Snapshots from a village with a big heart for books: Bhilar

Once you enter Satara, there are signboards every two kilometers leading you to Bhilar’s Pustakache Gaon or Books Village. Within the village, more signs tell you which spots have been transformed into libraries and what books you can expect within.

Updated on: May 08, 2017 8:45 PM IST

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Once you enter Satara, there are signboards every two kilometers leading you to Bhilar’s Pustakache Gaon or Books Village. Within the village, more signs tell you which spots have been transformed into libraries and what books you can expect within.

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Updated on May 08, 2017 8:45 PM

Located in Bhilar, which is within Maharashtra’s strawberry-growing region, between the hill stations of Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar, this is India’s first ‘Pustakache Gaon’. At this government centre, visitors can avail of audio books too.

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Aptly located in a temple is literature on saints and other holy books. Besides villagers’ homes, two schools, four temples and two resorts have been transformed into libraries. (pratik chorge / ht photo )

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It’s hard to miss any home that has been transformed into a library for each home is painted in murals made to match the genre of books on offer within. This house, for instance, belongs to Ganpat Parathe and has books on culture and art. (Pratik chorge/ ht photo )

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The book village is open to readers from 7 am to 8 pm. One can choose to sift through pages, read or browse in villagers’ homes or even have a quick chat with them. Excited villagers are also offering fresh fruit from their farms, juice, chai and the occasional snack! (Pratik Chorge / ht photo )