Bhanwat village in Mainpuri offered foreign guests from Spain, Feres Marin Sandra, Lourdes Giraldo Rodríguez, and Sintiyaa Belen Bonino, a deeply-rooted rural experience that reflects the evolving character of Uttar Pradesh’s countryside.
Their visit under the Rural Tourism Project brought them into close contact with the cultural practices, agricultural landscape, and community warmth that shape daily life in Bhanwat.
Guided by village representative Vishram Singh, the guests explored the village environment, interacted with families, and experienced traditional art forms preserved for generations.
They took part in butter-making through the traditional bilona method, learnt clay utensil work, observed singhada farming and visited the ancient Jakhder Mahadev Temple, known across the state for its self-manifested Shiva linga and its 200-year-old sacred tree. The guests stayed at Rohit Homestay, prepared under the rural tourism project, where they experienced village life, food traditions, and hospitality in a natural, unfiltered setting.
Adding further depth to Bhanwat’s importance, the village is part of the Sarus Circuit conservation landscape and has a 10-hectare wetland that attracts the state bird Sarus, and several foreign migratory birds. Bhanwat is also an important centre for singhada cultivation, with its produce reaching Delhi’s Azadpur Mandi. Tourism infrastructure is being strengthened with 10 registered homestays and owners trained through a five-day programme at the Manyawar Kanshiram Institute of Tourism Management, Lucknow.
Speaking about the rising interest in rural destinations, UP Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh said, “Visitors are responding strongly to places that offer real experiences. Mainpuri’s numbers show this clearly, increasing from 18,72,670 visitors in 2023 to 20,04,724 in 2024, and crossing 6,92,130 in the first half of 2025. We are focusing on strengthening homestays, farmstays, and local amenities so that villages across Uttar Pradesh become centres of meaningful tourism.”
He added, “Work is also underway to revive important religious places and tourist attractions of Mainpuri with over Rs 27.35 crore. This includes the upgradation and development of spiritual sites such as the revered Hanuman Temple at Jakhaua village and the Kali Mata Mandir at Padariya village, to name a few. These efforts will further strengthen the tourism potential of Mainpuri.”
The district’s ODOP craft Tarkashi continues to enhance its cultural appeal by attracting visitors interested in traditional wood inlay artistry.
Sharing her impressions, one of the Spanish visitors said, “The hospitality here touched my heart. The people, the landscape, the food, and the cultural richness made this visit truly unforgettable. Uttar Pradesh felt peaceful and warm, and we felt genuinely welcomed throughout our stay.”
With community participation, upgraded amenities, and a focused vision for rural and spiritual tourism, Uttar Pradesh is steadily emerging as a strong centre where travellers can experience culture, nature, and human warmth together.