The peace found on village pathways is nowhere in the city lanes.

Chhindwara emerges as Madhya Pradesh’s new tourism hotspot

Bhopal, Aug 2025 : The tourism villages of Chhindwara district, nestled in the Satpura valleys, have now become a special attraction for tourists. Rural life, tribal culture, hill trekking, and folk dances – all can be experienced at one place here. The homestays developed over the last two years have gained recognition at both the national and international levels. In Madhya Pradesh, a Rural Tourism Project is being implemented with the objective of providing tourists with the experience of rural culture and lifestyle through homestays. Under this initiative, 100 villages of the state are being developed as tourism villages.

Migration halted by homestays

The tourism villages of Chhindwara developed by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board are drawing large numbers of domestic and international visitors. Thousands of tourists arrive here every week. Twelve villages of the district have been selected as tourism villages, out of which homestays have already been opened in seven villages – Sawarwani, Devgarh, Kajra, Gumtara, Chopna, Chimtipur, and Dhoosawani – with a total of 36 homestays available for visitors. The opening of homestays has boosted rural employment and encouraged higher education. At the same time, tribal families have stopped migrating. The youth of these villages are working as guides, presenting folk dances and devotional music, organizing bullock cart rides, and earning additional income while familiarizing tourists with rural life.

Each tourism village has its own identity

Every tourism village in Chhindwara district has its own unique features. Chopna, located on the Bhopal road amidst dense Sal forests, offers a stunning view of the Devna River; the mystical valleys of Chimtipur near Patalkot fascinate travelers; Gumtara, an offbeat destination near Pench National Park, is gaining popularity; Devgarh is home to the historic Gond fort; Kajra attracts with the scenic backwaters of the Bandhan Dam; and Dhoosawani village charms visitors with the view of Chauragarh Mahadev Temple and mango orchards.

In the homestays, tourists enjoy experiences like milking cows, helping in farming activities, and trekking on the hills. Performances by devotional music groups with dholak and manjira and tribal Karma dance troupes also captivate visitors. Today, Chhindwara is not only becoming a hub of tourism but is also emerging as a national model of sustainable rural development.