Background:

Khajuraho is part of the Bundelkhand region. Locally grown staples such as wheat, corn, rice and millets form the basis of the rustic and resourceful Bundeli cuisine. Milk products are an integral part of the diet, due to the wide prevalence of cattle-rearing. Locally grown fruits, vegetables and seasonal leafy greens (such as sarson, bathua, colocasia, radish, and pumpkin) add diversity to the plate. The use of forest produce (for example, mahua, ber, karonda and chironji) is another key aspect of the cuisine.

In olden days, hunting in the nearby forests provided additional sustenance, but with drastic reduction in the access to forests, people have moved to domesticated poultry and meat. Mutton and chicken, cooked in the Bundeli style, are popular among those who can afford it, but most of Bundelkhand’s agrarian community follows a largely vegetarian diet.

About this tour:

In this tour, we visit a local home in Khajuraho for an interactive cooking session and lunch/dinner. Typically, the menu includes Bundeli kadhi or dal, chicken curry, a seasonal vegetable dish, salad, papad, pickle, roti, and rice. There is no standard menu, as it varies based on the season and what’s available in the market.

The cooking session is led by the lady of the house. You can participate in the cooking to whatever extent you desire. This is not a cooking class conducted by professionals, but you’ll find yourself learning a lot about the regional cuisine because of the interactive and informal nature of the session. This tour also provides a chance to visit a local home and see what daily life is like.

Cooking takes around 90 minutes, after which you will eat together.

Start point: Raja café near the Western Group of Temples (the house is a 5-minute walk)

End point: Same as start point

When: All days of the week, for lunch or dinner

Duration: 3 hrs

Cost and Booking::

• INR 1600 per person for 7-10 persons
• INR 1800 per person for 5-6 persons
• INR 2000 per person for 3-4 persons
• INR 2500 per person for 2 persons
• INR 3000 for a solo traveller

Includes:
Home visit, interactive cooking session, lunch or dinner, bottled water, and all taxes

Excludes:
Transport to/from the hotel.

Prior reservation is mandatory. Email deepa@magictoursofindia.com or WhatsApp wa.me/+919867707414 to reserve a tour.

Tour Notes:
If you have any food preferences or restrictions, please let us know ahead of time. You have to take off footwear in the house, but socks are acceptable. The house is on multiple levels (the kitchen is not wheelchair accessible). You are welcome to photograph the cooking process.