Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s heritage crafts village Raghurajpur has been awarded as the ‘Best Tourism Village of India 2023’ by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
This has been informed by the Department of Tourism, Govt of Odisha.
“A proud moment for Odisha! Raghurajpur has been awarded as the ‘Best Tourism Village of India 2023’ in the Best Tourism Village Competition organized under the aegis of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India”, the Department said.
The Ministry of Tourism has given the Best Rural Tourism Village Awards to Rural Tourism Villages for promotion and preservation of their cultural heritage and sustainable development through tourism.
As many as 35 villages including Raghurajpur have been selected for the prestigious award.
Located approximately 12 KM from Puri, Raghurajpur is best known for its Pattachitra art. The art form is used to decorate none other the Lord of the Universe- Lord Jagannath and his siblings. The attachment with the holy trinity elevated the art form helped it gain prominence.
This heritage crafts village is a quaint village where 120 homes are neatly lined up facing each other in two rows. Every house has an artist engaged in the trade making it perhaps the only place in India where one can find such a large congregation of artists.