What does a Bundelkhand village look like? Perhaps five miles south of Khajuraho there's one that's easy to visit.
The village is at the toe of a granitic hill rising from a cultivated plain.
The village is compact.
Although the street pattern is irregular, houses are often arrayed in square, family compounds. The villagers rely on a bunded reservoir or tank for both domestic and irrigation water.
They also rely on Hanuman, the monkey god. A very simple shrine is built into the side of the hill and overlooks the village.
Shops are minimal.
A gate to a compound, screened so the animals don't walk away.
Children cluster for a schoolyard photo.
Behind them, the goddess Durga rides her lion. You could not find a village hereabouts that did not have a similar statue to mark the Durgapuja festival.
