Hodka

If mountain trails don’t really catch your fancy, how about moving to plains? Of the 36 villages developed first by the tourism ministry, Hodka near Bhuj, Kutch, is perhaps the most successful, having made its first profit last year. It’s also a striking example of participation by the local community. Located near the Rann of Kutch, Hodka has a rich crafts tradition. Its mud architecture is especially famous.”The village communities were very poor, tourism helped them survive”. Hodka’s conservative village community though didn’t want home stays. So it recreated a rural hamlet, the Sham-e-Sarhad resort, which offers both tented accommodation and mud huts and ghunghas. There’s regular plumbing and electricity too, and an amphitheatre for cultural performances. Most tourists take the two-day crafts village tour which covers eight adjoining villages like Ludia and Dhodha, famous for their embroidery, and Nirona, which is known for bell-making, Rogaan or painting on fabric and lacquer wood. Around 65per cent of Hodka’s visitors are domestic tourists. From their experience Hodka came to light as a fabulous and authentic experience. It’s like an oasis in the middle of desert. There are plenty of sightseeing options too. You can go to the salt desert in the Rann of Kutch nearby, or watch migratory birds at Chhari Dhand.

HOW to GET There

The season is from October to March. Hodka is 60km from Bhuj, the nearest airport and railhead. Accommodation with meals at Sham-e-Sarhad ranges from Rs 3,200in a ghungha to Rs 2,000 in a tent(both double occupancy).You can mail to hodka.in@gmail.com