Madhya Pradesh is one of the states which has taken up rural tourism on a war footing, and the spin-offs are pleasantly surprising and potentially transformational.

To give a push to the rural economy, the Ministry of Tourism announced the competition to choose the best village in the tourism category, based on a set of parameters. The last date for online application submission is April 15. Details here.

In Kalpathy, in Palakkad district, there is history to be had at every sit-out that runs in the front of the traditional homes built around the many temples.

The eco-sensitive hill station in Maharashtra has no pucca roads and vehicles are a strict no-no. The only sound is that of birds in the daytime, and crickets at night. Or, perhaps the pitter-patter of raindrops on the window panes and on the red-tiled roofs of cottages. Matheran is a perfect getaway from the high-on-steroid urban lifestyles.

A Ger is a dwelling of the nomads of Mongolia, which has retained its design for centuries. The Ger is designed to be dismantled and rebuilt in just a few hours. The basic structure is of latticed woodwork sections, and it always faces south.

Two young men who surrendered to the Chhattisgarh government after working at Maoist camps, find new life at a Special Task Force camp that has been converted into a resort by the tourism department. Next time you visit Bastar, try and stay at this resort located just five kilometres away from the picturesque Chitrakote waterfalls.

The Mahabodhi Temple is the foremost among the four major pilgrimage sites for Buddhists. The other three are Lumbini, his birthplace; Sarnath, where he delivered his first sermon; and Kushinagar, where he attained Maha Parinirvana.