Discover India’s top 3 countrysides

Even when we don’t want to, we all have a habit of repeating patterns. What if we take a chance to disrupt that pattern by diverting the route to India’s pristine countryside instead of beaches, and metropolitan gems? Let us explore India’s gorgeous countryside, which has so many experiences to offer, from a stroll through Asia’s cleanest hamlet to Asia’s first green village in Nagaland; and not to mention the mini-Switzerland of India. Given that India has a rich culture, prepare to blend in with the locals and enjoy it to the fullest.

Here are the top three awe-inspiring countryside in India, waiting for you to take it as it is:

Mawlynnong, Meghalaya - Asia’s cleanest village

If you’re planning a journey to India’s countryside, Mawlynnong in Meghalaya is a must-see. It is hailed as one of Asia’s cleanest villages located some two hours’ drive away from Shillong in the East Khasi Hills district.

Offering stunning beauty, a rich cultural legacy, and fantastic real local food, it is a location that everyone should visit once in a lifetime to understand how they manage to maintain the community strong and the environment clean, especially given that India is one of the most polluted countries in the world.

Mawlynnong, home to the Khasi tribe, is also famous for its distinctive living root bridge, which attracts thousands of tourists each year to witness nature’s spectacular masterpiece.

Khonoma, Nagaland - Asia’s first green village

A home to an Angami tribe, Khonoma, is a 45-minute drive from Nagaland’s capital district. Apart from being touted as Asia’s first green hamlet, the village is also noted for its terraced paddy field agriculture.

You may become lost in the beauty of its hamlet but don’t forget to see some of the traditional places, such as the boy dormitory known as Morung - a key institution for the nagas to teach social life skills to unmarried naga boys but now displays tradional ornaments and collective before civilization came in. Kohonoma has a long history that dates back to 1830 to 1880 for its fierce resistance to British reign.

Khajjar, Himachal Pradesh - Mini Switzerland

Khajjar is located in the Himachal Pradesh district of Chamba, about 15 miles from Dalhousie. The picturesque village is also known as “Mini-Switzerland” because of its breathtaking environment and lakes. The Khajjiar and Chamera lakes contribute to its splendour, and depending on your interests, the best time to visit the core of the town is between April and June, July and September, and October and March.