The Village Sans Shoes

Some 20 minutes from Kodaikanal, you will come across a hamlet that beckons you. But before you could step your shoe-covering foot in the premise of the village, read the sign. Tamil Nadu&rsquos footwear-free village of Vellagavi gently asks visitors to remove their shoes before entering their land. As strange as it seems, everyone does follow through, be it the residents or tourists or someone just passing through to the other end.

The Shoes-Less Village
This 300-year-old village needs to be explored sans shoes. The reason Faith. Yes, the entire village, which only houses some 100 families, is dotted with as many as 25 temples. With so many temples in the village, the residents treat the entirety of the land as a big village and as you cannot step inside a temple with shoes on hence, the people follow this one rule religiously. If you plan on visiting this village it&rsquos best to be prepared for a lot of barefoot walking.

Middle Of Nowhere
Vellagavi&rsquos perpetual charm also stems from its location and lack of touch with hyper-modern civilisation. Although there are some fundamental hiccups you&rsquoll encounter here like lack of hospitals, school or proper roads, you might also find your lost-in-the-big-city-hustle sanity if you decide to spend a day here. The villagers trek to Kodaikanal every day for the basic amenities as there is only a lone tea shop that also doubles as the stop for all your camping needs.

Trekker&rsquos Paradise
Although a lot of trekking terrain can be covered near this place, it is surely a difficult path to tread on. As you start your trek all the way from Kodaikanal&rsquos Dolphin Nose to Vellagavi, it will take you somewhere close to six hours to reach. With the winding road is not properly made up and the deathly gorges loom on the sides. Be careful while walking as even the most seasoned of trekkers will consider this a difficult task. The smells from the orange farms and coffee and cardamom plantations nearby accompany you, as you wade your way through the dotting of lemon trees.

How To Reach
The village is 20 minutes from Kodaikanal and can be reached via a strenuous trek. You can keep your shoes on until you reach the threshold of the hamlet, arriving at which a sign reads &ldquoPlease take your shoes off&rdquo. Kodaikanal is well-connected and the best way to reach this far-flung village is by taking a flight or train to Kodaikanal and then trekking to the village.

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