Top Hidden Villages of India for Slow Tourism
I am from Odisha and I was fortunate to travel to Raghurajpur, Puri for self exploration and spending my vacation. I was amazed by the handmade craftworks qualitatively. This intensified my curiosity to make a research on unexplored villages in India and after making a good indepth study, I am sharing this detailed article on offbeat village stays and rural tourism in India with deep traditional values.
Here are five lesser-known Indian villages rich in deep cultural heritage with how to reach guide, each with its own unique history, art, or spiritual significance. You can add these places to bucket list of hidden rural heritage explorations.
(I) Hodka Village – Kutch, Gujarat
Scenic Rural Beauty at Hodka, Kutch, Gujarat (Image Courtsey: Google Maps)
Two main Gujarati communities i.e. the Meghwal and Rabari people live here and they are well known for their majestic embroidery, leatherwork, and mud-hut (bhunga) architectural culture. Ancient Folk music, Banni Craftworks and desert lifestyle are highlight points of Kutch's rural areas.
Situated 63Kms from Bhuj District Headquarters, it is well connected by rail, road & air. Nearest airport is Bhuj (BHJ), situated nearly 80Kms away from the great rann of Kutch. You get to stay in unique Kutch's traditional themed hotels with local palatable savories. Best time travel here is during Indian Spring season i.e. March-April, with flowers blossoming and cool frangant air blowing, you get to enjoy unmatched love vibes here.
(II) Banavasi – Uttara Kannada, Karnataka
This ancient South Indian village is rich in historical Kannada and Sanskrit literatures. The famous Madhukrshwara Temple and Kadambothsava festival are its heritage highlights. It was once served as the capital of the Kadamba dynasty in 4th century.
(A Traditional Architecture at Banavasi, Courtsey: Google Maps)
If you are interested in studying historical and architectural literatures and monuments, you must pay your visit to Banavasi. It is well connected by road, rail and air. Regular bus services are available from Sirsi and Bengaluru. Nearest Railway station is Banavasi and the nearest Airport is 80-90Kms away at Hubbali (HBX).
(III) Raghurajpur – Odisha
(Image Credit: Google Maps)
This is a village enriched with invaluable Odia traditions and cultural craftworks, purely made by hands. No modern tool or any such technical aid is taken in preparing classy and flawless pattachitra paintings, palm leaf etchings and wall arts that depict unadulterated cultural vibes. The famous Gotipua dance, which is an essential part of daily worship rituals at Sri Jagannath Temple, Puri and considered as precursor of the famous Odissi dance, is widely taught by the traditional dance gurus here. The entire village comprises of learned scholars and cultural artists, upkeeping and safeguarding Odisha's evershining traditional values. This is a certified village by the Indian National Trust fir Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).
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You can schedule your visit to India with a minimum of 10-15 days package if you are a non-Indian citizen and make Raghurajpur part of your India remote heritage exploration. You can reach Raghurajpur Via Puri by Bus, Taxi or Train. Nearest Airport is at Bhubaneswar (BBI), approximately 90 Kms away. Hotels or highlight homestays are always available online for better safety.
Best time to visit Raghurajpur is during late May or early June every year, making your travel plan a combo exploration as you can attend the world famous Sri Jagannath Rathyatra at Puri in the middle or later half of June if you have a prolonged stay.
(IV) Majuli – Assam
First of all, this is an UNESCO World Heritage site to note. This northeast Indian hidden human habitat is perhaps World's largest river island, featuring traditional 'ankiya naat' dance drama, clay pottery works and mask makings. Many Sankarites (followers of Sri Sankardeva and his philosophy) reside here as it has agehold vaisnavite monastic culture prevalent in its region. You must visit the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve if you are in Majuli.
Image: Google Maps
(Picturesque Night View of Tunga River Bridge at Thirthahali; Image Courtesy - Google Maps)
You can visit Majuli (or Majoli) via Guwahati or Jorhat by bus, rail and air. Jorhat is the nearest Airport, well connected to major Indian Airports and suitable for foreign travellers. Best time to travel to Majuli is March-April.
(V) Theerthahalli – Shimoga, Karnataka
This ageold locality is well related to the 6th incarnation of Lord Vishnu in Hindu religion, Lord Parashurama, picturised by scriptures as a powerful sage holding bow and arrow with left hand and an axe in right hand, exhibiting the mood of aggression to save the righteous and punish the miscreants. It is situated on the bank of Tunga river.
Theerthahali (or Thirthahali) is blended with cultural, spiritual and traditional legacies, literatures and values by Kannada writers. Folklores, malnad architechtures and Agumbe rainforests are main heritage highlights of this place.
You can visit Thirthahali via Bengaluru by Bus, Taxi, Rail or Air. Best time to travel is during November to January as it suits the climate.
