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Do you know which village was once called the “last village of India” and is now proudly known as the “first village of India”? The answer is Mana, a tiny Himalayan settlement in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, located close to Badrinath.

For years, Mana was described as India’s last village because of its location near the Indo Tibetan border. But its identity changed when a Border Roads Organisation signboard declared it the “First Indian Village.”

The change also gave travellers a new reason to look at this remote Himalayan settlement not as the end of the country, but as its beginning.

A village above the clouds

Situated at around 3,200 metres above sea level, Mana feels like a picture painted across the mountains. Traditional stone houses line its narrow lanes, while towering Himalayan peaks rise dramatically around the village.

The cold, crisp air, rushing rivers and rocky mountain slopes create a setting very different from the busy streets of Hyderabad. The Saraswati River flows near the village, adding the sound of rushing water to an already spectacular landscape.

Walk through Mana and you will find small shops selling woollens, local products and souvenirs. The village is simple, quiet and deeply connected to its mountain surroundings.

Where mythology meets the mountains

Mana is also filled with stories from Indian mythology. At Bheem Pul, a huge natural rock is believed to have been placed by Bhima to help Draupadi cross the roaring Saraswati River during the Pandavas’ journey towards the Himalayas.

Another major attraction is Vyas Gufa, traditionally associated with sage Ved Vyas. According to legend, he composed the Mahabharata here with the help of Lord Ganesha.

For adventure lovers, the route towards Vasudhara Falls offers dramatic Himalayan views, with the waterfall cascading down the mountains amid a vast, rugged landscape.

How to reach Mana from Hyderabad

For Hyderabad travellers, the easiest option is to fly from Hyderabad to Dehradun. From Jolly Grant Airport, the journey continues by road through Rishikesh, Rudraprayag, Joshimath and Badrinath before reaching Mana.

Another option is to take a train to Haridwar or Rishikesh and continue by road. The road journey is long, but it is also one of the highlights, with winding mountain roads, deep valleys, waterfalls and changing Himalayan scenery along the way.

Mana is only around 3 to 4 km from Badrinath, making it easy to include in a Badrinath trip.

A new beginning

The best time to visit is generally from May to early November, when the region is more accessible.

Mana may have once been known as the last village of India. Today, its new identity tells a more inspiring story. Here, at the edge of the Himalayas, India does not end. It begins.