Welcome to Naujheel - A Time Traveler’s Favourite!
Welcome to Naujheel - A Time Traveler’s Favourite!
Remember the good old days, when we relied on simple joys, lived in harmony with nature, and didn’t worry about getting ourselves dirty while playing in the field? Who wouldn’t want to reminisce these cherished memories, before the ever-so-important modern technology engulfed us?
In the heart of Uttar Pradesh lies a small Indian village, Naujheel, where time hasn’t moved forward at the pace of big cities. Instead, it has lingered, preserving the charm of rural India. Visiting a village like this truly feels like traveling back in time—stepping into a live museum of traditions and simplicity.
In this Indian village, the buffaloes roam freely, villagers are still enjoying the handpumps to draw water, and food is cooked over cow dung fires. Age-old customs are still defining daily life here, and it feels like it the India from a hundred years ago. Well, Sheldon Cooper (from the famous sitcom ‘Big Bang Theory’) never got to witness his ultimate desire of time travel, but you can, by simply setting your foot in this small village (no time-machine required ;)).
Let me help you with the top 10 reasons why visiting Naujheel, feels like time travelling to the past.
1. Buffaloes and Cattles - The Real Kings of Indian Village
Comedian Fluffy (Gabriel Iglesias) once mentioned in one of his shows that “Cows in India, do have an attitude and no one honks at the cows…..they wait for the cows to finish crossing the road”. Well, it’s true! Buffaloes and cows in Naujheel are given the utmost respect and it seems like they own the village! And why not, villagers tend to cattle, collect fresh milk and use them for farming, just like they did centuries ago.
Having said that, buffaloes are more than just livestock here, they are part of the family. You would love to see them peacefully lounging around lazily, completely unbothered by the pace of life around, – because let’s face it, nothing in Naujheel is rushed.
2. A Childhood Without Screens
Allow me to be ‘Patrick Jane’ (from Mentalist) for uno-momento and make a daring prediction…..’You are reading this blog on a digital screen’… How did I do?
Ahh..am kidding.
But the same prediction, is simply wrong for the children here in Naujheel?
The kids here aren’t glued to their screens, and are full of life, playing marbles on the street, running around barefoot, with wide smiles on their faces. Childhood still holds the innocence it did decades ago, and the energy of these kids surely challenges the technology that’s taking over us.
They are so bubbly with energy and excitement, that they become your unofficial tour guide!
Want to know how a hand pump works? They’ll demonstrate with excitement. Curious about their favorite snack? They’ll take you straight to the peanut-roasting corner. Their joy is contagious, making you feel like a part of this Indian village rather than just a visitor.
3. Hand Pump - A Lifeline from the Past
Washing hands by simply turning on a tap is a luxury, isn’t it? Well, you may not concur, but you would be surprised to note that it is, in fact, a luxury to get water to your homes. In Naujheel, fetching water is an experience in itself- with the source being the village ‘handpump’. The village hand pump is not just a water source—it’s a gathering spot, a place where stories are exchanged, and daily life unfolds.
You’ll see women and children lining up in front of the handpump, filling up their pots, and balancing gracefully on their heads as they walk home.
4. The Swastik Symbol – No, Not That One!
Occam’s razor states that ‘the simplest explanation is usually the correct one’. We are here to prove this wrong!
We know what you’re thinking after seeing the symbol above, and no, we don’t raise our straightened right arm to perform a salute to a ‘certain’ someone. Allow us to clarify. The Swastik symbol has been part of the sacred Hindu culture for over 5000 years ago, representing prosperity, good fortune, and well-being. And yes, we do hate how Nazis stole this symbol and now it’s recognized with them all over the world, making everyone remember the cruel 20th-century history again & again.
In a village like Naujheel, you’ll find these symbols painted nearly on every door. It’s a testament to how the village is still untouched by external influences, holding strong onto ancient traditions.
5. Cow Dung – The Ancient Renewable Energy Source
Ever tried the ancient way of cooking over a fire; well, you might have thought of wooden logs just now, but how about cow dung cakes? When it comes to fuel resources, Indian villagers are still relying on the stuff that is readily accessible to them. They collect cow dung, shape them into discs and majestically fling them on the walls, leaving them out to dry before being used as burning fuel.
Not only this, cow dung is smeared onto the walls of homes, to insulate against heat and insects.
Even I, for once, gave an animated reaction to this, but a little dig of the internet revealed that it’s true! I loved how the villagers were making the most of what they got near them, and felt a little sad, about how unnecessarily I long for things that I might not even need sometimes.
6. Ghunghat – The Veil of Time and Tradition
Wasn’t it funny, how the brides in ‘Laapataa Ladies’ (India’s official entry to Academy Awards 2025), got exchanged and nobody got to know about it, just because of the red veil over their faces? Well, that red veil has a name and is known as ‘ghunghat’ in Hindi.
In rural India, this would be one of the striking sights for you and me, with most women covering their faces in the presence of elders. Just for respect? Certainly, I don’t think so. This tradition has its roots in patriarchy, where women were expected to remain unheard and unseen.
In a village where gender roles are still strictly defined, men leave for cities in search of work while women stay behind, tending to homes, raising children, and managing daily chores. While modern India has moved toward gender equality, Naujheel remains a place where time has stood still, and where old norms continue to shape lives.
However, times are changing and the younger generation is challenging these norms. And it’s exactly what we want to see!
7. Chaarpai - The Indian villager’s couch
The Simpsons’ has been successfully entertaining us with its funny couch gags every episode now. Ever wondered, what the couch would have looked like if ‘The Simpsons’ were from rural India? Well, the couch would have been replaced with our very own piece of furniture, known as ‘charpaai’ and it literally means ‘four legs’ (we keep the words simple enough, unlike Americans, who may refer to a liquid product as ‘gas’, just kidding!)
It’s a simple piece of furniture, lightweight and can be found in every home here in Naujheel. You’ll find cots that are so old, that it will make you wonder if the furniture we purchase nowadays is deliberately made not to last long.
8. Fresh and Organic- Straight outta field
CDC recommends washing your fruits and veggies under running water, as part of their food safety guidelines. Who cares! Children here in Naujheel are baking potatoes right out of the fields and believe me, it’s delicious. Be it the roasted peanuts or the veggies, everything in Naujheel is fresh, organic and simple. Processed foods are still not so common here and we hope it doesn’t do so anytime soon.
9. Sill Batta- The ancient mixer grinder
Now that one has everything fresh from the field, what to do next? Your kitchen might say to plug in the electric mixer and grind some spices to get ready. In Naujheel, we have a more ‘solid’ alternative- the sil batta. This ancient solution is what you may know as a close relative of mortar and pestle and in Naujheel, people are still using it. I was worried if this was worth the effort, but I have to say, the flavours it reveals are much richer and more authentic than the electric grinders we use.
10. Some things are left for you to discover!
I can go on and on, as there are tons of new things that even I found new (and I’m from India); however, I would keep a few things unsaid, for you to discover. After all, it’s time for you to travel back in time.
In a nutshell….
Time seems to have frozen in this small village of Northern India, with the traditions preserved so well, that it feels like visiting an old age museum. People here respect their culture, value whatever little resources they have, and live a very fulfilling life in harmony with nature.
As the co-founder of a tour and travel company, I recommend this detour to anyone who visits India. And if you ever feel that such village scenery is exactly what you need for a modern detox, Reality Tours and Travel will always welcome you with joined (namaste) hands!
It’s high time, that you get to witness the authentic, unfiltered, and real India!
We would love to show you around this village on our Taj Mahal & Agra Tour or when you Plan Your Trip to India.
