India’s astonishing regional diversity offers travellers a fabulous range of people-to-people connections, which serve as the most exciting explorations of the country’s incredible cultural richness. Travel the length and breadth of the country to uncover this amazing illustration of ‘unity in diversity’ that reminds you of the hidden silken thread that binds this ever-changing world rooted through the continuity of its ancient traditions to contemporary times.
One of the most fun-filled experiences you will encounter is amongst the Sikh community in a village in Punjab. A sojourn amongst these hardworking, enterprising and large-hearted sons of the soil will serve up many memorable moments with these families. From toiling in the fields to unwinding from these labours at twilight, it’s quite a packed day. You can lend a hand with the women and even learn to cook a robust, nourishing meal of greens and flatbreads, washed down with tumblers of creamy lassi, a yogurt drink. If there is a fair on in the village, you’ll get to see a kushti- traditional mud wrestling at a dangal (wrestling match). Much enjoyed by the growing crowd. Else you can visit a local akhada to watch this popular village sport. You should definitely try your hand at gatka, a traditional Sikh martial skill involving some really volatile stick-fighting. Wear the double-turban, called a dumla, and try some gatka moves, while attempting to keep your turban in place! And you can’t leave rural Punjab without shaking a leg in a traditional bhangra dance or doing the gidda with the village girls!
In the desert outpost of Jodhpur, the erstwhile capital of the Marwar rulers of Rajasthan, you will find another facet of India, which is quite thrilling. An incredible experience of the”Blue City’ is a walking tour of the Old Quarter where you will uncover the legends behind why the city is painted blue. And one of these is linked to the Brahmin community which has resided here for ages. The theory is that from olden times the Brahmins, from the upper caste, painted their houses blue to differentiate them from the houses of the people from other castes.
A detour from the city leads you to the countryside to a settlement of a local tribal community. The Banjaras were prominently nomadic, but over time they have put down roots and stay close to the cities in small settlements. While the menfolk still travel long distances with the livestock, the women and children stay behind in these villages, work their small fields and take care of the household. Spend time here taking part in some of the daily routines here. Do lend a hand at the chakki (stone mill) used to grind the grain for the flatbreads the family eats with vegetables grown in their patch of land. Learn to churn butter made from the milk of the family cow. You will love their handmade jewellery and the colourful costumes.
Wherever you travel in India, you can be sure there is some new gem you will discover hidden away amongst the layers of daily routines and mundane pursuits of community life. Gently peel away those layers by immersing yourself in the moment and abandoning your preconceived notions to get to the heart of the community and what makes it tick.