The Indian state of Rajasthan plans to pursue an initiative to attract more tourists to its rural regions.

In order to take full advantage of India's booming travel industry, the Rajasthan government is to launch a project that will take tourists on visits to small villages and offer them local cuisine.

The towns that are expected to be the first involved in the scheme are Bichoon near Jaipur and Abhaneri in the Dausa district.

Rajasthan's cooperative minister, Prabhulal Saini, told the Indo-Asian news service: 'Initially, we have decided to start the project from two villages.

'We have identified 26 villages in 15 districts for this, and these villages would be named as tourist "dhanis".'

It is hoped that visitors will be given an insight into the nature of India's rural regions and be able to enjoy the countryside of Rajasthan through the project.

Tourists would have the opportunity to taste local delicacies such as rabri, dal-bati and bara-ki-roti and also play traditional games with the local villagers.

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