How Much You Know India?
Eleven villages you probably did not know about.
01. Shani Shignapur, Maharashtra
In the entire Village all Houses are without Doors. Even No Police Station. No Thefts.
Shani Shingnapur or Sonai is a village in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The village is known for its popular temple of Shani, the Hindu god associated with the planet (graha) Saturn. Shingnapur is also famous for the fact that no house in the village has doors, only door frames. Despite this, officially no theft was reported in the village. The temple is believed to be a "jagrut devasthan" (lit. "alive temple"), meaning that a deity still resides in the temple icon. Villagers believe that god Shani punishes anyone attempting theft.
02. Shetphal, Maharashtra
Villagers have SNAKES in every family as their members.
In Shetphal village, every household has a snake. They build a separate section for the reptiles in their homes. Reportedly, there have been no cases of snake bites in the village.
03. Hiware Bazar, Maharashtra
Richest Village in India. 60 Millionaires. No one is poor and highest GDP.
With a per capita income of just INR830 ($12.99) per month back in 1995, to INR30,000 ($469.50) today, Hiware Bazar is making strides. Inhabited by 1,250 people, out of which 60 are millionaires, this village is, indeed, a quintessential example of a developing nation. The village boasts bustling markets, immaculate roads, verdant fields, and well-built houses kitted out with mod-cons that are rare in Indian villages. In addition to that, open defecation, tobacco and alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited in the village, along with a ban on deforestation, grazing, and tube wells for irrigation. The village is thriving with each passing year, and it has attained a dignified living standard with earnings almost double that of most rural villages in India.
04. Punsari, Gujarat
Most modern Village. All Houses with CCTV & WI-FI. All street lights are Solar Powered.
Every home in the village has toilets, there are two primary schools, a primary health centre, street lights and a drainage system. And that's not all. The entire village is wifi enabled, has CCTV cameras installed at strategic points and a public address system which covers the entire population with the help of about 140 loudspeakers installed all over the village.
05. Jambur, Gujarat
All villagers look like Africans but are Indians. Nicknamed as African Village.
The Siddis of Gujarat were believed to have been brought from Africa by the Nawab of Junagadh. Since Islam was the prevalent religion, they followed their new faith and adapted to the local environment. As per local lore, once a ship full of African slaves was shipwrecked off the coast of Gujarat. When they landed ashore and saw the lions of Gir, they thought they had reached Africa! But were in for a shock…
06. Kuldhara, Rajasthan
Haunted village. No one lives there. All Houses are abandoned.
The local legend claims that while deserting the village, the Paliwals imposed a curse that no one would be able to re-occupy the village. Those who tried to re-populate the village experienced paranormal activities, and therefore, the village remains uninhabited.
Gradually, the village acquired reputation as a haunted place, and started attracting tourists. The local residents around the area do not believe in the ghost stories, but propagate them in order to attract tourists. In the early 2010s, Gaurav Tiwari of Indian Paranormal Society claimed to have observed paranormal activities at the site. The 18-member team of the Society along with 12 other people spent a night at the village. They claimed to have encountered moving shadows, haunting voices, talking spirits, and other paranormal activities.
To Be Continued...