PM Narendra Modi Birthday: Mana Village To Pithogarh; 5 Hidden Gems Popularised By Him

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has often promoted the rich Culture and heritage of India along with several hidden and picturesque destinations. Over the years, his visits, his Mann Ki Baat mentions, and his social media posts have turned several unknown places into thriving tourist destinations. As we celebrate his birthday, here are 5 such hidden gems of India that were popularised by PM Modi.

Hidden Destinations Popularised By PM Narendra Modi:

Add these picturesque locations to your travel bucket list that have been popularised by PM Narendra Modi. 

1. Mana Village, Chamoli, India's First Village

Located 3 km from Badrinath at 3,200 ft, Mana was traditionally called the last Indian village. During his visit in October 2022, PM Modi renamed it the first village. Since then, Mana’s signboard was changed from ‘Last Village’ to ‘First Village’, homestays have tripled, and the village, famous for its woollen clothes, Saraswati River origin, and Bhim Pul, has seen a record tourist footfall.

2. Adi Kailash and Om Parvat, Pithoragarh

This is perhaps the biggest example of how PM Modi's promotion boosted the tourist hype. When PM Modi visited Pithoragarh in October 2023, he did darshan of Adi Kailash, which is considered the earthly abode of Lord Shiva, and Om Parvat, the mountain where snow naturally forms the sacred ‘Om’ symbol. His visit was widely telecast, and after that, the region saw a three-fold increase in visitors in one year as per Uttarakhand Tourism’s Master Plan for Pithoragarh.

3. Gunji Village and Parvati Kund (Jolingkong), Vyas Valley

During the same Pithoragarh tour, PM Modi stopped at Gunji, which is a tiny border village at 10,000 ft inhabited by the indigenous Rung (Shauka) community and at Parvati Kund at Jolingkong. He interacted with locals, visited an exhibition of local products, and offered prayers at Parvati Kund. Gunji, which serves as the base for Adi Kailash yatra, is now developing as a homestay hub, giving a big boost to the Vibrant Village Programme.

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4. Jadung and Harsil, Uttarkashi - Revival of Abandoned Villages

In March 2026, PM Modi visited Harsil, the beautiful village in Uttarkashi known for apple orchards and as the winter home of Maa Ganga in nearby Mukhwa. He highlighted how villages like Jadung, abandoned after the 1962 Indo-China war, have been revived as the first villages under the Vibrant Village Programme with roads, electricity, internet and LPG. 

5. The Rann of Kutch, Gujarat

Once a barren and desolate salt desert, PM Modi actively developed and promoted it during his time as Chief Minister through the Rann Utsav, later helping it earn recognition from the UNWTO as one of the world's Best Tourism Villages.

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PM Modi’s push has not just put these places on the tourist map, but has also brought roads, livelihood, and pride to India’s most remote border communities.

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