Notes on the Geography of Northern India: Tikuri

What does a Bundelkhand village look like? Perhaps five miles south of Khajuraho there's one that's easy to look at.

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The village is at the toe of a granitic hill rising from a cultivated plain.

The village is compact.

Although streets are irregular, houses are often arrayed in square, family compounds.  The villagers rely on a bunded reservoir or tank for both domestic and irrigation water.

They also rely on Hanuman, the monkey god.  A very simple shrine is built into the side of the hill and overlooks the village.  Visitors can arrange a tour very easily.

Commercial activities are minimal.

A gate to a compound, screened so the cattle won't walk away.

Children cluster for a schoolyard photo.

Behind them, the goddess Durga rides her lion.  You could not find a village hereabouts that did not have a similar statue to mark the Durgapuga festival.