Rural Tourism
India

BEST TOURISM VILLAGE

2023

Issue

Central Nodal Agency for
Rural Tourism India

State Level Meeting for the Best Tourism Village Competition 2024 and Best Rural homestay Competition 2024

Ministry of Tourism, Government of India on 15th November 2024 had launched the Best Tourism Village Competition 2024 and Best Rural homestay Competition 2024. A meeting with the state/UTs was organized under the chairmanship of Additional Secretary Shri. Rakesh Verma, for the review of the State participation in both the competitions. CNA-RT & RH presented the status of applications received from the states/UTs.

Meeting with NABARD

A meeting with NABARD was held on 29th January 2024 in IITTM, Gwalior for the development of Rural Tourism in Madhya Pradesh. The meeting was attended by officials from NABARD including the Chief General Manager, General Manager and Deputy General Manager, Director Skill Tourism from Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, Director IITTM, Nodal Officer CAN RT & RH along with the industry stakeholders from the industry working in the Rural Areas. The meeting involve the discussions for the upliftment of rural economy through tourism with the inter-departmental convergence.

Mumbai Festival 2024

Mumbai Festival held in Mumbai, Maharashtra from 20-28 January 2024. CNA RT & RH was invited by Maharashtra Tourism Board to join as a panelist, for sharing the insights on the significance of Rural Tourism in India, its benefits for stakeholders, and its positive impact on the economy and tourism.
Nodal Officer - CNA RT & RH through a session on 24 January 2024, shared the initiatives of the Ministry of Tourism for the promotion and development of Rural Tourism in India.

Knowledge Dissemination and Awareness Programme for District Tourism Nodal Officer (DSO) & District Level tourism Specialist (DLTS) for Jharkhand Tourism.

Jharkhand Tourism invited CNA RT & RH for a session in Knowledge Dissemination and Awareness Programme for District Tourism Nodal Officer (DSO) & District Level tourism Specialist (DLTS). CNA RT & RH showcased the prospects of Rural tourism in India and how the Ministry of Tourism is strategizing the development of rural tourism in the country. CNA RT & RH also discussed the purpose and principles of the Best Tourism Village Competition.

Maharashtra Tourism Conclave

CNA RT & RH was invited to the Maharashtra State Tourism Conclave by Maharashtra Tourism Board on 7 February 2024. CNA RT & RH discussed the initiatives that Maharashtra Tourism can initiate for the development of Rural tourism. Also in the discussion CNA RT & RH had shared the strategies for the convergence of the Ministry of Tourism with the State Tourism department.

UNWTO FAM Trip to Nagaland

Khonoma Village from Nagaland was selected in the Upgrade Program of the UNWTO in the 2022. In the Upgrade Program UNWTO provide customized mentoring by international experts to support villages to address weaknesses and improve elements of the areas identified as gaps in the evaluation process along with the fast track entry in the competition. In progression to the Upgrade Program a Familiarization Visit to Khonoma Village was organized from 23 – 27 February 2024. The FAM Trip included one-to-one interactions with the one focus groups of all areas including the stakeholders, covering all sectors and evaluation areas, especially the gap areas of the candidacy. CNA RT & RH being the national focal point showcased the initiatives of the Ministry of Tourism for the development of rural tourism.

FAM Trip to Reiek Mizoram

Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has selected 35 Best Tourism Villages across the states and union territories. As part of the 12 Action Plan, the second Familiarization and Experience Sharing Visit was conducted to Reiek Village in Mizoram, recognized as the Best Tourism Village under Gold category. The visit was conducted in collaboration with state tourism board and Ministry of Tourism Government of India. Over 20 representatives from Tripura, Nagaland, Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh participated in the Fam Trip. Sessions on Best Practices, discussions with the local community and sharing experiences was undertaken during the trip.

1. How did your background in studying Hindi and South Asian cultures influence your decision to start Holidays in Rural India?

My company developed quite organically; though my studies are what made it possible. Although my Hindi is far from fluent, it’s still quite rare for foreigners to speak Hindi and doing so meant time travelling in rural areas was infinitely more interesting (for me but also for the people I met), the most striking and enjoyable thing for me in those early days was realising that I could spend more time talking to women and to older people as they were the least likely to speak English. This was mainly in Chhattisgarh. In 2006 I met an Englishman called John Ash who had lived with a Muria Gond family Bastar, spent time in the village gotul (a rare thing for an outsider to be invited in), he spoke fluent Gondi, and was a man whose integrity and ethics have shaped me both personally and professionally. He founded a travel company called GreenGondwana as he saw tourism was coming to the region and wanted to lay an ethical foundation. When he passed away very sadly and suddenly the remaining team asked me to take on the company, there have been a few forks in the road since then but that is basically how I began.

2. Could you share more about your experiences working with the local communities in rural India and how they have contributed to the foundation of your company?

I’m so pleased to read the wording of your question ‘how they have contributed to the foundation of your company’ there’s a lot of emphasis on tourism being good for local communities but not nearly enough on what local communities contribute to tourism. How could I do anything without the support of local communities. Honestly I am constantly bowled over by the warm welcome I/we receive in villages, most particularly from communities who haven't always been served well by outsiders. Clearly the groundwork has been laid for me pretty much wherever I go as I have mostly sought out rural experiences for guests through NGOs and social enterprises already working in the area, so that we can help one another but also to ensure that I don't unknowingly trample or intrude.

I must also mention many brilliant small businesses that do not get the attention they deserve, particularly amongst the inbound foreign tourist market. As an FTO it is FAR easier to send guests to a large established hotel than for example to a homestay. No common language and very different

attitudes towards, for example, privacy, make rural stays complicated. But what I notice amongst these smaller players is a cooperation that bigger businesses would do well to observe. We can all do better things for this world if we work together rather than in competition. This year after one visit on an MPT responsible tourism FAM, one other solo visit, and a third visit by a colleague, I felt I could send guests to Kamla-Rekha homestay in Orchha. This was only possible thanks to the support of Manohar Kewat of Ram Raja adventures in Orchha, who stayed with the guests, helped translate, liaised with me extensively before the trip but took totally responsibility throughout it. These two days were the two days that my guests talked about most after their trip; sure it wasn't as comfortable as the more luxurious lodges they stayed in but they lit up when they talked about it - a two night stay that ended up involving many local people.

3. What inspired you to focus on offering enriching learning experiences for travellers while also benefiting local communities?

I feel quite strongly that, particularly in light of the climate emergency (which has been largely caused by global northerners though the impact of which is being largely felt by global southerners), there has to be some benefit to 'offset' the unquestionably negative impact aeroplane and car travel has on the environment.

One benefit is tourism as a route for education of the traveller. At the risk of sounding deeply patronising I do hope, and in the main believe, that my guests leave India with a slightly different outlook on their own lives; an awareness of their huge privileges; an awareness of the impact their life choices have on other people; but also a shift in their perspective of 'poor' India. We (foreigners and prosperous city dwelling Indians alike) may for example view children playing barefoot outside a village home with pity, until encouraged to compare the sturdy life skills and imagination these kids have compared to our over pampered, over fed brats who are spoon fed in front of screens from infancy.

Another is changing people's spending habits: guests who are taught a skill by women in a Pashoo Pakshee centre for example see at first-hand how small organisations like Pashoo Pakshee can have a huge impact on individual’s and their families’ lives, it's so easy then for people to always choose to buy their gifts from organisations like these and not exploitative corporations.

4. Can you elaborate on the unique experiences and activities that guests can expect when they book a holiday through Holidays in Rural India?

Firstly I'd probably suggest people go without too many expectations, it's rarely the stuff in the main itinerary that people talk about when they return and almost invariably they unexpected events. The first thing I encourage guests to do is to slow down - to excise half the destinations they may have on their lists and double (or triple) the time in each destination. In this way unique experiences often develop naturally - guests have time to get to know their hosts, and the staff employed by their hosts, and hosts and staff have time to get to know the guests and in this way genuinely tailored experiences emerge: a potter guest's village walk gets adapted to include a full morning potting with the village kumhar rather than just a drop by; a guest who is interested in plants and shrubs adds an extra buffer zone walk with the focus on flora rather than fauna; a foodie guest has a market trip added to her itinerary so she can watch samosas being made and eat them hot and fresh. I always add in rest days and rest afternoons and I find it interesting that the more space people are given in their itineraries the more likely they are to skip even more of the ‘fixtures’ in their itinerary and choose instead to walk back to the chai shop they stopped at on their first day, revisit the cricket tournament that is going on in the field behind the lodge, or cycle off on their own to sit and sketch surrounded by a curious bunch of children.

5. How is your organisation contributing to the growth of the rural society and the area?

I’m afraid I couldn't possibly claim that it is. All I can say is that the totally brilliant organisations that I work with, are! Pashoo Pakshee has artisans working in villages close to three national parks and is now collaborating with other organisations like Earth Focus, using PP's platform to market and sell their village produce. Earth Focus has helped a village of people from the Baiga community who were relocated from Kanha National Park to learn sustainable farming skills that have helped the village become self-sufficient with short: (chillies, veg, herbs); medium (millets, bamboo); and long (mango and other fruit trees) term systems for growing and selling produce. The villagers all used to migrate for low daily wage work (with all the problems that come with that, children missing school, adults vulnerable to exploitation, months of no work which was filled with aimless drinking etc) last year in just its fourth year not one villager migrated. More and more other local villages are now

asking EF to help them. The educational programmes that EF operate before the school day begins are helping children who haven't traditionally done well in the school system, keep up with (and in fact outperform) their peers when they proceed to high school. Equally importantly these educational sessions teach the children to have pride in their landscape, their forest, their culture.

6. In your experience, what are the challenges faced in developing and promoting tourism in rural areas?

I find the word 'development' very problematic - in my experience development often means destruction of traditional infrastructure or landscape and the arrival of concrete. The very lives and livelihoods that people are coming to India to see are being erased as people are shamed into feeling that their eco-friendly 'garmi mein thanda hai, thandi mein garam hai' mud and wattle homes that have been part of India's landscape for literally thousands of years are 'kachha' (there is value judgement in that word whatever people might say) and that they are inferior until they have a pukka (ie concrete wala) makan. I wouldn't want to deny anyone the right to a concrete home but I feel they are being seen as a gift when in fact they are a curse. A curse for the environment (concrete is responsible for 8% of global CO2 emissions – that’s 4 x the global CO2 emissions caused by aviation) and a curse on the health of the people who find themselves living in walls that are not suited to the very particular climate their previous homes were designed to cope with. I wish people could be given financial support in the maintenance of their homes. Nowhere else in the world are so many people living in homes that have been the same style possibly for millenia. What an architectural heritage you have in these beautiful mud homes!

It seems to me that this should be seen as a source of enormous pride for India and yet for some reason it is seen as something of which to be ashamed.

A smaller scale challenge is timing, needing to encourage guests to be flexible (another reason why longer stays work better 'we can't visit this village today because someone is getting married but it's ok you are here for six nights we'll go in another day); encouraging trust and flexibility in guests, this comes easily with repeat guests (of whom I have many).

7. How does your organization support and promote women entrepreneurs in the rural tourism sector, and if so, could you provide examples of successful initiatives?

Savini Sonavaria of Pashoo Pakshee has been crucial in helping me add activities that support people living close to national parks but who are necessarily employed by or benefiting from the park business. 90% of her team are female. Her team also make all my guests folders, my guests gifting (key charms, bag tags for identification etc).

I have begun discussions with Earth Focus, Kanha regarding employing women in the villages they support as cycle guides. The plan is that HiRI would fund online English lessons for some young women and EF would design village experiences which the young women would lead – early days but I’m very excited by this.

Until now I have worked solo but this season began working with a woman DMC who employs other women on her team. Her ethics match, and challenge) mine – I was her who when I bemoaned language barriers said ‘well fund English lessons then’!

What are your thoughts on the initiative taken by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India for the promotion of Rural Tourism in India?

Well as you probably know I was hugely impressed by the responsible tourism projects I saw on a trip with MPT in 2022, a trip which has added various destinations to my itineraries. There is SO much good that can come from sensitive thoughtful rural tourism.
I am less impressed by development that takes culture out of its place and turns it into a made up imitation. I think guests should (with local agreement) be taken to see culture at source not for culture that is still so alive and vibrant in so many parts of India to be seen solely in museums or imitation villages.

8. Do you envision the future of rural tourism in India, and what role do you see Holidays in Rural India playing in shaping that future?

Well it could go either way couldn't it? Tourism is only ever a good thing if it improves the lives of its hosts, and it is particularly important to think about this when the planning is coming from high up and far away, and the host communities may be ones who don't feel they have much of a voice. People like Manisha Pande of Village Ways have set a fine example of cautious, community led growth, the results of which may be slow, but aren't damaging environment and culture in a rush to gain numbers, money and glory, and are thus sustainable in the very best most holistic sense. I can’t play a major role in shaping this future, only in making a noisy example of myself doing what I believe is right, listening to the those who have far more knowledge than I do, and in always making choices based on ethics not costs.

Rural Tourism - Andhra Pradesh

Rural tourism does not only mean farm-based tourism as it includes farm-based tourism, nature tourism, ecotourism, Wellness tourism, climbing, horse riding, adventure, sport and fishing, research tourism, arts and heritage tourism, cultural tourism and, in some areas, ethnic tourism.

Andhra Pradesh State stood in No.1 position during 2020-21 complying SDG-7 in respect of Affordable and Clear Energy and 66.64% of State’s population live in Rural Areas. 3.46 Crore People live in Villages. There are 135 monuments of national importance in the State out of 280 protected monuments. 7 Temple Eco-parks, 13 Wild Life Sanctuaries, 3 National Parks, 1 Tiger Reserve, 1 Elephant reserve and 1 Bio-sphere existing in the State covering 21.87% of State Forest Area and is fit for tourism promotion. Tribal population accounts for 5.53% of total population of the State.

The State has magnificent tourist locations. The lush green Araku Valley, Lambasingi popularly known as “Kashmir of Andhra” and Horsley Hills (considered as one of the best hill resorts of Andhra Pradesh) in Chittoor District are captivating. The heritage landmarks like Lepakshi, and Gandikota-the great canyon of India is the only similar destination which depicts great canyon at Arizona, USA.

Andhra Pradesh is known as the land of Buddhism, Buddhist circuits in Visakhapatnam Hub and Vijayawada Hub are optimal specimens of Buddhist legacy.

In the same line, equally famous Etikoppaka Toys, Madhavamala wood carvings, Durgi Stone Carving, Uppada Silks, Venkatagiri Art, Mangalagiri weaving sarees and Ponduru Khadi having age-old legacy in Andhra Pradesh.

Rural Tourism Significance in Andhra Pradesh

The State is fascinating with unique Art & Crafts and there is huge scope for rural tourism in each of its Districts, providing livelihoods to several thousand communities, some of which have been practicing these art forms & crafts for several centuries. These are the true testimonies to the rich ancient cultural heritage of the State. Enhancing, Fostering, and promotion of Rural Art, Craft and Culture shall endeavour to form unique identity for the State. One of the initial steps shall be to integrate the local Arts, Crafts, & Cuisine with all important tourism activities in the State through enhancing Rural Tourism.

The world-famous classical dance Kuchipudi originated in Kuchipudi Village of Andhra Pradesh. The Art of Kalamkari and Kondapalli wood crafts are existing here for more than 400 years and unique in nature.

State is contemplating the development of thematic tourism circuits with main focus on rural development engaging the local community in various forms such as :

River Tourism

• Godavari Circuit Rajamundry – Sinhapalli – Badrachallam – Pochavaram – Sinhapalli - Rajamundry

• Konaseema Circuit Rajamundry/Vijayawada – Dindi – Antravedi – Dindi – Konaseema – Razole – Dindi

• Krishna Circuit Vijayawada – Vykuntapuram – Harichandrapuram – Amaravati - Muthyala

• Backwater Circuit Bapatla – Suryalanka – Nizampatnam

Eco-Tourism

Araku, Maredumilli, Horsley Hills are potential rural locations for Eco-Tourism.

Spiritual Tourism

Tirumala, Ahobillam, Yaganti, Mantralayam, Puttaparti, Srikalahasti, Mahanandi.

Heritage Tourism

Lepakshi, Chandragiri Fort, Gandikota

Adventure Tourism

Tirumala, Ahobillam, Yaganti, Mantralayam, Puttaparti, Srikalahasti, Mahanandi.

Art & Culture

Kalamkari Art, Etikoppaka Toys, Uppada Silk, Kuchipudi dance

Schemes for Rural Development

• Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has given approval for 1. development of Gandikota with end-to-end tourist experience of Gorge and Fort 2. Development of end-to-end experience of Borra Caves at Araku-Lambasingi destination under Swadesh Darshan 2.0.

• Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has also accorded approval for 1. development of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy vari Devasthanam at Simhachalam in Visakhpatnam District 2. Development of Annavaram, Andhra Pradesh under PRASHAD Scheme.

• Ministry of Tourism approved the projects at Ahobilam under Spiritual Category and Nagarjunakonda under Heritage category, under Challenge Based Destination Management for extending soft interventions required for the destination development and both fall under rural areas.

• Gandikota is popularly known as an Adventure Tourism destination. There is an Adventure Sports Academy established to give a fillip to Adventure activities in the tourism sector.

• Ahobilam is famous for Spiritual and Wellness tourism. An annual footfall of 5 lakh tourists visits to Ahobillam in different occasions.

• Nagarjunakonda is a famous Buddhist spot and international tourists from Thailand, Taiwan, Japan visit this place and is potential destination for Agri-Tourism.

Policy

Andhra Pradesh Tourism Policy 2020-25 : To revamp the tourism sector and propel it to world-class status, the government has unveiled the Tourism Policy 2020-25. This visionary policy adopts a theme-based approach, offering a plethora of incentives to attract esteemed investors for establishing tourism projects across the state.

Initiatives

Tourism Authority is coordinating with the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development of the State in providing road connectivity to the prominent Tourism destinations under MNREGS.
In order to position India as a preferred global destination for Eco/sustainable and responsible tourism, Ministry of Tourism has formulated National Strategies for Eco Tourism and Sustainable Tourism.
Recognizing the potential for the development of Eco tourism in the State, Tourism Department has identified 42 Eco-Tourism Spots across the State for the enhancing the tourism experience.

Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation Limited (APFDC) developed two locations – Suryalanka Nature Camp and Anantagiri Nature Camp.
Oberoi Group has evinced interest to set up the development of luxury independent Villas at Gandikota and Horsely Hills.

Suryalanka Nature Camp

Located about 10 KMs away from Suryalanka Beach, the Suryalanka Nature Camp gives a rich experience and enthrals the visitors seeing the natural forests as well as Miyawaki High Density Forest raised by APFDC and its Cashew estates surrounding the Nature Camp.
A comfortable stay in the eco-friendly cottages and the dormitory developed by APFDC including food and local cuisine provided in its cafeteria. Nature adventure, Nature walk, the bird watching, and Beach Safari are the activities in addition to Camp fire, watching wildlife movies are being facilitated to the tourists.

APTDC has created a beach resort at the location.

Anantagiri Nature Camp

Located about 1 km away from Anathagiri village. The Anathagiri nature camp gives a rich experience and enthrals the visitors seeing the natural forests as well as Coffee plants raised by APFDC. The visitors find it very comfortable to stay in the eco-friendly cottages and the dormitory developed by APFDC.
Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Pulicat Wildlife Sanctuary are the proposed locations, identified by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Wildlife Division in state for resource mobilisation and community participation

State Government identified the Tourism clusters in Rural Areas to take up under National Rurban Mission at the Padmapuram village of Araku valley, Visakhapatnam, Rampachodavaram of East Godavari and Koteswara Durga puram of West Godavari.
State Government is working with SIDBI for creation of required infrastructure for the Identified Tourist Clusters under SCDF scheme for the promotion of Rural Tourism.

1. What trends do you currently observe in the tourism industry, especially in the context of rural and village tourism?

Post Covid, tourism trends witnessed changes and there is a rise in domestic tourists travelling within India. There is an inclination to travel to off -beat locations and also a growing interest towards visiting and staying in villages to experience rural life. Pre Covid, the inbound market was seen as a more prominent source of bookings for rural tourism offerings and the dependency of tour operators and rural tourism companies, was mainly on international travellers. In the absence of international travellers visiting India, tour companies and operators focussed their efforts on domestic market, which also helped to create more marketing avenues within India. Also the efforts from few state governments like Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, have helped to promote the concept of Rural tourism. For international market to return, much efforts are required to reassure travellers of health care facilities especially around remote rural locations. Based on our experiences so far, inbound market has shown recovery from 2023.

4. How does the Village Ways contribute to the broader goals and initiatives of UNWTO in promoting rural tourism?

Village Ways concept is very much aligned to the goals of UNWTO. The aim of our projects is to build livelihood sources for the local communities through tourism. There is a fair distribution of work across the wider community with focus on participation by economically weaker section of the society. There is also a fixed percentage for women participation across all tourism committees, to ensure that they are part of decision making and all tourism activities. Trainings are provided in aspects of hospitality, Health and Hygiene, Language, Guiding etc. Again stress is that these trainings equip the communities with self- confidence and pride in their rich heritage and surrounding environment. We believe that tourism can be used for the holistic development of a rural area, if the ownership rests with the local communities and they work collectively for the development of their regions.

2. Can you share some best practices or successful strategies you've come across in promoting sustainable tourism in rural areas?

We started our work in 2004, when there were very limited examples of rural tourism to refer to and learn from. Therefore, our concept started taking shape from our own research about what model of tourism will work for the benefit of the wider communities in rural areas and how we can minimize the negative impacts on social, cultural and environmental aspects. Overall the two strategies that worked in our projects, were first to bring the communities together to run a tourism enterprise thereby focussing on both shared benefits and shared responsibilities. The second strategy which is also very important, is to keep tourism as an additional source of income for the rural communities rather than it replacing the traditional practices such as farming or fishing etc. This principle helped the resilience of the communities during covid, when tourism activities completely stopped for over 2 years.

5. What kind of support or policies do you think are crucial from governments to facilitate the growth of rural tourism?

Government can support in scaling up good models of tourism, which are well tested on ground. Policies could also be reviewed from time to time , so that there is more practical application and good output of resources provided by the government. Government can also support for trainings and capacity building. Another very important aspect which could be facilitated by government , is tourism institution building at community level, its registration process and also some support for compliancesrelated to managingtourism institutions registered at village community level. Government can also assist on aspects like carrying capacity checksand use of alternate energy usage and encourage responsible tourism practices. Improving access and other basic facilities, will also help promote rural tourism.

3. In your experience, what are the key challenges faced in developing and promoting tourism in rural destinations?

In our experience, for developing a rural tourism destination, the first challenge is to find the resources to build the infrastructure and other facilities. The other challenge, is to bring the community together and convince them to get involved in a benefit sharing model of tourism with shared responsibilities. If the community members work only for their individual interests and benefits , then there is no collective responsibility taken to work towards overall positive development of their community and their village. Another major challenge is marketing especially if the villages are not around tourism zones. The promotions of rural tourism, needs very different strategy, with care to avoid over tourism or disbalance of expectations against realities. In the longer run, marketing can play a very important role to keep up the motivation of the communities and also for the impacts on the wider community and the villages. Also trainings are necessary for being able to professionally run the tourism enterprises and maintain standards of services and this aspect requires support.

6. In what ways do you see technology and innovation playing a role in the future of rural tourism development?

Through technology, there is a benefit for independent marketing avenues for Rural Tourism practitioners. Also, if there is better internet connectivity, then rural areas, can also offer digital payment options to guests, which is much preferred by travellers. Further this will reassure people especially travelling to remote regions of rural India for safety , if the connectivity is better. Innovations can help create build a network of village enterprises , which can support each other and also do cross marketing.
Overall technology and innovation can help to scale up the rural tourism activities, but there cannot be any replacement to human touch and therefore this aspect of personal touch is very important right from booking stage to the looking after of guests in the villages and that is what makes the rural tourism have its own identity.

7. For individuals or entrepreneurs looking to start rural homestays or tourism initiatives, what advice would you give them based on your experiences?

For those looking at starting a rural homestay, the first step is to assess the market potential, as nothing would work if there is no marketing linkages. It is important to set a basic standard list for the facilities you can comfortably provide and maintain, keeping the focus on hygiene and safety. It is always good to create your own benchmarks of standards and also have some basic principles, which you will follow and not change for any guests. This helps build your reputation and also brings a very positive long term impact on the village . It is also important that if there are other rural homestays in your village, you work together in close cooperation rather than competing with each other. If the area is away from tourism zones, then the best way would be to collaborate with responsible tour operators who also work on destination building and support you for marketing and also for maintaining necessary standards for guests.

8. Does the Village Ways actively support and promote women entrepreneurs in the rural tourism sector, and if so, could you provide examples of successful initiatives?

Village Ways supports participation of women at every level of work. With rural communities, there is a fixed percentage of women participation in all ‘Village Tourism committees’ where they are involved in decision making and get equal opportunities for participation in tourism related trainings and activities. We also offer women only tours for our guests which are led by women guides.

9. What are your thoughts on the initiative taken by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, in launching the Best Tourism Village Competition and Best Rural Homestay Competition?

These are very encouraging initiatives and will promote Rural Tourism Enterprises and if the selected villages are supported by the

government to progress and develop further, this will also motivate the development of the village in all aspects and will encourage others to also take part in such initiatives.

10. What opportunities do you see for the growth and expansion of rural tourism in India as a result of these competitions?

I feel that post covid, when tourism is reviving, this is a right timing for increasing awareness about the importance of conserving Rural India and fostering village life. These competitions are rightly timed to motivate and encourage communities to celebrate their traditional , cultural and environmental heritage and also offer a privileged opportunity to travellers to visit and stay in their villages. The growth and sustainability of Rural tourism depends mainly on what principles it has been developed and when communities are collectively working towards using tourism as a tool for overall development of their villages.

About Lepakshi

Lepakshi consists of three shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and 'Veerabhadra'. On one of the hillocks near the place is known as "Kurma Saila" (tortoise shaped hill), are located the temples of 'Papanatheswara', 'Raghunatha', 'Srirama', 'Veerabhadra' and 'Durga', of which the Veerabhadra temple is the most important.

Veerabhadra temple is a notable example of the Vijayanagar style of architecture. A reference is made in the 'Skandapurana' to Lepakshi as one of the hundred and eight important 'Shaiva Kshetras' (shrines). Though the temple of Veerabhadra is claimed to have been constructed by Saint 'Agastya' himself, it was developed into the present exquisite shrine by 'Virupanna', the treasurer of the Vijayanagar Kings. He conceived the idea as he found the image of Veerabhadra.

The Temple Complex in Lepakshi is a medieval architectural wonder to witness. The most astonishing architectural marvel of Lepakshi is the Hanging Pillar of Veerabhadra Temple. The pillar does not rest on the ground completely but hangs in the air, with enough space between its base and the ground to pass a sheet of paper or a small twig through it- fully to emerge on the other side. Out of the 70 pillars at the stone temple, which was built in 1583 AD, in the Vijayanagar style of architecture by brothers Virupanna and Veeranna, this particular pillar stands out as a triumphant masterpiece of architecture. The Archaeological Survey of India has proven that this pillar was not constructed as a mistake, but was built intentionally to prove the brilliance of the builders of the time.

The gigantic bull (Monolithic Nandi) in couchant posture is a grand cut out sculpture of a huge granitic rock. This monolithic sculpture is a unique example of its kind in the country. It faces west and is looking towards the Nagalinga located behind the Veerabhadra temple. It is 10 metre in length and of 6 metre height. It is decorated with a necklace, muvvahara and a hara of bells and has short horns.

The Ramayana Trail is a pilgrimage route that follows the legendary journey of Lord Rama, as chronicled in the Hindu epic Ramayana where divine bird Jatayu fell down as it is tried to save Goddess Sita from demon king Ravana. This sacred trail spans across multiple states in India and encompasses various significant sites associated with the epic's narrative. Further, Lepakshi plays an important role in promoting the Ramayana Trail.

Art and Culture Patronized by the Rulers of Vijayanagara Kingdom

Art-forms confined in a piece of Leather, each narrating a story of its own. These beautifully Handcrafted art is one of its kind as they have multiple daytime views, With Light and Without Light. You might have seen the Play of Puppetry but have you Imagined them adorning your walls in the form of Wall painting, Lampshades, Wall Frames, and Wall Hangings. The moment the Light enters these Leather Puppets, the etches give out a diamond effect and the illuminating colours bring life back into the Puppets.
Dharmavaram's specialty lies in its exquisite sarees, renowned for their intricate weaving and vibrant designs, and its unique style of puppetry, which showcases the town's rich cultural heritage and artistic excellence.

Lepakshi Utsavalu is a State owned Festival celebrated  in Lepakshi to create awareness on the cultural diversity of Lepakshi. This festival creates an opportunity to the locals as well as the people at nearby places to explore the business opportunities and setup stalls accordingly. This includes food & culinary, handicrafts, handlooms, sports and competitions, vegetable carvings etc, are held and active public participation is involved.
Archaeology Survey of India gives permission for movie shootings and to conduct cultural events enhancing the promotion of Lepakshi.

Other Existing nearby Hotels/ Accommodations

• Hotel Brindavan,

• Hotel Minerva Grand,

• Hotel Taj Tristar,

• Incredible One Hotel,

• Asrani International Hotel,

• The Grand Solitaire Hotel,

• Hotel Annapoorna Residency,

• Hotel Maya Deluxe,

• Sana Heritage Inn,

Local Cuisines

Local Culinary of the region are Ragi mudha, Holige, And Natu Kodi Pulusu. They serve these items in the local Hotels and restaurants.

Nearby Attractions

• Puttaparthi Sai Baba Ashram & Temple are prominent locations attracting foreign tourists and business travelers, from all over the world.

• The Veerapuram bird sanctuary in the tiny village of Veerapuram of Sri Satya Sai District.

• Thimmamma Marrimanu-A canopy measuring over 25,000 sq m and about 1,200 prop roots,

• Thimmamma Marrimanu is a natural marvel that is touted as the largest banyan tree in the world.

Connectivity

• Lepaksi village is accessible by air (~ 60km from Sri Satya Sai Airport, Puttaparthi)

• Bengaluru Air port is at distance of 100 Km.

• Nearest by train (Puttaparthi & Benguluru railway station).

• Free Wi-Fi for tourists is provided at Jatayu Theme Park by AP Tourism Authority.

• Lepakshi has a Road length of 20Km. with A CC road of 12Kms, BT Road of 5kms. And NH 554 passes though the village with a length of 3Km.

• Lepakshi has a RTC bus stand with 7 Buses capacity which is mostly connect to Hindupur. Daily around 10 Private buses are travelling through this village.

• Along with this local 200 auto rentals are 50 car rentals are available.

• Lepakshi has 4G connectivity of Airtel, JIO, & BSNL & broadband connectivity of BSNL.

Accommodation

Accommodation facility available at Lepakshi (APTDC Harita Hotel) & local cabs are available for the tour.

Dhordo Village

Dhordo village, nestled in the heart of the Great Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, India, is a place where tradition dances with the rhythm of modern development. Recently crowned the Best Tourism Village of 2023 by the UNWTO, Dhordo has transformed from a humble border settlement into a vibrant hub of culture, art, and eco-friendly living. Dhordo is a small village located in the Kutch district of Gujarat, India, on the edge of the India-Pakistan border. It is about 86 kilometers from the city of Bhuj.

The village is home to the annual four-month Rann Utsav festival, which celebrates the unique culture and landscape of the region. The Rann of Kutch is a vast salt marsh that is transformed into a white desert during the winter months. The festival offers visitors a variety of activities, including camel rides, cultural performances, and traditional food and shopping. Dhordo village is also home to a number of other attractions, including the Dhordo Tent City, which offers a variety of accommodation options, including traditional bhungas (mud huts).

The village also has a number of restaurants, shops, and other amenities.Dhordo, located in the Rann of Kutch in Western India, has transformed from a humble marshland into a prominent destination, symbolizing the development in the state of Gujarat. Tourism has played a pivotal role in elevating this once-obscure village to international recognition. Despite facing significant environmental and geographical challenges, including the devastating Bhuj earthquake in 2001, Dhordo has achieved commendable progress.The strategic use of tourism as a tool to showcase the region's potential has yielded remarkable results. The introduction of Rann Utsav, a four-month festival that features a specially

constructed tent city in the desert landscape equipped with all necessary amenities, has been instrumental. During these four months, the village comes alive, showcasing its natural and cultural treasures to visitors. The local economy is thriving as these products gain national and international promotion, attracting consumers who are eager to engage with these resources and learn about their creation.Recognizing the significance of the region's natural and cultural assets, both the local

community and the government have taken proactive measures to conserve and sustainably utilize these limited resources. The government has introduced policies like the Heritage Tourism Policy, which encourages the preservation of old properties through public-private partnerships, and the Gujarat Tourism Policy, which offers financial incentives to investors for the construction of traditional Bhungas as accommodations.

Itinerary Dhordo

Dhordo, nestled in the heart of the Great Rann of Kutch, offers various travel options to suit your preferences and budget.Bhuj Airport (BHJ) is the closest domestic airport, approximately 85 km from Dhordo. Bhuj Railway Station is the nearest railway station to this village and Dhordo is well connected by road.

DAY 1

• Arrival at Dhordo from Bhuj
• 12:30 PM - Onwards Welcome & Check–in
• 12:30 PM to 02:30 PM - Enjoy delicious Lunch.
• 02:30 PM to 04:00 PM - Indulge yourself in the exciting range of activities.
• 04:00 PM to 05:00 PM - Hi-Tea
• 05:00 PM to 05:30 PM - Visit to The White Rann to witness the grandeur of sunset.
• 07:30 PM to 10:00 PM - Enjoy a scrumptious Dinner.
• 09:00 PM to 10:30 PM - Enjoy the Culture of Kutch along with entertaining activities at the Cultural Activity Area.

DAY 2

• 06:30 AM to 07:30 AM - Visit to the White Rann to witness the grandeur of the sunrise.
• 07:30 AM to 10:00 AM - Breakfast.
• 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM - Indulge yourself in the exciting range of activities.
• 12:30 PM to 02:30 PM - Enjoy delicious Lunch.
• 03:00 PM to 07:30 PM - Tour to Kala Dungar (Black Hill) - the highest point of Kutch. On the route visit to handicraft village "Gandhi nu Gaam".
• 07:30 PM to 10:00 PM - Enjoy a scrumptious dinner.

DAY 3

• 06:00 AM to 06:30 AM - Morning Tea
• 07:30 AM to 09:30 AM - Breakfast
• 09:30 AM - Check-out

Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has selected 35 Best Tourism Villages across the states and union territories. As part of the 12 Action Plan, the second Experience Sharing and Familiarization Visit was conducted at Reiek Village recognized as the Best Tourism Village of India 2023 under the Gold Category. The visit was conducted in collaboration with state tourism boards and the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Over 20 representatives from Tripura, Nagaland, Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh participated in the Familiarization Trip.

The Familiarization visit showcased the participants about the rural tourism model of the Reiek village. The Visit was a platform for the host as well as the participants for learn and share the knowledge and to emulate the best practices learned during the familiarization visit.

During the visit, participants were indulged in a variety of activities, such as trekking to Reiek Peak, experiencing local cultural performances, and learning traditional practices like bamboo basket weaving and apiculture. The stakeholders' meeting facilitated fruitful discussions on rural tourism practices, with locals and participants sharing insights and best practices.

Visits to Reiek Heritage Village and local attractions like bee farms and turmeric processing centers provided valuable insights into the community's livelihoods and traditions. The trip concluded with a visit to Aizawl, where participants enjoyed sightseeing and a farewell dinner.
Overall, the FAM Trip served as a platform for knowledge exchange, inspiring stakeholders to adopt and replicate successful rural tourism initiatives. It was a truly enriching experience for all involved, fostering greater understanding and appreciation for Mizoram's vibrant culture and natural beauty.

Across

• 7. Snake village of India
• 8. Portuguese Village of India
• 9. Village of Bachelors
• 10. The village where frogs are married to get rain

Down

• 1. African Village of India
• 2. Haunted village of India
• 3. Rural Olympics of India
• 4. The village where 111 trees are planted on the birth of a female child
• 5. The village without House Doors
• 6. Most modern Village of India

• 11. Komic
• 10. Manghar
• 9. Bakapur
• 8. Ha
• 7. Kodinhi
• 6. Dhorra
• 5. Nrityagram
• 4. Pranpur
• 3. Hiware
• 2. Mayong
• 1. Bhilar
• ANSWER