Of late the Indian tourism ministry has been focusing on rural tourism by developing certain Indian villages known for their uniqueness. The idea behind this initiative besides providing a livelihood to the villagers is also aimed at preserving the unique culture and heritage of the villages India and increasing the environmental consciousness among the people.
Defined as an activity which takes place in the countryside, rural or village tourism in India is multi-faceted and may entail farm/agricultural tourism, cultural tourism, nature tourism, adventure tourism, and eco-tourism. Village tourism also aims to benefit the local community economically and socially as well as enabling interaction between the tourists and the locals for a more enriching tourism experience. It is pretty much experience oriented, meshes with seasonality and local events and is based on preservation of culture, heritage, and traditions.
If rural tourism catches and your fancy and inspires you to take an off beaten track, then below are some of the unique villages that you can visit. The good thing is that most of these villages are spread throughout the county so you can take your pick. But do note, accessibility can be a problem so make sure that you have prepared well and done your research.
Rural Tourism Sites and their USPs
VILLAGE TOURISM SITES IN WEST INDIA |
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| States | Name of the Villages | USP |
| Gujarat | Heritage village at Tera | Heritage |
| Village Hodka, District Kachchh | Mirror work/Embroidery | |
| Navagaon and Malegaon villages, District Dang | Culture & Eco-tourism | |
| Nageshwar, District Jamnagar | Mirror Work and Heritage | |
| Dandi Village, District Navsari | Mahatma Gandhi Heritage | |
| Maharashtra | Sulibhanjan-Khultabad District Aurangabad | Sufi tradition and Culture |
| Morachi Chincholi | Farming | |
| Rajasthan | Neemrana, District Alwar | Historical |
| Samode Village, District Jaipur | Lac Work, Pepper painting, Gems stone Painting | |
| Haldighati, District Rajsamand, | Historical | |
VILLAGE TOURISM SITES IN CENTRAL INDIA |
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| States | Name of the Villages | USP |
| Chhattisgarh | Village Chitrakote, District Bastar (I) | Chitrakote Water falls |
| Village Chitrakote,District Bastar (II) | Chitrakote Water falls | |
| Nagarnar, District Bastar | Bell Metal/ Terracota | |
| Kondagaon, District Bastar | Bell Metal/Terracota | |
| Mana-Tuta, District Raipur | Adventure Tourism | |
| Village Chilpi, District Kabirdham | Silk weaving and | |
| Baiga tribe cuilture | ||
| Village Odh, District Raipur | Terracotta | |
| Madhya Pradesh | Chaugan, District Mandla | Lantana Craft |
| Pranpur, District Ashoknagar | Chanderi Sarees | |
| Orchha, District Tikamgarh | Historical and Adventure (River rafting) | |
| Amla, District Ujjain | Historical | |
| Village Devpur, District Vidisha | Spiritual heritage | |
| Seondha, District Datia | Wood and stone craft | |
| Budhni, District Sehore | Historical, Spiritual and Wood craft | |
VILLAGE TOURISM SITES IN EAST INDIA |
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| States | Name of the Villages | USP |
| Bihar | Nepura Village, District Nalanda | Tusser Silk weaving |
| Jharkhand | Amadubi | Art “Pyatkar” painting |
| Deuridih, District Saraikela,Kharsawan | Chhau Dance | |
| Odisha | Raghurajpur, District Puri | Stone Craft and Pattachitra |
| Pipli in Puri District | Applique work | |
| Khiching, District Mayurbhanj | Folk Music “Bhagabat Tongi” Clorite Stone Craving | |
| Barpali, District Bargarh | Sambalpuri sarees | |
| Hirapur, District Khurda | Historical | |
| Padmanavpur, District Ganjam | Puppet Dance, Tiger Dance and Textile weaving | |
| Deuljhari, District Angul, | Spiritual | |
| Gurukul of Konark Natya Mandap | Stone Craft and Pattachitra | |
| West Bengal | Ballabhpur Danga, District Birbhum | Folk Dance |
| Sonada Village, District Darjeeling | Heritage | |
| Mukutmonipur, District Bankura | Sari weaving | |
| Village Antpur, District Hoogly | Sari weaving | |
| Village Kamarpukur,District Hoogly | Spiritual & Craft | |
VILLAGE TOURISM SITES IN SOUTH INDIA |
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| States | Name of the Villages | USP |
| Andhra Pradesh | Pochampalli, District Nalgonda | Cotton & Silk Sarees |
| Konaseema Village,District East Godavari | Eco-tourism (Coast development) | |
| Puttaparthi,District Anantapur | Culture (Spiritual life) | |
| Chinchinada, District East Godavari | Eco-tourism (Coast development) | |
| Srikalahasti, District Chittoor | Kalamkari work | |
| Village Etikoppaka, District Vishakhapatanam | Wood Craft | |
| Village Dharmavaram, Anantapur | Handlooms & Craft | |
| Village Kuchipudi, District Krishna | Culture & Dance form | |
| Village Nirmal, District Adilabad | Paintings | |
| Village Cheriyal, District Warangal | Scroll paintings | |
| Karnataka | Kokkare Bellur, District Bellur | Eco-tourism |
| Attiveri Bird Sanctuary,District Uttar Kannada | Eco-tourism | |
| Banavasi District , Uttar Kannada | Stone machinery, Wood Carving and Musical instruments | |
| Anegundi, District Koppal | Banana Fibre Craft | |
| Coorg, District Kodagu | Coffee Plantation | |
| Kerala | Kumbalangi, District Ernakulam | Ethnic Cuisine and traditional boat ,carpentry |
| Arnamula, District Pathanamthitta | Mural Paining | |
| Balrampur ,District Thiruvananthapuram | Weaving of traditional sarees | |
| Villege Kalady, District Ernakulam | Spices Village | |
| Village Anakkara, District Idukki | Spice Village | |
| Village Clappana | Fishing | |
| Puduchery | Village Alankuppam | Craft |
| Tamil Nadu | Kazhugumalai, District Thoothukudi | Spiritual and Pottery making |
| Theerthamalai, District Dharmapuri | Historical | |
| Karaikudi, Chettinadu,District Sivaganga | Palm leave baskets, Gold Jewelry | |
| Devipattinam Navbhashnam,District Ramnathpuram | Stone Carving | |
| Thirukurungudi, District Tirunelveli | Historical | |
| Thiruppudaimaurthur,District Tirunelveli | Historical | |
| Village Kombai, District Theni | Spice | |
| Thadiyankudissai, District Dindigul, | Spice Village | |
| Village Vedanamalli,District Kancheepuram | Eco-tourism | |
VILLAGE TOURISM SITES IN NORTH INDIA |
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| States | Name of the Villages | USP |
| Haryana | Jyotisar, District Kurukshetra | Dari weaving |
| Himachal Pradesh | Nagar, District Kullu | Topi and Shawl weaving |
| Paragpur, District Kangra | Himachal Heritage | |
| Village Baroh, District Kangra | Gurukul Culture | |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Village Pahalgam, District Anantnag | Pilgrimage |
| Village Akingaam, District Anantnag | Culture(Folk Dance :Bhand Pathar) | |
| Village Drung, District Baramula | Adventure | |
| Village Dandmoh, District Baramulla | Kangri and basket making and carpet weaving | |
| Village Gohan, District Baramulla | Pilgrimage | |
| Village Chahel & Sahakote, District Baramula | Gaba Saji Craft | |
| Surinsar, District Jammu | Adventure (Trekking) | |
| Village Jheri, District Jammu | Adventure | |
| Gagangir, District Srinagar | Adventure | |
| Manasbal, District Srinagar | Carpet weaving | |
| Village Litter, District Phulwama | Pilgrimage | |
| Village Khag, District Budgam | Adventure | |
| Village Tegar Semor, District Leh | Handloom & Craft | |
| Village Marwari karool,District Doda | Pilgrimage | |
| Wader Wader Bala, District Kupwara | Culture | |
| Village Bhawani (Mangla Mata), District Rajouri | Culture | |
| Village Naranag, District Gandherbal | Culture & Craft | |
| Village Hirpora, District Sophian | Adventure (trekking) | |
| Village Vasaknag | Adventure | |
| Village Dori Degair | Cuture | |
| Village Watlab | Adventure (Water | |
| Sports) | ||
| Village Rafiabad | Craft | |
| Village Nowgam | Culture | |
| Village Shar-Shalli | Culture | |
| Punjab | Boothgarh, District Hoshiarpur | Glass Work |
| Rajasansi, District Amritsar | Carpet weaving | |
| Chamkaur, Sahib, District Ropar | Spiritual | |
| Jainti Majri, District Mohali | Woodcraft | |
| Village Chhat | Phulkari Embroidery | |
| Uttarakhand | Jageshwar, District Almora | Spiritual |
| Agora Village (Dodital)District Uttar Kashi | Eco-tourism | |
| Mottad and its satellite station, District Uttarakashi | Eco-tourism | |
| Chekhoni Bora, District Champawat | Adventure | |
| Koti, Indroli, Patyur,District Dehradun | Eco-tourism | |
| Mana, District Chamoli | Trekking Adventure | |
| Village Sari, District Rudraprayag | Eco-tourism | |
| Village Adi Kailash, District Nainital | Adventure | |
| Padmapuri,District Nainital | Adventure | |
| Nanakmatta, District Udham SinghNagar | Spiritual | |
| Tryuginarayan, District Rudraprayag | Spiritual and Adventure | |
| Uttar Pradesh | Bhitar Gram, District Rae Bareli | Historical Culture |
| Mukhrai, District Mathura | Folk Dance | |
| Bhaguwala, District Saharanpur | Ban Grass Craft | |
| Village Barara, District Agra | Handicraft | |
VILLAGE TOURISM SITES IN NORTHEAST INDIA |
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| States | Name of the Villages | USP |
| Assam | Durgapur, District Golaghat | Bamboo Craft and Cuisine |
| Dehing-Patakai Kshetra,District Tinsukia | Culture and Eco tourism | |
| Sualkuchi in District Kamrup | Patta and Moga Silk weaving | |
| Village Asharikandi, District Dhubri | Terracota Craft | |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Village Rengo, District East Siang | Culture and Bamboo Cane handicraft |
| Ligu village, District Upper Subansiri | Culture | |
| Village Ego-Nikte, District West Siang | Culture | |
| Village Nampong, District Changlang | Culture | |
| Village Deke, District West Siang | Ethnic tribal culture | |
| Manipur | Khongion, District Thoubal | Manipur Dance |
| Village Noney, District Tamenglong | Manipur Dance | |
| Andro, District East Imphal | Bamboo Craft | |
| Village Liyai, District Senapati | Ethnic culture | |
| Meghalaya | Village lalong, District Jaintia Hills | Adventure |
| Village Sasatgre, District West Garo Hills | Bamboo Craft | |
| Village Mawlynnong, District East Khasi Hills | Eco-tourism | |
| Mizoram | Village Thenzawl, District Serchchip | Handloom weaving and ethnic culture |
| Nagaland | Mopunchupket, District Mokokchung | Shawl weaving |
| Avachekha, District Zunheboto | Tribal Culture | |
| Changtongia, District Mokokchung | Tribal Culture | |
| Leshumi, District Phek | Tribal Culture and | |
| Adventure | ||
| Thetsumi, District Phek | Tribal Culture | |
| Kuki Dulong, District Dimapur | Tribal Culture | |
| Longsa, District Mokokchung | Tribal Culture | |
| Mitikhru, District Phek | Art & Craft (Woodcraft), Hand loom | |
| Chungli Yimti,District Tuensang | Historical & Tribal Culture | |
| Village Longjam, District Zunheboto | Craft /Hand loom (Mekhala and Shawls)/Culture | |
| Village Shena Old, District Zunheboto | Adventure (trekking and bird-watching) | |
| Village Longidang, District Wokha | Wood craft and carving | |
| Sikkim | Lachen , District North District | Rugs and Carpet |
| Chumbung, District West Sikkim | Eco-tourism (Home stay) | |
| Tingchim, District West Sikkim | Trekking, Bird watching and Butterflies | |
| Maniram Bhanjgyang | Culture | |
| Village Rong | Culture | |
| Village Jaubari, District South Sikkim | Adventure & Eco tourism | |
| Village Tumin, District East Sikkim | Culture | |
| Village Srijunga Martam, District West Sikkim | Culture | |
| Village Darap, District West Sikkim | Eco Tourism | |
| Village Pastenga Gaucharan, District East Sikkim | Culture and Ethnic Lifestyle | |
| Village Pendam Gadi Budang, District East Sikkim | Culture | |
| Tripura | Kamlasagar, District West Tripura | Historical |
| Jampui Hills, District North Tripura | Eco-tourism | |
| Durgabari, District West Tripura | Tea Gardens | |
| Devipur, District West Tripura | Farming | |
| Malayanagar, District West Tripura | Tribal Culture and Eco-tourism | |
| Village Banabithi, District West Tripura | Eco-tourism and tea gardens | |
| Village Harijula, District South Tripura | Eco-tourism | |
| Village Kalapania, District Sonamara Sub Division | Religious | |
| Village Sarsima, District Belonia | Eco-tourism | |
| Village Bagbari, District Sadar Sub Division | Eco – Tourism | |