Do you love meeting like-minded people on your travels and connecting with communities? Here are some helpful tips on where and how to find community on your trip to India.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commision if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.
As a fellow traveller, I am sure you will agree with me that a very special aspect of travelling is meeting new people from all across the globe.
India is one of the most amazing countries in the world for connecting with communities. You will form life-long connections and get involved with communities that touch your heart forever.
As you plan your trip to India, you might be wondering where the best places are to find community and how you can get involved to meet new people. This post will cover all of the community tips I gathered over my 2 years in India.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF WHEN LOOKING FOR COMMUNITY IN INDIA
We all have different needs or motivations for seeking out a community. You can think about where you are in your personal, business and social life at the moment. Think about what you wish to share with others and the experiences you want to have when travelling through India.
Connections with communities not only serves you in your own journey but also allows you to be of service to others. I believe this is a major theme that India holds. You can find yourself having so many beautiful experiences within communities that you would not have had on your own.
Between the locals of India and the tourist communities, most people are very welcoming and accepting of new people.
WHAT ARE YOUR INTERESTS?
India is so abundant with all kinds of communities and different people with an array of interests.
Most likely, you want to be meeting people and getting involved in communities that you can feel at home with. But you might even meet people that spark new interests in you that you did not even know you had.
Depending on what your interests are, you can find a community that most resonates with what you enjoy doing.
Are you a creative person? Maybe you love jewellery making, music, art or dancing. I joined a silver jewellery making class for a few months where I met so many creative people who I am still friends with today.
Is nature your main reason for travelling to India? Perhaps you enjoy trekking mountains, exploring beaches, desert adventures and wildlife safaris.
Adventuring and keeping fit might interest you if you love being active on your trip. There are so many activities and classes you can join to connect with people of the adventurous spirits.
Do you love learning, offering your skills, or volunteering? Well, India is a great place to learn from experts in your fields of interest and also to give back to the community.
Are you more spiritual? There are so many spiritual communities in India from yoga to ashrams to smaller prayer and meditation groups.
There is truly a community in India for all different interests and hobbies.
WHAT KIND OF COMMUNITY ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Are you looking for a community that holds the same values and interests as you? Or a community that is involved in something new that you’ve been wanting to try?
Whether you prefer meeting people in a smaller, more intimate setting or at social events and big gatherings, India has it all. The amount of local and foreign travellers forming communities all across India will pleasantly surprise you.
Surrounding yourself with people you can relate to and feel free with expressing your most authentic self with is one of the most important factors of finding community. This is what India is all about!
The freedom of expression and genuine aura of the people inspired me so much when I was in India. This held space for me to be my most authentic self and create meaningful connections with people.
You can also join communities from which you can learn new skills or offer your value to others. I loved experiencing new things and getting involved in helping the local communities in and around where I lived. But more on that in the next section…
HOW TO BE INVOLVED IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN INDIA?
My all-time favourite memories of India come from my experiences with local communities in Rajasthan. I first shared the stories of the gypsy families in Pushkar with my community on social media. Wonderful people all across the world started sending in donations to help these families through the tough times of Covid.
I visited the families in the gypsy camps multiple times throughout my time in India. I became friends with the families, I played with the children, and I got to experience the ways of life in the rural settlements.
Over and above being able to give to these families in need, I felt like I was the one being blessed with their presence, love and gratitude. Even though they have so little, they still wanted to make me food and tea. They welcomed me into their homes with open arms.
Rajasthan is not the only place where you can get involved with local communities. You can do this all across India.
IF YOU ARE NOT SURE WHERE TO START, HERE ARE A FEW TIPS ON HOW YOU CAN CONNECT WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS INDIA:
- Use homestays for accommodations – This is a great way to meet Indian families and their surrounding community.
- Community projects – Most places you visit in India have some kind of projects happening to give back to the community. Just to mention a few ideas, you can do beach clean ups, hold art workshops for children, help homeless animals, donate clothes, books or food to people in need.
- Volunteer – There are hundreds of different volunteer programs and opportunities in India. A helping hand is always appreciated. You can volunteer at animal welfares, orphanages, programs for women, teaching underprivileged children, food kitchens, empowerment programs and so much more! You can even get involved in eco-stays and farming.
- Random acts of kindness – We all know that a little kindness goes a long way. Whether you feel to take a homeless dog to the vet, buy groceries for a family or help a stranger you meet, these are such beautiful and authentic ways to connect with local people.
WHERE ARE THE BEST PLACES FOR COMMUNITY IN INDIA?
There are communities of travellers and local communities all across India. Depending on where you go, you will find communities for different interests.
BEST PLACES FOR TRAVEL COMMUNITIES:
- Goa – Arambol, Mandrem, Morjim, Anjuna, Palolem, Patnem
- Karnataka- Gokarna and Hampi
- Tamil Nadu – Vattakanal and Kodaikanal
- Kerala – Varkala
- Rajasthan – Pushkar
- Uttrakand – Rishikesh
- Uttar Pradesh – Varanasi
- Himachal Pradesh – Manali, Vashisht, Parvati Valley, Dharamshala
- Ladakh – Leh
BEST PLACES FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES:
- Delhi
- Mumbai
- Pushkar
- Dharamshala
- Calcutta
- Agra
- Jaipur
- Kerala
- Chennai
WHAT CAN YOU DO IN INDIA TO MEET NEW PEOPLE?
The beauty of India is that there is every activity and event in the book to meet new people at! And it is so easy to find out about everything that is happening in and around your community.
You will see posters at restaurants and shops, your hosts are knowledgeable about all the happenings, and events are well-spread by word of mouth between the community. People in the community will also be inviting you to any events they are organizing.
Because of the strong community vibe in India, you can expect to meet many lovely people at restaurants and hostels and even on your nature adventures.
Events you can attend to CONNECT WITH people:
- Sunsets on the beaches in Goa and in the Himalayas
- Trekking and tour groups
- Ecstatic dance
- Traditional Indian Festivals
- Yoga classes
- Jewellery classes
- Massage courses
- Meditation and breathwork classes
- Salsa dance classes
- Music festivals
- Cooking classes
- Jam sessions and band nights
- Kiertans
- Flow arts sessions
- Women circles
- Men’s circle
- Cacao ceremonies
- Markets
- Special events in the area
EXTRA TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE WHEN CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITIES IN INDIA
There might be times when you meet new people or get involved with communities that just do not feel right to you. I certainly experienced this a few times in India. Following your intuition when meeting new people is key.
I was approached by people in Goa to attend events that I did not feel comfortable with at all. The best thing to do is kindly but strongly decline the offer. And remember that you do not owe anyone an explanation for saying “no”.
You can get recommendations from other travellers on which events to attend and the most honest community projects to get involved in.
Volunteering in India could certainly change your life and gift you with many unexpected experiences. If you are volunteering in the rural areas of India, make sure you are working with an official and trustworthy volunteer program. Your safety is very important no matter where you are in India.
If you decide to help local communities out of your own, make sure that it is safe for you to go where you are needed. It is best to take a friend or group of friends with you when visiting the rural areas without a volunteer group.
I felt very comfortable and safe with the families in Pushkar, so I did visit them on my own. You should only do this entirely at your own discernment and after researching the safety of the area. When in doubt, going with someone who knows the area well or is connected with the community is a much better option.
Lastly, do not be afraid to be yourself, share your interests and put yourself out there. You can only meet new people if you are willing to connect with others. India has a lot of magic to share with you if you keep your heart and your mind open. Just be who you are, and you will naturally gravitate towards the communities that you resonate with the most.
People have always asked me if I was lonely while travelling solo in India. But the truth is, you are never truly alone. There is a beautiful community of people in most places around India. There is no doubt that you will meet many different people along your travels. India is a very welcoming and accepting place for all people. And this is something special about India that makes it such a beautiful country.
