Sauraha is surrounded by small Tharu villages, which you can explore by bike or on foot. Resist the urge to hand out sweets, pens and money; instead, if you want to help local people, shop in the village shops or eat in village bhojanalayas . Farming is the main industry and many people still decorate their houses with Mithila paintings and adobe bas-reliefs of animals. The nearest Tharu village is Bachhauli , a pleasant cycle or 20-minute walk out through the mustard fields of bright yellow flowers. Here you will find the informative Tharu Cultural Museum & Research Centre with colourful murals and exhibits on artefacts and local dress.
Harnari is one of the best villages to get a taste of Tharu culture. Bordering the Kumrose Community Forest, it’s less visited than Bachhauli and has a more authentic feel. There’s a tiny Tharu Cultural Museum here with displays of ornaments and a rakshi distillery pot. If it’s closed, ask around and someone will open it up. It’s a 20-minute bike ride from Sauraha to get here.
Sapana Village Lodge runs excellent tours of Tharu villages and organises activities from walking tours and planting rice in the fields with villagers, to fishing trips and cooking and art classes.
