Villages of Punjab, Villages of India

Villages of Punjab hold key to the state`s economical, industrial and agricultural strength.

The villages of Punjab are rich in tradition and cultural heritage. A majority of the state`s total population lives in the villages. The villagers live a life full of joy and entertainment and they celebrate each and every occasion together. Music and dance play a major part in their celebrations. The Punjabi style of celebration is famous all over the world. The villages of Punjab are also considered the lifeline for the state, as their economic, agricultural or industrial strength largely depend upon the villages.

Society in the villages of Punjab is a mixture of a variety of religious communities. People follow different religious paths and also celebrate their respective fairs and festivals. The major religious communities living in the villages of Punjab include the Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, etc. Apart from these, various tribal communities also reside in the villages of Punjab. The major tribes of Punjab include the Jats, Khatris, Aroras, Brahmans, Vaishas, Sainis, Kambohs, Sansis, etc. The Sainis mainly reside in the villages located in Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Rupar, etc. and the Kambohs reside in the villages of Patiala, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Ferozepur, etc. All these tribes are dependent on agriculture and hence, are known as agriculturist tribes. However, there are a few non-agriculturist tribes found in the villages of Punjab. These tribes include the Khatris, the Aroras and the Vaishas and they are mainly engaged in trade and commerce.

The rural people in Punjab speak in different languages. However, Punjabi is the most widely spoken language in the villages of Punjab. Apart from Punjabi, the other major languages include Hindi, Urdu, English, etc. Other dialects are also spoken by the people in Punjab. Some of the most common dialects are Awankari, Bhattiani, Rathi, Malwai, Powadhi, Pahari, Doabi, Kangri, Dogri, Jangli, Jatki, Chenavri, Bhawalpuri, Thali, Bherochi, Dhani, Ghebi, Hindko, Swaen, Chacchi, Pothohari, Punchi, etc.

The governmental authorities have established many primary and secondary schools in the villages of Punjab to provide the villagers with primary and secondary education. Most children in the villages receive primary education from these schools. The number of school going children in the villages of Punjab is quite remarkable. After completing the 10+2 education, the students can pursue higher education in the colleges and universities located in the urban areas. The overall educational scenario in the villages of Punjab is impressive. However, continuous initiatives are being taken by the governmental authorities to further improve the status of rural education.

Agriculture has always been the principal occupation of people in the villages of Punjab. Punjab is one of the most agriculturally developed regions in India and contributes hugely to the total agricultural production of India. There are two main harvests in a year in the villages, namely the Rabi or spring and the Kharif. The villagers cultivate the crops like wheat, gram, barley, oil seeds, fodder crops, potatoes, winter vegetables, etc. during the Rabi season. On the other hand, the Kharif or autumn harvest consists of the crops like rice, maize, sugarcane, cotton, pulses, gram and peas, bajra, jowar and the vegetables like chillies, onions, gourd, etc. The villagers practice two system of cropping namely the Dofasli Harsala and Ekfasli Harsala. While, the Dofasli Harsala means two harvests in a period of twelve months, the Ekfasli Harsala means a single crop in a year.

Apart from agriculture, various small-scale and medium scale industries also provide employment in the villages of Punjab. The small-scale industrial units in Punjab produce bicycle parts, sewing machines, hand tools, machine tools, auto parts, electronic items, sports goods, hosiery, knitwear, textiles, sugar, surgical and leather goods, etc. Most of these products manufactured in the villages of Punjab are at par with the highest quality standards in the world. The other industries providing employment to the villagers in Punjab include the cotton textile industry, sugar industry, dairy industry, Vanaspati ghee industry, woolen textile industry, hosiery industry, sports goods industry, engineering industries, etc.

People in the villages of Punjab are famous all over the country for their wonderful way of celebrating various fairs and festivals. All the festivals celebrated in Punjab are colourful in nature and people perform various traditional music and dance forms as part of celebrating festivals. The major festivals celebrated in the villages of Punjab include Holi, Baisakhi, Lohri, Maghi, Diwali, Gurparav, Tika, Teej, Basant Panchami, etc. People perform the popular dance forms like Bhangra, Dhamal, Gidda, Sammi, Jhumar, Jaago, Luddi, Kikli, Julli, Teeyan, etc. during the festivals. The villagers also wear their traditional dresses during the festivals. The traditional dresses for men include the turban, kurta, pyjama, loose baggy salwar, loongi or tehmat, the juttis (shoes), etc. On the other hand, the traditional attires for Punjabi women include salwar-kameez, kurta, chunni or dupatta, etc. There is a particular kind of bangle worn by both Sikh men and women in the villages of Punjab named Kada. Many villagers also use a range of ornaments including bangles, necklaces, rings and earrings, nose-pins, ornaments to pin in the hair, anklets, toe-rings, etc.

Various traditional rural sports also play a major part in celebration of festivals in the villages of Punjab. Generally, three types of sport competitions are held during rural fairs and festivals including the purely rural games like kabaddi, wrestling, weight-lifting, etc. The modern sports like hockey, football, volleyball, cycling, handball, etc. are also organised during village festivals. Apart from these, the performing sports like acrobatics, passing tractor over the rib-ease, twisting an iron-rod by placing it on Adam`s apple, cracking a big stone by placing it on the chest, etc. are held as well. The most frequently played sports in the villages of Punjab include running, jumping, archery, fencing and riding competitions, gymnastic and acrobatic displays, hockey, Tirinjen, Kikli, Gheeta Pathar, Khidu, Kokla Chhapaki, Chicho Chich Ganerian, Lukan Miti (Hide & Seek), Guli Danda, Kidi Kada or Stapoo, Ghaggar Phissi, Rasa Kashi (Tug of War), Martial Art, Kite Flying (Patang Bazi), etc.

The villages of Punjab are a favourite tourist destination for many people in India. They love to visit the villages to experience the wonderful Punjabi way of celebrating festivals. The lush green paddy fields and wonderful scenic beauty of the villages also attracts many people from all over the country.

Northeast Indian Village Festivals

The `Seven Sister` states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura constitute the northeastern part of India. People living in the villages of these states celebrate a variety of colourful festivals throughout the year. As most of the villages are predominantly populated by the tribal communities, the northeastern India is the best place to experience the rich tribal culture. The northeast Indian village festivals are famous all over the country for their uniqueness and also for their rich tradition and customs.

The northeast Indian village festivals are full of enthusiasm and exuberance and they exhibit the true spirit, tradition and lifestyle of the people of the region. Every social community in the region has its own tradition and culture and celebrates a variety of fairs and festivals round the year. The festivals are of different types or nature that include agricultural, religious and socio-cultural and they give the people ample opportunity to enjoy and socialise.

Chapchar Kut or Spring Festival is one of the most important northeast Indian village festivals and is mostly celebrated in Mizoram. The Mizo people celebrate this festival after completing the most arduous task of jungle clearing for Jhum cultivation. Men and women of all ages assemble and perform various folk dances and sing traditional songs in this occasion. They also wear their traditional dresses and headgears. The folk dances and songs are often accompanied with the instruments like drums, gongs and cymbals. Another major northeast Indian village festival is Moastu. This festival is mainly performed by Ao Naga in the villages of Nagaland and they celebrate it after the sowing. The people worship the village deity, sacrifice animals and perform folk dance and music during this festival.

The villages of Tripura in northeast India are well known for celebrating various tribal festivals throughout the year. The festivals in Tripura are counted amongst the most colourful northeast Indian village festivals and they are celebrated in a unique style. Kharchi Puja is one of the major festivals celebrated in the villages of Tripura. People worship 14 Gods during this festival and it is held every year in the month of July. The Kharchi Puja attracts people from all over India. Another major northeast Indian village festival is the Ker Puja. This is celebrated 15 days after the Kharchi Puja and this unique festival is celebrated for the welfare of the people. Songs and dances are very much essential parts of all these northeast Indian village festivals. The festivals like Poush Sankranti, Ashokashtmi, Garia, Ker Ganga, Gajan, etc. are also considered the major festivals in the villages of Tripura.

One of the major northeast Indian village festivals is the Yaoshang. This is the premier festival celebrated in the villages of Manipur and this five-day long festival starts from the full moon day in February-March. A particular type of Manipuri folk dance named Thabal Chongba is the special attraction of this festival. The Manipur New Year, Cheiraoba is also a major northeast Indian village festival. It is celebrated in the month of April and the villagers clean and decorate their houses and prepare special festive dishes on this occasion.

Wangala or the Hundred-drum Festival is the most important festival celebrated by the tribal community, Garos in the villages of Meghalaya. This festival is also counted amongst the most important northeast Indian village festivals. This harvest festival is celebrated in honour of Sun God and is held in the months of November and December. Another important northeast Indian village festival is Ka Pemblang Nongkrem Dance, popularly known as only Nongkrem Dance. This is held annually for five days by the Khasi tribes. Behdienkhlam is the premier dance festival celebrated by the Jaintia tribes in the villages of Meghalaya. This festival is celebrated once the sowing period is over.

All the major festivals celebrated throughout India are celebrated in the villages of northeast India. The festivals like Durga Puja, Diwali, Holi, Dussehra, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Muharram, Christmas, Buddha Purnima, Mahavir Jayanti, Gurupurab, etc. are celebrated with much pomp and gaiety in the northeast Indian villages. The northeast Indian village festivals are full of entertainment colour, music and cheerfulness. Most of the festivals are related to agriculture or have mythological significance and the villagers enjoy them greatly.

South Indian Village Festivals

The South Indian villages are famous all over the country for their glittering festivals and their wonderful ways of celebrating these festivals. The south Indian village festivals are of different kinds like religious, or seasonal or related to harvesting. While some of the festivals are just agrarian and pastoral in nature, others are connected with mythology. There are also a few sports festivals celebrated in the villages of south India. The south Indian villages comprise the villages located in the states of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, etc. Dussehra is considered one of the major south Indian village festivals. This festival is celebrated in all the villages of south India with much pomp and liveliness. Karaga is a unique festival celebrated in the villages of Karnataka. It is celebrated on the full moon day of April, which is the first month of Kannada calendar. The New Year celebration in Karnataka is known as Yugadi. The villagers also celebrate the other major religious festivals like Makar Sankranti, Diwali, Holi, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, etc. with great enthusiasm and cheerfulness. The birthday of Lord Ganesh, Vinayak Chaturthi is also celebrated in the villages of south India. The villages of Kerala in south India are famous for backwaters and boat races, which are celebrated with great exuberance. Vishu is one of the most important south Indian village festivals and is the New Year of the Malayali people. Another notable south Indian village festival is Onam festival. This festival is celebrated in the honour of the King Mahabali, who once ruled Kerala. Pongal festival is counted amongst the most famous and popular south Indian village festivals. This harvest festival is mainly celebrated in the villages of Tamil Nadu and it has three days duration. The three days of the festival have different names like Bhogi (first day), Pongal (second day) and Mattu Pongal (third day). The villagers wear new clothes and decorate their houses with beautiful motifs using rice flower during the Pongal festival. Pongal is actually the name of the sweet made of the first rice. Float festival is also an important south Indian village festival. The villagers embellish the icons of goddess Meenakshi and after taking her consort in a colourful procession, they float the icons in the tank of a raft decked with flowers and lamps. One of the notable south Indian village festivals is the Karthigai Deepam festival. The Masimagam festival is a major village festival celebrated in the villages of union territory, Puducherry. The Veerampattinam and the Villianur Car Festival are the two other major festivals celebrated in Puducherry. Apart from these, the other major south Indian village festivals include the Aranmula Boat Race, Natyanjali Dance Festival, Kavadi Festival, etc. The south Indian village festivals are well known for their music, classical dance and theatrical performances. The village festivals have an ethnic taste and colour of their own. The villagers perform many interesting rituals, grand processions, decorations and fireworks during the festivals that attract several tourists from all over the country. The village festivals play a major role to promote tourism in the region.

West Indian Village Festivals

The West Indian villages are counted amongst the most colourful and exotic villages all over India. The villages in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra, etc. comprise the West Indian villages. Several fairs and festivals are celebrated in these villages round the year and the West Indian village festivals are best known for the active participation of people from all strata of society.

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most notable and widely celebrated West Indian village festivals. This festival is celebrated to worship the God of wisdom and good fortune, Ganesh and it is an eleven-day long festivity participated by all in the society. The villagers perform various cultural activities during this festival including music, dance, drama, theatre, orchestra, plays, skits, etc. The other major festivals celebrated all over India like Diwali, Holi, Dussehra, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Muharrum, Christmas, Buddha Purnima, etc. are also celebrated in the West Indian villages.

Another major West Indian village festival is the Gangaur festival celebrated in the villages of Rajasthan. The women of the villages bring home the Gauri, wife of Shiva and worship her during this festival. The Mewar festival is another village festival that welcomes the spring and it is a great visual feast to the tourists, as they can enjoy the Rajasthani songs, dances, processions, devotional music and firework displays. Urs is another major festival of people from the Muslim community in the villages of west India. The tribal communities in West Indian villages celebrate the Baneshwar Fair in the month of February. The fair is dedicated to Lord Shiva and people bath the Shiva Lingam with milk and applied saffron. The main attraction of this festival is the Bhils, who sing traditional folk songs sitting around a bonfire every night. Teej is also a major village festival in West India and is celebrated in the month of August.

The Dang Darbar festival that coincides with Holi is counted amongst the most popular and famous West Indian village festivals. This festival is mainly celebrated in the villages of Gujarat and is a unique celebration of Holi by the tribes. The auspicious occasion that commemorates the worship of Divine Mother Goddess, Navaratri is another major festival in the West Indian villages. This is a nine-day long festival celebrated by everyone in the villages of Gujarat. The Garba raas and Dandiya dance are the most attractive features of this festival. The Marathi New Year, Gudhi Padava is celebrated in the West Indian villages in April. The Marathi people place a long decorated stick in front of their houses (called Gudhi) to welcome the New Year and they also worship the Gudhi.

Dedicated to the Snake God, Nagpanchami is one of the major West Indian village festivals. This festival is celebrated in the month of August and the women worship the snake during Nagpanchami. The Parsi New Year of Pateti is also celebrated widely in the villages of West India. The other West Indian village festivals include the Nariyel Purnima (worshipping the Sea God), Pola (when the farmer decorates his cattle, worships it and feeds it with goodies), Vasco Saptah, etc.

People from all classes of the village society celebrate the West Indian village festivals with much pomp and gaiety. The festivals are of different types like religious, seasonal or related to harvesting. However, whatever be the type of festival is, the people celebrate it together and take it as a great platform for social communication.

North Indian Village Festivals

Several kinds of festivals are celebrated in different regions of India throughout the year. Among the five regions of India, the north region is quite famous for celebrating a variety of colourful festivals. The villages in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand comprise the north Indian villages. Processions, prayers, new attires, dance, music, etc. are the common elements in any kind of celebration in north India. However, though the basic mood is the same, the traditions and cultures of celebrating festivals differ from state to state.

The north Indian village festivals can be classified according to their nature or style of celebration. While some of the festivals are of religious nature, there are a few that are related to change of season and harvesting. The festival of colour, Holi, is one of the major north Indian village festivals. People love to spray colours on each other during this festival. Ganesh Chaturthi is another major festival in north India and the God of wisdom and good fortune, Ganesh, is worshipped during this festival.

Another major Hindu festival in north Indian villages is Diwali. It is the festival of lights and people decorate their houses with lots of lights during this festival. The other Hindu festivals celebrated in the villages of north India include Janmashtami, Dussehra, Raksha Bandhan, etc. One of the major north Indian village festivals is Baisakhi. It is the New Year Day of the Punjabi people and they sing, dance and spend many light moments with each other during this day. Baisakhi is also considered a harvest festival as wheat ripens during this time. The villagers perform various forms of folk dance and music during the festival. Gurupurab is another major Sikh and Punjabi festival in north Indian villages. Rural people celebrate the birthdays and the martyrdom of reverend Sikh Gurus. This festival is celebrated by performing mock battles, display of swordsmanship and horse riding.

Vaitha-Vatur-Truvah is one of the major north Indian village festivals. This festival is celebrated in the villages of Punjab. People from all religious communities participate in the festival. On the other hand Urs is a Muslim festival, mostly celebrated in the villages of Jammu and Kashmir. This is a typical Kashmiri festival held annually at the shrines of Muslim saints on their death anniversaries. Another important festival in the villages of Jammu and Kashmir is Sindhu Darshan. The people worship the source of the Sindhu River in Leh during this festival. There are a few Buddhist festivals celebrated in the villages of north India like the Yuru Kabgyat. Doscmoche is another ancient festival that is still celebrated in the villages of Jammu and Kashmir every year with great pomp and fervour.

The Phulaich festival is a major north Indian village festival, mostly celebrated in the villages of Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh. This festival is unique in tradition and is celebrated as the flower festival. The Rajput people of the village sing and dance during the festival. They also worship the village deity on the third day of the festival, by bedecking him/her with all the finery along with the numerous flowers. Another two major north Indian village festivals are Teej and Sanjhi. Both these festivals are celebrated in the villages of Himachal Pradesh. While Teej is a colourful festival where the girls and married women worship Lord Shiva and Parvati, Sanjhi is a festival where the unmarried girls worship Sanjhi as the mother goddess. They make the image of Sanjhi with mud using various shapes and worship the image. Gangore is also one of the popular North Indian village festivals during which, idols of Ishar and Gangore are worshipped. This spring festival is held in honour of Gauri, the goddess of abundance.

Lathmar Holi is a famous festival celebrated in the villages of Braj in Uttar Pradesh. This is one of the most notable north Indian village festivals and it has an ancient tradition. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna from Nandgaon used to come to Barsana to play Holi with Radha along with his Gopi friends during this period. Mata Murti Ka Mela is another popular north Indian village festival held in the villages of Champavat region in Uttarakhand. This is a unique festival when the mother of Badrinath is worshipped. The Magh Mela during Sankranti in the Kumaon region is also an important festival.

The major Muslim festivals like Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Muharrum, etc. are celebrated in all the villages of north India and hence, are counted among the major north Indian village festivals. Christmas is the principal religious festival of the Christians and is celebrated in the villages of north India. The major festivals of other religions like Buddha Purnima of Buddhists, Mahavir Jayanti of Jains, etc. are also celebrated in the north Indian villages. Apart from all the above mentioned fairs and festivals, there are a few other north Indian village festivals that include Nagaur Fair, Desert Festival, Baneshwar Fair, Mewar Festival, Elephant Festival, Summer Festival, Pushkar Fair, Camel Festival, Lohri Festival, etc.

The North Indian village festivals are some of the most colourful and blissful festivals among all the villages in India. The people celebrate the festivals with lots of enthusiasm and cheerfulness.

East Indian Village Festivals

The villages in east India are rich in tradition and their cultural heritage. They are famous for celebrating a variety of vibrant festivals throughout the year. The East Indian village festivals are celebrated with much pomp and cheerfulness and are considered some of the greatest events to enjoy. The villagers take these festivals as a platform for social communication and also as a way to get relief from the stress of their daily life. The villages in the states of West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Assam can be clubbed into the term `East Indian villages`. There are many festivals celebrated in the villages of West Bengal round the year. People from all strata of the village society celebrate these festivals. The major East Indian village festivals include Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Jagaddhatri Puja, Holi, Poila Boishakh (Bengali New Year), Ratha Yatra, Raksha Bandhan, Kojagari Lakshmi Puja, Saraswati Puja, Christmas, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, etc. Apart from these, there are also a few other festivals celebrated by all villagers round the year. These festivals include Janmashtami, Bhai Phonta, Poush Parban, Shivaratri, Dolyatra, Akshay Tritiya, Buddha Purnima, Jamai Shasthi, Snanjatra, Jhulanyatra, Vishwakarma Puja, Annakut Utsav, Kartik Puja, Basanti Puja, Charak Puja, etc. The festivals of Bihar are counted amongst the most notable East Indian village festivals. People in the villages of Bihar celebrate various festivals that can be classified as religious or seasonal and some of them are related to harvesting. Chhath Puja is one of the major religious festivals celebrated in the East Indian villages. The villagers worship the setting sun during Chhath Puja. It is celebrated twice in a year, once in the Bengali month of Chaitra and the other is in Kartik. Sama-Chakeva is another important village festival in east India. The celebration of this festival is done in the winter season with the arrival of colourful birds from Himalayas that migrate towards the plains. Apart from these, the other major festivals celebrated in the villages of east India include Ramnavami, Makar-Sankranti (also known as Tila Sankranti), Bihula, Madhushravani, Basant Panchami, etc. The East Indian villages present a perfect blend of composite culture including the tribal cultures. Many tribal communities live in the villages of east India and they celebrate different types of festivals throughout the year. Bihu is one of the principal East Indian village festivals and is mainly celebrated in the villages of Assam. There are three forms of Bihu festival namely the Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu, the Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu and the Kati Bihu or Kongali Bihu. Various tribal communities celebrate the Bihu festival in different names like Baisagu, Baikhu, Ali- Ai -Ligang, Bohhaggio Bishu, etc. The Nara-siga Bihu, Pushy Par or Tushu Puja, etc. are some of the contemporaries of Magh Bihu. Apart from these, there are also a few other community festivals celebrated in the East Indian villages that include Rongker, Rajini Gabra, Harni Gabra, etc. Ratha Yatra is a major East Indian village festival mostly celebrated in the villages of Orissa and West Bengal. The festival is celebrated in order to commemorate the journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balaram and their sister, Shuvodra to their maternal home. Apart from Ratha Yatra, there are also a few tribal festivals celebrated in the villages of Orissa including the Chaita Parva and Bali Yatra. The East Indian village festivals are famous all over the country for their bright colours and lights. People from all over the country visit the East Indian village during the festivals to experience the villagers` wonderful style of celebration.

Jatipura Mukharvind

The Jatipura village (old Gopalpur) is located on the south western border of the Govardhan hill. The Vallabhite sectarians can be found in large number here. There are three Vallabhite temples in this village, which are known as haveh`s.

But, the famous shrine `Giriraj ka mukharvind` (meaning the lotus-face or the sun-face of Giriraj, alias Shri Nathji) or Bhogsila (meaning the food rock) are of prime importance of Jatipura village. The name of this shrine means `the rock to be fed by the devotees`. The term Mukharvind refers to a crack in the rock at its face.

Here, the god Baldev is offered only pakka (cooked) food but the only exception is acceptable during the Annakut and Makar Sankranti days on which both pakka and kacha (raw) foods are offered. During the Annakut festival, Gokulnathji is brought from Gokul to Jatipura village in a procession and placed in the temple. The Gokulnathji icon is a four-armed Visnu-Krsna, playing a flute. According to the Vallabhite tradition, the appearance of the `mukharvind` (means the blessed mouth of Shri Nathji) coincides with the arrival of the divine master Vallabhacharya in Jatipura village.

The rock deity is left bare for the morning puja as per the custom. At this time, the devotees worship it with pots and buckets of milk throwing on the naked rock as per the custom of that area. The milk which flows down is lapped up by the dogs eagerly. They somehow arrive here during this festival in Jatipura village. The idol is then covered wholly by the Krishna Gopals own attire.

At present days, the Jatipura Mukharvind is worshipped as a swarupa icon of Krishna Gopal, himself identified in Vallabhite belief with the Lord of the Govardhan hill. The Jatipura village is now regarded to be the most prestigious place for the celebration of the Govardhana puja or the Annakut festival. The village has become mainly a Vallabhite centre. On the festival day, the Vallabhite havelis (private houses) are kept open for all Hindus without distinction of caste. On that day, all can watch the huge display of food, including kacha (uncooked) food, normally protected from all impure looks and prasad (holy food) which is later distributed to all. It is a common superposition prevailing all over the Braj area.

Another festival of Jatipura village is the Annakut celebration. It is assumed to be as a kind of compromise between the archaic pattern of the festival, as celebrated by the rural population of Braj and the Vallabhite faith in their own swarupa idols. Actually the Vallabhites could do without the `Jatipura mukharvind` as they believed that Shri Govardhan nathji emerged from the hill long ago, through the power of the master Vallabhacharya, and was subsequently carried away to safety in Mewar. Hence all the Vallabhite maharajas used to celebrate the Annakut festival within their own havelis for the sake of their own adepts.

The Vallabhites believed in the presence of their ancient deity within the sacred hill and it is evident from the presence of three secondary swarupa icons at the time of the Annakut festival in Jatipura and also due to the presence of the old rock as a make believe effigy of Krishna-Gopal himself.

Indian Village Festivals

The Indian Village festivals according to the location of the villages are as follows -



North India Village Festivals - North India comprises the villages of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. The composite culture and the festivals of North India are closely associated with the Himalayas and sacred rivers, passing across the states. Most of the festivals celebrated in these villages are common and similar in their themes. Karva Chauth, Vasant Panchami, Diwali, Lohri, Buddha Purnima, Kheer Bhawani are the commonly celebrated all across northern India.

East India Village Festivals - East Indian states of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa comprise the villages in this region. Cuisine plays a vital role in the eastern Indian festivals. An important feature of the festivals here is that these are diverse. While the most popular festivals celebrated in the villages of West Bengal are the Durga Puja and Kali Puja, Ratha Yatra is celebrated with lot of fervour in Orissa. The typical rural festivals of eastern India are Jatra Festival, Jhoolan, Poush Mela and Vasanta Utsav. Cultural festivals are also an important part of the East Indian village festivals.

North-East India Village Festivals - The northeastern states of India are Sikkim, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Tripura and Manipur. The culture of these northeastern villages vastly depends on the migrated tribal customs and traditions. The villages of Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland celebrate some tribal festivals like Chapchar Kut, Mim Kut, Ningol Chakouba, Heikru Hitongba among many others.

South India Village Festivals - The villages of South India belong to the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Maharashtra. The South Indian culture mostly includes festivals that are related to their coconut preparations, religion and water games; their common festivals are Onam, Pongal and numerous festivals on music and dance are quite popular in south Indian villages. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are into several tribal festivals, due to their major tribal population.

Central India Village Festivals - The Central Indian villages belong to the states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Arwa Teej, Kajri Navami, Bhojali and Chherta are the common festival of the rural areas in central India. Splendor, traditional songs, dances and colourful dresses are indispensable from these Indian village festivals.

West India Village Festivals - The West Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat have some of the most colorful and cultural villages, celebrating the traditional festivals. These festivities date back to the customs of the early raja and maharaja eras. Besides celebrating the popular Hindu festivals, Jain and Buddhist festivals are also integrated in the culture of these villages.

India is a land of unique festivals, retaining its culture and historical significance; the Indian villages are no exception. The rural Indian boasts some of the oldest and exceptional traditions that have grown as distinguished festivals that not only serve entertainment, but also speaks volumes about the Indian heritage and history. The geographic divisions of India definitely divide the language, rituals and festivals. However, the spirit with which the Indian village festivals are celebrated remain, predominantly, similar.

Administration in Indian Villages

The administration in Indian villages can trace its origin back to the ancient period. The current administration structure in the Indian villages was built up by the Mauryan emperors several centuries ago. Since then, the administration in the Indian villages has undergone several significant changes. Different foreign invaders changed the Indian village administration according to their own administrative set-up from time to time. However, the basic administration structure of Indian villages was quite common in the ancient, medieval and modern period.

The Mauryan emperors introduced the Gram Sabha system for the first time in Indian villages. This system is considered the base of administration in Indian villages since then. The Gram Sabha in Mauryan period comprised a Headman and a few other members. The Sabha used to take decision about any issues related to the village and they enjoyed several powers. The decision of Gram Sabha was considered Law and the villagers were bound to obey the Sabha`s instructions.

However, though the Gram Sabha enjoyed supreme power, the Headman and members of the Sabha had to take some other matters into consideration while taking any decision. The religious customs and beliefs were one of the foremost among them. The Gram Sabha could not take any decision that would violate the laws of religion. Apart from that, the Gram Sabha also had to take decisions considering the cultural aspects of the village life. As the caste system of Hinduism was strictly maintained during that period, the Brahmans used to enjoy most of the powers in Gram Sabha. There were no representatives from lower castes in the Sabha.

The administration in Indian villages witnessed the existence of the Gram Sabha for several centuries. With the course of time, the Gram Sabhas were started to be controlled by the Jamindars or Landlords. The Headman of the Gram Sabha was also bound to report to the Jamindars in certain occasions. During the medieval period, the administration in Indian villages saw the chiefdoms in existence. The Chiefdoms comprised the Gram Sabhas of a few villages and they were under total control of the Kingdom. The Mughals ruled India for a major part of the medieval period and hence, these changes were mainly brought upon by them. This administrative system continued to be in practice in the Indian villages till the end of the Mughal period, with little occasional changes.

However, the British rulers made some significant changes in the entire administration in Indian villages. The centuries old administration policy of Gram Sabha or local governance in India was demolished by the British rulers and they started to unite all the villages under one umbrella. They actually centralised the entire administrative system of India and hence, the Gram Sabhas or Panchayats gradually started to lose their importance. The British rulers also tried to introduce local self-governments in the villages. They implemented certain general laws for all the local self-governments in the villages.

After Independence, the administration in Indian villages partially went back to the administrative structure followed during the ancient period. The Government of India decided to implement the local self-government system in all the villages of India where the villages would be governed by a Panchayat Committee. This committee was somewhat identical to the Gram Sabha. The difference is that the members in the Panchayat Committee are elected democratically through general elections and the adult villagers cast their votes to put their favourite person into the Committee. The Panchayat Committee looks after all kinds of issues related to the village and also tries to establish law and order in the village. In contemporary India, the Panchayat Committees are constitutional bodies that enjoy autonomy in most of its activities. However, they are subject to contact the State Governments in certain issues and they actually work under the supervision of the State Governments.

Administration in Indian villages is considered one of the most scientifically structured administrative systems of all time. The administration was planned in such a way that people from all strata of the village society could participate in the decision making process. The ancient concept of Gram Sabha is still in existence in the name of Panchayat in the Indian villages. However, the Panchayati Raj System is more democratic in nature compared to that of Gram Sabha system, as the common men elect the members of Gram Panchayat in modern India.

Women in Indian Villages, Indian Village Society

Women in Indian villages today are educated, employed and their position has considerably improved.

The position of women in Indian villages has seen many significant changes from the ancient period to the contemporary period. Women have always been an integral part of human civilisation and also of the Indian village society since time immortal. The women enjoyed respect and were equal to men in the ancient Indian society. They also had the chance of getting proper education and they used to take active participation in the decision making process of their family. However, though the position deteriorated during the medieval period, it has been improved a lot in the contemporary period.

The women in Indian villages enjoyed a high status in the ancient period. The works by great Indian grammarians like Patanjali and Katyayana suggest that the women were properly educated during the early Vedic period. The Rig-Vedic verses also suggest that the women used to marry at a mature age and were also independent to choose their husband. The mention of women sages like Gargi and Maitreyi in Rig Veda and Upanishads proves the high educational status of women in Indian villages. The women also had the chance of getting lessons in archery, sword fighting, gymnastics, etc. The women in Indian villages were active in doing their household works and sometimes contributed to the overall income of the family as well.

However, the status of women in Indian villages changed significantly during the medieval period. Many evil practices like Sati, child marriage, ban on widow marriages, etc. were practised extensively during this period and the Muslim conquest in India also brought the Purdah system in the Indian villages. The women were forcefully burnt with their dead husbands and made Sati, they were given in marriage at an early age of only 4-5 years and the young widows were also not allowed to remarry. However, in spite of all these obstacles, many women in the Indian villages became successful to administer villages, towns, divisions and also heralded social and religious institutions during that period. Doing household works was always the duty of women in Indian villages and they sometimes went to the fields to help their husbands in agricultural works as well.

During the British rule, the status of women in Indian villages improved a lot. Various social movements were made by the great social reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Jyotirao Phule, etc. to improve the status of women in Indian villages. The British governmental authorities also helped them a lot in uplifting the position of women. The Sati practice was abolished mainly due to the efforts made by Raja Ram Mohan Roy. The continuous efforts of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar improved the condition of the young widows in the villages and the Widow Marriage Act was implemented in 1856. The overall educational condition of the women in Indian villages was also improved a lot during the British period. Another significant improvement in the status of women in Indian villages was that they got their political rights and later played an important role in India`s independence movement.

In the contemporary period, the status of women in Indian villages is quite impressive. The women can now participate in all types of activities like education, politics, media, art and culture, service sectors, science and technology, etc. The women are also taking part in many social movements like anti-liquor movement or anti-molestation movement. The women in Indian villages have many chances of getting education and they go to the government primary schools in numbers. As a result, the women literacy rate in the villages of India has increased significantly in the recent years.

Apart from education, the women in Indian villages are getting involved in different types of occupations as well. Today`s women in Indian villages not only take care of their household works, but also do a lot of things to contribute to the family`s total income. They are engaged in the occupations like arts and crafts or handicrafts, making potteries, doing paintings, etc. and they are actively involved in animal husbandry, as well. In this way, they are contributing a lot to the overall income of the family and ensuring further well being of the family.

As a whole, it can be said that though there have been significant changes in the status of women in Indian villages since the ancient period, they are in a good state at the moment. Many women coming from the villages are establishing themselves in various fields and this is undoubtedly a bright sign for the future of India.

Education in Indian Villages, Indian Village Society

Education in Indian villages has always been one of the pillars of the society. The Indian people are well aware of the advantages of education since the ancient period and as a result, a proper educational structure was available in most of Indian villages in ancient period. The people used to send their children to schools at an early age and the children received education on different subjects.

In the ancient period, education in Indian villages was in a good state. The backbone of the education system in ancient India was the Gurukul system. The children used to receive education from their Gurus or teachers in the Gurukul. In a Gurukul, the students lived in the house of their Guru. The Gurus taught the students about the religious texts like Vedas, Upanishads and other texts and also gave lessons about archery, sword fighting, gymnastics, etc. The main objective was to make a student fully prepared to face any kind of difficulties in life. The Gurukul system continued to be in existence for a long period and was practised in the medieval period also. The introduction of Madrassa system was an important event in education in Indian villages during the medieval period.

With the inception of colonial rule in India, the Gurukul system started to lose its importance. The British rulers made huge changes in the educational scenario of the Indian villages and they introduced schools that eventually replaced the Gurukuls. They established schools at primary, secondary levels and also established colleges to provide higher education. The subjects taught in the schools were also different from those taught in the Gurukuls. Apart from Sanskrit and Vedic texts, the students started to learn other languages like English. Giving lessons about archery, sword fighting or gymnastics was also demolished with the course of time.

After the independence of India, education in Indian villages witnessed another massive change. The Government of India followed the education system set up by the British to a large extent and established new government schools in the villages. The government viewed rural education as an effective tool for bringing social change through community development. More emphasis was laid on primary education up to the age of 14 years and as a result, many new schools were established in the villages. The children in villages get their primary education from the government primary schools. They are taught various subjects including the languages, mathematics, science subjects, arts subjects, agricultural subjects, housekeeping subjects, etc. The elementary education of eight years has also been made compulsory and free for the children in the villages of India. Apart from that, the government authorities have taken many more steps to further improve the status of education in Indian villages as well.

In the contemporary period, the status of education in the Indian villages has improved a lot in spite of having many obstacles. The rural literacy rate in India is quite impressive and is increasing day by day. The rural literacy has also been taken as a primary agenda by the government and many private organisations are helping the government to serve this purpose better.

Religion in Indian Villages

Religion has always been an integral part of society in Indian villages since the ancient period. Out of these numerous religions, there are a few that are followed by people all over India and some religions are restricted to certain regions. India`s most ancient religion, Hinduism is the principal religion in almost all the villages of India and has the highest number of followers. The religion is in practice since the ancient period and has seen many changes so far. Besides Hinduism, the other major religions followed in the Indian villages include Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, etc. Apart from these major religions, there are also many tribal religions followed by the tribal communities in the villages of India.

People in the villages of India remain engaged in various types of religious practices on a regular basis. Most of the villages in India have a temple of the village deity and the villagers believe that the village deity will protect them from any kind of natural calamity or other threats. The villagers also established sacred places within their home and often use an entire room as a place of worship. They worship the gods and goddesses and follow various religious customs and domestic rituals as well.

Hinduism is the principal religion in Indian villages. It is followed by people in most of the villages in India and is predominant in the villages of Himachal Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan etc. Islam is the second most-widely practised religion in the villages of India. India is home to the world`s third highest Muslim population and a major portion of this population lives in the villages. The largest populations of Muslims live in the villages of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, etc.

The third most-widely followed religion in Indian villages is Christianity. It is followed by a large number of Indian villagers, who are mostly concentrated in parts of South India, Konkan Coast, North-East India and Central India. The villages of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in South India and Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya in North-East India have the highest populations of Christians in India. Buddhism is another major religion followed by the people in the villages of India. It was propounded by Gautama Buddha and villages in the states of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tripura, Sikkim, etc. have the highest populations of Buddhists in India.

Sikhism is a young, indigenous and monotheistic religious philosophy followed by many people in the villages of India. The philosophy was propounded by Guru Nanak. The religion has its highest populations living in the villages of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, etc. It is followed by Indian villagers in the other parts of the country as well. Apart from Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Sikhism, etc. there are also a few other religions in Indian villages. These include Jainism, Zoroastrian religion, etc. There are also a few tribal religions in Indian villages that are followed mainly by the tribal communities. Almost all the tribal communities living in India have their own religious philosophies; however, the Santhal religion is the most widely followed amongst them. The Santhal religion is mostly followed by the tribal communities living in the villages of Orissa, Bihar and West Bengal.

Besides the above mentioned religions in Indian villages, the people also sometimes inhabit a world full of divine and semi-divine beings. They believe in tree spirits (Yakshas), ghosts (Bhootas) and also in puranic, local, personal or ancestral gods. Snake veneration is also an important part of religious beliefs in Indian villages. As a whole, it can be said that religions in Indian villages are a great mix of diverse beliefs and philosophies. The Indian villagers live together without much trouble, in spite of having such a huge diversity in their religious beliefs. The Indian villages are really the biggest examples of "unity in diversity".

Indian Village Society, Indian Villages

Indian Village Society is the greatest example of the phrase "unity in diversity".

The Indian village societies are combined of people following different religious paths and traditions. The formation of the Indian village society largely varies from one region to another. Though there is some similarity in the religious practices and cultural activities in most Indian village societies, their education system or the position of women differ from each other. There are certain other things that can be found in almost every village society in India. People in most of the villages share various common utilities like ponds, grazing grounds, temples and shrines, cremation grounds, schools, sitting spaces under large shade trees, wells, wastelands, etc.

The religious customs and practices in Indian village society vary in different parts of the country, depending upon their cultures and lifestyles. Most of the village societies in India have a Gram Devata (village deity) and consider this deity as the protector of the village. The villagers worship the deity regularly for the well being and prosperity of the village. The villagers usually inhabit a world full of divine and semi-divine beings like the tree spirits (Yakshas), ghosts (Bhootas), Puranic, local, personal and ancestral gods. All of these sprits and gods co-exist in an Indian village society.

Fairs and festivals have always been an integral part of Indian village society. The villagers celebrate different types of festivals like religious, regional, seasonal, or sports festivals together. The style of celebrating festivals also differs from one region to another. Among the religious festivals, the Hindu festivals like Holi, Diwali, Durga Puja, Navaratri, Rakhi Purnima, Baisakhi, Dola Yatra, Mahashivratri, etc. are celebrated in most villages in India. The other religious festivals include the Muslim festivals like Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Muharrum; the Buddhist festivals like Buddha Purnima; the Christian festivals like Christmas and the festivals of other religions like Mahavir Jayanti, Gurupurbas, etc. The villagers share lots of light moments with each other during these festivals and perform different forms of folk music and dance. The festivals act as a great platform for social communication in the Indian village society.

Besides religious festivals, there are a few other types of festivals celebrated by people in the Indian village society. These festivals include Poush Mela, Vasanta Utsav, the tribal festivals like Chapchar Kut, Mim Kut, Ningol Chakouba, Heikru Hitongba, etc. The people in an Indian village society also come together in other occasions like marriage ceremonies, or funerals, etc. Marriage ceremonies are considered as major celebrating occasions in Indian villages. The villagers enjoy the marriage party together. They also come together in grief during funerals and mourn for the dead.

The educational scenario in the Indian village society has evolved from the ancient times to the modern times. While, only the members of higher castes used to get education in the ancient period, the people from all castes have a chance to get educated in the contemporary period. The Government of India and the State Governments have established numerous schools and colleges in the Indian villages, in the recent years. As a result, the rural literacy rate in most parts of India has reached an impressive level. Apart from the men, the women in Indian village society are also getting much exposure to modern education, now-a-days.

The position of women in the Indian village society has also changed with time. The women were treated with great respect and honour in the ancient period in Indian villages. They were provided with the opportunity of getting proper education and they used to take active part in the decision making process of their families as well. The scenario changed during the medieval period when the women in Indian village society were restricted within the premises of their houses. There was almost no scope for the women to get education. However, the position of women has changed a lot in the contemporary period. They are now getting enough exposure to modern education and are also getting involved in different kinds of occupation.

An Indian village society represents the real essence of India, "unity in diversity". Most of the Indian villages are characterised by a multiplicity of economic, caste, kinship, occupational and religious groups. The rich diversity in cultural heritage of the village societies in different parts of India attracts people from all over the world. They visit the Indian village society to get the feel of real India and also to experience the cultural richness of India.

Village life in East India

The eastern region is one of the richest regions in India as far as cultural activities are concerned. This region comprises the states like West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Jharkhand, etc. and one can find the region`s cultural diversity in the villages. Various forms of folk music and dance are also an integral part of village life in east India. While agriculture is the principal occupation in most of the villages in east India and people are also engaged in other traditional and non-traditional occupations as well.

Cuisine plays an important role in village life in east India. The East Indian villagers are fond of various kinds of food items and some of these food items have earned popularity all over the country as well. People in the villages of east India love to eat both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items. However, fish, rice and sweets are the three most popular food items in the villages of east India. These items are most popular in the villages of West Bengal and Orissa and in Bihar and Jharkhand; the people love to eat various seasonal vegetables that grow in abundance there. However, a great mix of seeds named `Paanch Phoran,` is used for tempering foods frequently in all the villages of West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar and Jharkhand. The mix consists of aniseed, mustard, fenugreek seed, cumin seed and black cumin seed. The most popular food items that have become inseparable part of village life in east India include Machcher Jhol (fish curry), Doi Machch (Sea Food), Poda Pitha, Chhena Jilabi, Bihari Litti, Thekua (Dessert), Kala-Chana Ghoomni, Sattu, etc. The rich histories and geographic heterogeneity of the villages in east India has made the cuisine of this region a unique one.

People in the villages of east India wear different types of dresses in their daily life. One of the most important aspects of village life in east India, dresses reflects the cultural variety and richness of the region. The males in the villages usually wear lungi, dhoti, kurta, shirt, etc. in their daily life. They wear the traditional dresses like Sherwani and the modern western outfits during the festivals. On the other hand, the women mostly wear sari made of cotton in their daily life. However, they wear special types of sarees like Baluchari, Jamdani, Taant, Bomkai, Sambalpuri, etc. during the festive occasions.

The principal occupation in the villages of east India is agriculture. Agriculture has always played a major role in the village life of east India, as a majority of the population depends on agriculture to earn their livelihoods. The villagers remain engaged in cultivating a variety of crops throughout the year. The major crops include rice, wheat, jute, oil seeds, pulses, coconut, tea, cotton, mustard, maize, potato, soybean, etc. Apart from agriculture, the villagers are also engaged in the other occupations like cottage industry, brick industry, various medium, small and large scale industries, etc. The villagers are engaged in the traditional occupations like barberry, shop keeping, priest, etc. Tourism is also one of the major sources of income for people living in the villages of east India.

The educational scenario in the villages is quite impressive and the East Indian states have some of the highest rural literacy rates in the country. There are many governmental schools established in most of the villages in east India to provide primary and secondary education to the young children. The children can also get education through the non-governmental and private schools.

The rich cultural diversity is one of the most notable features of village life in east India. The villages in east India have a rich tradition and the people celebrate diverse fairs and festivals throughout the year. Though different states have different types of festivals, there are a few common ones that are celebrated in all villages of east India. These festivals include Diwali, Holi, Ratha Yatra, etc. The major festivals celebrated in the villages of West Bengal include Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Poush Mela, Vasanta Utsav, Jhoolan, etc. On the other hand, people in the villages of Orissa celebrate the festivals like Puri Beach Festival, Konark Dance Festival, Chandan Yatra, etc. with much pomp and gaiety. The festivals have always been an integral part of village life in east India and almost all of them are of colourful nature.

Village life in east India is one of the most colourful and culturally rich village lives among all villages in India. The great cultural diversity, the wonderful cuisine, the bright costumes and the agricultural development in the villages of east India are remarkable. Especially, the wonderfully celebrated festivals in the villages of east India attract several tourists from all over the country.

Village Life in Northeast India

Village life in northeast India is most famous for the rich tribal culture and traditions. The villages located in the northeast region of India comprise several tribal communities who have their own tradition, customs and cultural activities. Villages in the `Seven Sister` states like Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, etc. are counted amongst the villages of northeast India. Nestled at the foothills of Himalyas the villages of Northeast India are picturesque. Natural beauty, hospitable inhabitants, pleasant climate and tribal culture are some of the primary features of the village life in Northeast India.

Food has always been a major part of village life in northeast India. The cuisine of Indian northeastern villages is quite different from that of other parts in India and there is a similarity in food culture of all the seven states. Fish is one of the most popular food items in the villages of northeast India and rice is the staple food in this region. The most popular food items in the villages of northeast India include Panch Phoron Tarkaari, Misa Mach Poora (Grilled shrimps), Poora Mach, Assam Laksa Stock, Dal and Eggs, Koat Pitha (Banana pitha), Bamboo Shoot Fry, Poora Haah (Roasted duck), Fish Fried Rice, Thukpa /Gya-Thuk (Noodle soup), etc.

The costumes worn by people in the villages of northeast India are one of the most attractive and distinctive ones among all the villages of India. Most of the attractive costumes are part of the rich tribal culture. The traditional dress of women in the northeast Indian villages is basically a length of cloth that is worn around the waist in much the same way as a lungi or a towel-wrap and turn and worn with a top or shirt. This is known by different names in different states. In Sikkim, the women of the tribal community of Lepchas wear a two piece dress. The women of another tribal community, Bhutias wear a silken `Honju` that is a full sleeve blouse and a loose gown type garment. The tribal women are also very fond of heavy jewelry made of pure gold. The traditional dress of Assamese women is called Mekhala Chaddar. It is actually a saree in two parts or a half saree like the ones in South India. The Mekhala Chaddars are mostly woven in Muga and Pat Silk. The men in villages of Assam usually wear dhotis made of silk and they also wear a chalang, a scarf. Another traditional shirt called the `sula` is also worn by Assamese men.

The women in the villages of Manipur wear a skirt named `Phanek`. Though most of the Phaneks are made of cotton, the Manipuri women also wear silk Phaneks in special occasions. On the other hand, the skirt worn by the Mizo women is called Puan. It is also known as Dakmanda in Meghalaya. The women in the villages of Meghalaya also wear another dress named Jyensyem that consists of two ankle length pieces of cloth gathered at the shoulders. The upper part of the body is clad in a blouse. The males in the northeast Indian villages mostly wear the traditional dhoti and panjabi. The dhoti is worn around the lower part of the body and the panjabi is worn to cover the upper part.

The educational aspect of village life in northeast India is quite impressive. The villagers get educated in both their traditional education and they learn the modern education as well. There are several government primary schools that have been established in the villages of northeast India to provide primary education. Apart from these, there are also many private organisations that work for providing basic education to the villagers in northeast India.

Agriculture is the principal occupation for most of the villagers in northeast India and hence, is the most important aspect of village life in northeast India. The villagers are expert in cultivating a variety of agricultural and horticultural crops. They cultivate the crops round the year. The villages in different states are famous for producing different types of crops. The major crops cultivated in the villages of Meghalaya include rice, maize; the fruits like orange, lemon, pineapple, guava, litchi, banana, jack fruit and the temperate fruits like plum, pear, peach, etc. a few crash crops are also cultivated in the villages of Meghalaya that include potato, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, areca nut, tezpatta, betel vine, short-staple cotton, jute, mesta, mustard and rapseed, etc. On the other hand, the villages of Sikkim are famous for producing the traditional crops like maize, millet, paddy, buckwheat, barley, mustard, potato, ginger, mandarin orange, large cardamom, The horticultural crops like large cardamom, ginger, turmeric, oranges, apple, pear, off-season vegetables, the flowers like gladiolus, orchids, lilies, gerbera, carnation, anthurium, etc. are also grown in the villages of Sikkim.

Fairs and festivals are one of the major parts of village life in northeast India. The villagers celebrate a variety of fairs and festivals throughout the year and the festivals are full of colour and lights. The people also perform various forms of folk music and dance during the festivals. The most popular tribal fairs and festivals celebrated in the villages of northeast India include Chapchar Kut, Mim Kut, Ningol Chakouba, Heikru Hitongba, etc.

Village life in northeast India is one of the most unique and different village lives among all the states in India. The rich tribal culture and customs in the northeast Indian villages are rich all over the country. The simplicity of the villagers is probably the most interesting feature of village in northeast India. The people live in unison and enjoy all kinds of festivals together.

Village Life in South India

The villages in south India are endowed with natural beauty and are famous for their rich tradition and cultural heritage. Most of the villages are located along with the coastal line and the village life in south India revolves around the sea. Fishing plays a major role in the village economy in south India, as many people earn their livelihoods from fishing. Agriculture is also one of the major occupations of people in the villages of south India. The people celebrate various types of religious, cultural or seasonal festivals together with much pomp and cheerfulness.

Cuisine is a major part of village life in south India. People in villages of different states eat different types of food items. The people eat both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items; however, vegetarian items are preferred more by most of the villagers. The most famous food items available in the villages of south India include Dosa, Idli, Bisi bele bath, Ragi rotti, Akki rotti, Anna Saaru, Vangi Bath, Khara Bath, Kesari Bath, Davanagere Benne Dosa, Ragi mudde, Avare Kal Saaru and Uppittu, etc. Apart from these, the other food items like Kodi iguru (chicken stew), Kodi pulusu (chicken gravy), Chepa pulusu (fish stew), etc. are also famous among the villagers in south India.

The traditional costumes worn by the people in the villages of south India are famous for their wonderful design and colourfulness. The common male attires in the villages are dhoti, kurta, lungi, etc. On the other hand, the women`s wear differs from one state to another in south India. Saree is the common wear for women from all cultures and communities in south India. Apart from saree, the other major traditional wears for women include salwar kameez. The Muslim women mostly wear burkha or hijab. In the villages of Kerala, Mundum neriyathum is the traditional clothing of women. Pavada is the most popular traditional women`s wear in the villages of Tamil Nadu. However, the style of wearing the dresses differs from one state to the other in south India.

Agriculture is one of the major occupations in the villages of south India. Agriculture has always been an integral part of the village life in south India and almost half the rural population in south India depends on agriculture to earn their livelihoods. Another major occupation in villages of south India is fishing. As most of the villages are located along with the coast line, many people earn their livelihoods from fishing. Fishing in south India also attracts many tourists from all over the country. Apart from agriculture and fishing, the villagers in south India are also engaged in other occupations like tourism, various small, medium or large scale industries, cottage industry, etc.

Education has always been one of the most important aspects of village life in south India. The rural literacy rate in the south Indian states is counted amongst the highest in India. A majority of the rural population in south India are well educated. Children get primary education from the government primary schools in their villages and then opt for higher education. Apart from the government primary schools, there are also many private schools that provide education to the children in villages of south India.

One of the most interesting and important feature of village life in south India is the way people celebrate different fairs and festivals. Most of the festivals celebrated in the villages are colourful and vibrant in nature. The festivals like Aaranmula Boat Race, Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Onam, Karthigai Deepam, Thrissur Pooram, Pongal Festival, etc. are an inseparable part of village life in south India.

Village life in south India represents one of the most colourful and diverse social structures among all states in India. The villagers are keen on preserving their tradition and cultural heritage. The wonderful natural beauty and cultural diversity in the south Indian villages attracts several tourists from different parts of the country every year.

Village Life in West India

The states of Goa, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra comprise the western region of India. The villages in these states are famous for their richness in tradition, culture, agriculture and other aspects. The people mainly depend on agriculture for earning their livelihoods. However, they are engaged in other traditional and non-traditional occupations as well. The villagers in west India are fond of music and dance and they perform various forms of folk dance and music during the festivals.

Food is one of the most important aspects of village life in west India. The women like to experiment with their cuisine and try to cook new types of food items. They use a variety of spice to make both vegetarian and non-vegetarian types of food items. The most famous food items found in the villages of west India include Bhel Puris of Maharashtra, Dhoklas of Gujarat, Bati Choorma of Rajasthan and Vindaloo (Pork) of Goa. Apart from these, the other famous food items include Shrikhand, Gujarati Kadhi, Batata Vada (Potato Dumplings), Besan ka Cheela, Khandvi, Goan Fish Curry (Hot and sour), Sorpotel, Dahi Keema Samosa, Papad ki Sabzi, Makki Doodhi Ra Moothiya, Ghevar, Mawa Misri, Macchhili Jaisamandi, Nawabi Biryani, etc. The West Indian people also like to eat a variety of sea food including the fish items.

The traditional costumes worn by the people in the villages of west India are unique in their colour, design and wearing style. The men in the villages of Rajasthan wear a turban and angarakha - a traditional dress worn above the waist. Sometimes, they wear dhotis or pyjamas, along with the angarakha. The men mostly wear white and silk dhotis with zari borders. On the other hand, the women in the villages of Rajasthan usually wear long skirts known as ghagra and a choli (blouse). They also sometimes use a dupatta with the ghagra-choli. In Maharashtra, men generally wear dhoti and shirt, along with a head dress named `pheta`. The women in the villages of Maharashtra wear Sarees with a short sleeved choli (blouse). The men wear in the villages of Gujarat is quite different from those of other parts of west India. The Gujarati men wear a common dress named `chorno` for the lower part of the body. Another dress named `kediyu` or angarakhu is worn for the upper part of the body. They also wear a `phento` or turban. The Gujarati women in villages usually wear a colourful petticoat named `chaniyo`, which is often embroidered with abhala, or round glass pieces. They wear a choli for the upper part of the body. They also use the `odhni`, along with chaniyo and choli.

Agriculture is the main occupation for most of the villagers in west India and hence, is the backbone of village life in west India. The villagers are engaged in cultivations of various types of crops throughout the year and the villages in west India are some of the highest producers of food grains in India. The major crops cultivated in the villages of west India include groundnut, cotton, tobacco, isabgul, cumin, sugarcane, jawar, bajra, rice, wheat, pulses, tur, gram, banana, etc. Apart from these, the villagers in west India also produce honey, wax and bamboo; the medicinal herbs and fruits like Jamun and guava; teak, Khair, sadad, hadariyo, manual bamboos, etc. Apart from agriculture, the rural people in west India are also engaged in dairy farming, textiles, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, petroleum, cement production, etc.

One of the most important parts of village life in west India is education. The people in the villages are well aware about the advantages and positive aspects of education and hence, they send their children to the schools. The children receive primary education from the government primary schools established in the villages. There are many secondary schools established in many villages in west India, where students can receive secondary education. The rural literacy rate in west India is quite impressive and efforts are being taken to further improve this scenario.

People in the villages of west India celebrate a variety of fairs and festivals throughout the year. The fairs and festivals have always been an integral part of village life in west India. All the major festivals like Diwali, Holi, Dussehra, etc. are celebrated with much joy and cheerfulness in the villages of west India. Most of the traditional festivals in west India date back to the early Raja and Maharaja eras and people celebrate festivals of every religion like Hindu, Muslim, Jain, Buddhist, etc. together. Some of the popular festivals celebrated in the villages of west India include the Ganesh Chaturthi, Christmas, Gangaur festival, the Mewar festival, Urs, Baneshwar Fair, Teej, Kite festival, Dang Darbar, Janmashtami, Navaratri, Diwali, Gudhi Padava (the Marathi New Year), Nagpanchami, the Parsi New Year of Pateti, the Narali Purnima, Raksha Bandhan day, etc. The other major festivals are Pola (when the farmer decorates his cattle, worships it and feeds them with goodies), the Vasco Saptah, (a week long festivity dedicated to Lord Damaodar), Chovoth or the Ganesh Puja, Touxeachem Fest (in Konkani) literally translates as the Cucumber Feast, etc.

The village life in west India is a culturally rich. The people like to eat different types of food items, wear a variety of costumes and also celebrate various colourful festivals. They also perform various forms of folk music and dance during the festivals. Their extraordinary style of celebrating festivals attracts many tourists from all over the country every year.

Village Life in North India

Village life in north India is a wonderful combination of rich tradition, culture and religious diversity. The states like Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, etc. are located in north India and the village life in these states have certain similarities. Most people in these villages are dependent on agriculture for earning their livelihoods and they also have similarities in their religious practices. The village life in north India comprises the villagers` educational, occupational, cultural and traditional aspects.

The village life in north India is full of entertainment and cheerfulness. The houses in the villages are located adjacent to each other and the people help each other in different occasions. The males in the villages usually wear dhoti, shirts, pyjama, kurta, etc. and the dresses for women in the villages include saree, salwar kameez, dupatta, lehenga choli, ghagra choli, etc. The villagers generally use thick, moderately spicy and creamy gravies in their food items. The people also like to take a variety of lentils, vegetables, roti, etc. in their meals.

The educational aspect of village life in north India is quite impressive. The literacy rate in most of the villages of north India is counted amongst the highest ones in India. The young children in the villages receive their primary education from the government primary schools established in their villages. There are also many private schools and Pathshalas in the villages that provide education to the young children of the villages. Education is one of the major aspects of village life in north India and the villagers are aware of the advantages of education.

Religion is an integral part of village life in north India. The Hindus are the principal religious community in the villages of north India and apart from them, the other major religious communities include the Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, etc. The villagers celebrate various religious festivals throughout the year and the major festivals include Vasant Panchami, Diwali, Holi, Lohri, Buddha Purnima, Kheer Bhawani, Karva Chauth, etc. The other religious festivals include Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Muharrum, Shab-e-barat, Mahavir Jayanti, Hanuman Jayanti, Kullu Dussehra, Hornbill Festival, etc.

Agriculture is the principal occupation for most of the villagers in north India. The villagers usually cultivate their lands on their own; however, they sometimes take help of others to do the cultivation better. Apart from agriculture, the other occupations that are part of village life in north India include arts and crafts, handicrafts, tourism, different small, medium or large scale industries, etc. There are many people in the villages of north India, who are engaged with their traditional occupations. These men include the barbers, the shopkeepers, the scavengers, the cleaners, the potters, etc. They earn their livelihoods from these occupations and also serve people from the other parts of the village society. Tourism is a major occupation for the people living in the villages of Jammu and Kashmir. The main reason is the extraordinary natural beauty in the villages. Many villagers in Jammu and Kashmir work as tourist guides or run their own businesses in various popular tourist spots or provide accommodation facilities to the tourists.