A typical rural village in Gujarat, Hodka, reflecting the inherent rustic nature of the Kachchh region welcomes visitors across the globe to experience its rich inherited assets of traditional embroidery works, appliqué, leather craft, mud mirror decoration and folk music.
Located in the northwest of Kachchh district, Hodka village is inhabited by the Halepotra people, who are Muslims and the Meghwals, who are Hindus by religion. The inhabitants of Halepotra are traditionally engaged in cattle breeding, while the Meghwals who live in the Banni region, are masters of leather crafts and colourful embroidery work. The embroidery skills are handed down to daughters from their mothers. Mutwa, catab, sebha-kudi, chopad, the geometrical kambhira, pakko, mokka, neran, chitki (appliqué) are some of the well-known embroidered works of the region. Meghwal men’s leather handiworks include embroidered footwear, hand fans, mirror frames, wall pieces, belts, etc.
The architectural style of the Hodka people is closely associated with the use of mud. The people of the Banni region are more skilled in making beautiful Bhungas using mud. Bhungas are small huts, which are engineering wonders in the world of traditional architecture. Bhungas are capable of being protective from heavy winds and earthquakes. The thick walls made of mud keep the inside of the huts cool during the hot Kachchhi summers and warm in the cold desert winters. The women used to colour the interiors of their huts with earth colours and decorate them with mud-mirror work designs.
The dressing style of Hodka people usually can represent the wearer’s age, occupation, caste and marital status. Hindu men wear lungi (sarong), kamij (loose pant), pagdi (turban) and rumal (scarf), usually in white shades, while the Muslims prefer colourful costumes. The women wear an embroidered kanjri (blouse), ghagra (skirt) and odhani (scarf) in colourful shades.
The village has a rural resort known by the name ‘Shaam-e-Sarhad’, meaning ‘Sunset over the Border’, located one hour’s drive from Bhuj, the district headquarters. Shaam-e-Sarhad offers clean and simple accommodations showcasing the local style and the craft of the village. Tourists visiting Hodka can experience the charm of staying in a round bhunga or tent, sit out on a starry night by a bonfire, listen to Kachchhi folk music rendered in reedy voices… Homestays in Hodka village also offer comfortable accommodation.
One can wander around the villages of Hodka and the surrounding Banni grasslands, watch village artisans turn out beautiful embroidery and leatherwork, participate in the local fairs and festivals and enjoy hearty meals of ‘major no roti’ with ‘makhana’ and ‘good’, followed by ‘khichdi-kadhi’.
Nearby attractions include the archaeological site of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization at Dholavir, trekking and camping trips to the Rann of Kschchh, the Chaari Dhand region famous for beautiful rain and the marvellous fauna and flora.
Bhuj (65 km) is connected only to Mumbai. The rail link is at Bhuj while there are several rail options to Ahmedabad (400 km from Bhuj), with daily trains and overnight buses from there.
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