The Simple living in Kurma Gramam village

Discover the serene simplicity and spiritual lifestyle of Kurma Gramam, an electricity-free village in Andhra Pradesh's scenic hills.

Long before the first light of day touches the hills of Anthakapalli, 28-year-old Srikanth is already awake. At around 3.30 a.m., inside a mud house in Kurma Gramam, the glow of a diya (lamp) flickering inside a lantern, its flame nearly fading as the castor oil runs dry. He quietly refills it. There is no electricity in the Vedic village, the soft illumination of the earthen lamps are the only source of light.

The 28-year-old begins his day with a simple routine. He sweeps the earthen floor of his home, freshens up, and takes a bath with warm water, heated on a firewood stove, as the houses do not have LPG connections. By then, his wife is ready too. Together, they step out, holding a lantern, to the prayer hall, a few metres from their home. With no street lights, the lantern guides them through the darkness. By 4.30 a.m., the village gathers at the prayer hall, located at the entrance of the village.

Inside the prayer house, a black cloth divides the space, allowing men and women sit separately. The atmosphere is disciplined and the rows of lamps line the hall. As the head of the village leads, the residents begin their prayers to ‘Lord Sri Krishna’, reciting mantras.

The rituals continue with the discourse of the Bhagavadgita or Bhagavatham, performed with devotion. The chants echo through the hall for nearly an hour. As the prayers draw to a close, the village head reads out the day’s panchangam (almanac). The locals barely remember what day it is as there are no calendars and digital watches in their homes.

As the final chants fade, the first rays of sunlight gently fall through small openings of the houses, which are made of wood and mud. The soft rays cut the glow of the lamps, that are illuminating the prayer hall and marking the beginning of a new day in the village.

Nestled amidst the scenic hills of Anthakapalli, about 60 km from Srikakulam and about 8 km from the famous Sri Mukhalingam shrine of Lord Shiva, Kurma Gramam is a hamlet, spread across 60 acres. The 17 families, comprising approximately 85 individuals, reside in the area.