Art and Craft
Creating beauty is a part of life of Hodka people. They are famous for
leather craft and traditional motifs. The embroidery work by the women
of this village is especially famous. Usually its a family tradition as
every young girl imbibes this quality from her mother. On the other hand
men practice leather work. They make mojadis (footwear), hand fans,
mirrors, wall pieces and belts.
Local People
The the people of Hodka vilage are the ones who spend most of their
time in Cattle rearing. The Maldharis as they are called spend most of
their day in pastures of their cattle. Music is another way of passing
time. Bheth, Vaaj, Kaafi, Daastan, Aaradhi and Maulood are some of the
forms of singing. Sufi songs can also be heard here. Women indulge in
embroidery work, mud work, bead work, and the men in coal making, cattle
rearing, breeding labour and coal making..
The staple food of this vilage consists of bajro, buttermilk, milk
products, jaggery and ghee.Hajipir Festival is the most favourite of
all. Held in the month of March, this festival is celebrated in the
honour of a Haji - a muslim Fakir, who sacrificed his life to save the
life of a cow.
Tourist Attractions
There are a number of attractions in Hodka Village :
» The Great Rann Of Kutchchh : The Great Rann of Kutchchh
is a huge, flat expanse of pure sand spreading over 16,000 sq km,
interrupted occasionally by small uplands that are locally called bets
(islands). It is one of the largest seasonal saline wetlands in the
world, holding water that is upto a metre and a half deep during the
monsoon. But then after the months of October and November, the water
begins to dry converting it into a vast, saline desert. Despite of this
enviornmental proximity it is a favourite place for species like
Flamingo, Pelican, Great Crested Grebe, Black Stork, Brahminy Duck,
Common Pochard, Tuffed Pochard, White Eyed Pochard, Gulls, Terns, Stints
and Plovers.
»Bannis Biodivesity : Asias finest and and largest
Grassland. There are around 15 species of grassland present today. Wild
animal species including the chinkara, wolf, houbara bustard and common
cranes can be found here. There are around 300 species of birds here
including the migratory birds.
»Pachcham Island : To add more to the beauty of the Hodka
Village surroundings there is a small island called the Pachcham
Island. Surrounded by saline Rann from the three sides and Banni
from the South it has an Island like apperance.
»Dhand : The flat grounds of Banni Village has many
depressions where rainwater gets collected called the Dhand. One
such depression is called the Charri Dhand with an area of 10kms.
More than 50,000 waterfowls and 55 distinct animal species have
been recorded here, while more than 30,000 birds have been
reported during winter. Endangered species like Dalmatian Pelican
(Pelicanus crispus), Oriental Darter (Anhingia rufa), Blacknecked Stork
(Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) and Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis)
are the main vistiors and migrants of Charri Dhand.
Our Suggestions
- Gujarat is at all its splendours in the winters,
be here in the months of October to February to enjoy the best.
- Gujarat is a beautiful land, from temples to sea
beaches its a beauty to see. Some of the major tourist destinations
of Gujarat are Dwarka, Somnath, Pawagadh, Teen Darwaza, Sabarmati
Ashram, Science City in Ahmedabad. Then there are festivals like
International Kite Festival, Navratri Dances and the Rath Yatra
which take place every year. Sea beaches like beaches of Mandwa and
Somnath,
- Gujarat breakfast is the most famous of all ,
wherever you go in India. Delicacies like Dokhla, Khaman, Papdi,
Khakhra and Badis are the most savoured of all. It is a must haves
for all those who visit Gujarat. The Gujarati food has a ting of
sugar in all its delicacies, which makes the taste more so
different. One must try a dish ot two.
- Hodka, though a small village is a Heritage
Village. It has all that is required by any tourister, but still
since its a village it is advisable to bring the exquisites.
- For any clarifications we are there to resolve
them. Contact us anytime, anywhere.
