This Offbeat Himalayan Village is an Epitome of Aesthetic Pleasure

There's a tiny hamlet secretly nestled in the lap of Himalaya with a quite interesting and unique name; 'Corn Village'. When one hears the name of this place, one would definitely imagine rows and rows of corn fields in the surrounding. Though this is partly true, but the most distinctive feature of this village is, the locals use corn cob to decorate their house. The windows, the doors, foyers everything were decorated with corn. Hence the name 'Corn village'. Though the original name of this village is 'Sainji village'.

We started driving from Mussoorie. The entire stretch of Mussoorie to Kempty falls was overcrowded with unruly tourists, restaurants, shops, markets and loud hawkers and tourist guides doing their best to attract clients. These days hardly their is any existence of peace and tranquility in Mussoorie belt. But the moment we crossed Kempty falls, the cacophony and hustle of modern touristy world was replaced with sound of gushing wind playing across the stretch of lofty mountains. After 5 Km ahead of Kempty falls comes a steep downhill narrow road which leads to the village. It's very easy to overlook this turn. On the way I noticed only one sign board written 'Sainji' on it and that too without any direction arrow.

As we drove down the steep road we heard scuttling kids from a school located just at the outskirt of this village. The entrance of this village is marked with huge gate decorated with corns. Once I entered through the gate, there was cute little cafe and bakery. The cafe and the school were started by a Canadian lady 'Lori' and her Indian Husband. Initially only bakery items were served in the cafe but slowly they also included local dishes in the menu. As I continued to walk inside the village, there were colorful houses all around with an open square in the front yard.

The villagers were drying varieties of grains in the square. Women were chit chatting with each other while washing cloths and utensils. The kids were playing in the wooden verandah. The walkways of the village were paved with stones. As I was roaming around the village, it gave me a flavour of gated community of close knit 35 families.

I asked an old lady about the tradition of hanging corn cobs. She mentioned that the main purpose of hanging them is to dry and collect the seeds for next farming season. But interestingly, the corn bundles add a visual aesthetic.

The best time to visit this village is during winter when the entire village is beautifully adorned with fully bloomed corn fields in the surrounding. However, the villagers not only grow corns but also grow rice, wheat, potato, french beans and other seasonal vegetables. A small narrow canal cuts through the village, that is not only used for irrigation but also for household chores.

What surprised me the most that only a handful of people know about this charming village. Most of the tourists get stuck amidst harum scarum of Mussoorie and surrounding mainstream spots. So if you go to Mussoorie, please go beyond the Kempty falls and explore unseen, unheard and unknown corners of Himalaya. It waits with its vast beauty and bounty to spellbound you.

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