Village offer exciting opportunities to adventure freaks. While travelling to this beautiful Himalayan Village, don’t ignore exploring the ancient temples built in the Shikhara and Pagoda style, which speaks the stories of an ancient era. Also, if you have a zeal for adventure, then you can try different adventure sports like para gliding, river rafting and trekking.

• Location – Naggar, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
• District- Kullu
• Best time – March to June and August to October

8. Lachen Village, Sikkim – Perfect Place to Spot Mighty Kangchendzonga

Dominated by Dzomsa, Lachen is a popular tribal village located in Sikkim. The village is the best place to take a tribal tour in India as it has several pristine lakes, hot water springs, adventurous trekking trails, and age old Lachen Monastry, which all together make it an ideal travel destination among the nature lovers and village life aspirers. Also, the place is famous for offering spectacular views of the world’s third highest mountain peak – Kangchendzonga. In addition to experiencing a rural lifestyle, don’t forget to witness the making of sheep and yak wool in Lachen village.

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• Location – Lachen, North Sikkim, 129kms from Gangtok
• District- Sikkim
• Best time – March to July and October to mid December

9. Aranmula Village, Kerala – A Place That Never Disappoint the Tourist

Located close to the Changannur in Kerala, Aranmula Village is a small village that fascinates village lovers from around the world. It has been declared as a heritage village of incredible India by the India National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). The place is regarded as the birth place of Lord Ayyapan. Preserving the age old culture and tradition, this village offer a glimpse of rural India. It is famous worldwide for its metal mirrors called ‘Aranmula Kannady’ and Snake Boat Race. Visit the Parthasarathy temple of Aranmula and do not forget to explore the rich art and craft of the village.

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• Location – Pathanamthitta, Elanthoor, Kozhencherry
• District – Kerala
• Best time -August to March end

10. Ballavpur Danga Village, West Bengal

Located in the state of West Bengal in East India, Ballavpur Danga Village mainly comprise Santhal tribal community. The village is popular among tourists because of the unique lifestyle of the Santhal tribe and attention grabbing surrounding of the village. Interestingly, it is one of the handful of villages in India that has managed to preserve its age old tribal culture and rich traditions from generations.

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Ballavpur Danga Village is home to the famous Nobel laureates from India- Rabindranath Tagore and Amartya Sen. A tour to this appealing village will be educating and exciting for the visitors.

•  Location – Bolpur, Sriniketan, Suri, Birbhum
• District- West Bengal
• Best time – September to March end

A tour to these eco-friendly tourist villages of India is the best way of experiencing the arresting beauty of rural India. These are some great places to get firsthand experience about the development of agriculture tourism and rural village tourism in the country. India is believed to be a beautiful yet mysterious country dotted with many historical, religious, tribal villages and other interesting travel destinations that can grab anyone’s attention. So, grab the opportunity to travel to the exotic villages of India and plunge into utter tranquillity amid the mesmerizing verdant exquisiteness of nature!