View of the library from inside. / Courtesy photo

About 24 kilometres from Dehradun, where the Shivalik ranges draw close and the air carries the scent of Deodar forests, a sprawling 25-acre sanctuary is quietly rewriting India's relationship with its creators. This is Lekhak Gaon — the country's first Writers' Village — and the man behind it is no ordinary dreamer.

Former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, former Union Education Minister, and himself a prolific author of over 120 published books, Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' has built at Thano village what many are already calling a civilisational gift to the world of letters.

Atal Ji's Vision, Nishank's Tribute

When I sit with Dr. Nishank at the edge of the village, the Himalayan peaks provide a dramatic backdrop to our conversation. I ask what truly sparked this massive project. His eyes light up as he recalls the inspiration from one of India's greatest literary statesmen.

"Atal ji was a poet and a writer at heart. He always believed that literature is the soul of a nation and that those who create it deserve a sanctuary where their thoughts can flourish. It was his deep love for the arts that inspired me to bring this project to life — a place where the pen finds its true peace." — Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank

For Nishank, this village is more than just infrastructure; it is a tribute to that poetic legacy. Having authored works across poetry, travelogues, and spirituality, he understands that a writer needs more than just a desk — they need an atmosphere.

"The Himalayas have always been a centre of inspiration. There is something in this land that people take inspiration from and make their name in the world. I wanted to give writers a home worthy of that inspiration." — Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank

Former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, former Union Education Minister, and himself a prolific author of over 120 published books, Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' has built at Thano village what many are already calling a civilisational gift to the world of letters. / Courtesy photo

A Village Built for the Word

What unfolds at Thano is extraordinary. The campus blends traditional Pahadi architecture — local stone slabs and Deodar wood — with striking glass-studded creative cottages that reflect the surrounding forest. There are 12 premium Author's Cottages, the Rahul Sankrityayan Bhawan for guests, and 22 Maharaja Tented stays.

The facilities are meticulously designed and each carries a distinct cultural and spiritual significance:

• Nalanda Library & Research Centre — Already housing over 60,000 books with a visionary target of one million volumes, this is an integrated repository of the Vedas, Ayurveda, Philosophy (Darshan), Folk Literature (Lok Sahitya), Science (Vigyan), and literature in various Indian languages — a confluence of India's vast knowledge traditions under one roof.
• Sparsh Himalaya Sanjeevani Vatika — A living centre of health, energy, and new consciousness, where over 350 medicinal plants are preserved, offering visitors a direct encounter with the healing wisdom of the Himalayas.
• Navgrah & Nakshatra Vatika — A unique opportunity to connect with nature and culture through one's birth constellation. Here, nine special varieties of plants represent the nine celestial bodies (Navgrahas) , allowing visitors to discover their own planetary connection amidst serene botanical gardens.
• Himalaya Rasoi — Serving authentic Garhwali and Pahadi cuisine to fuel the creative soul.
• Advanced Auditorium — A cultural centre where literary, cultural, and artistic activities from almost all states of India converge and come to life throughout the year. With seating for 315 and world-class acoustics, it serves as a year-round stage for the nation's creative diversity.
• A 300-year-old heritage temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha and Nagaraja Devta.
• Yoga & Meditation Centre — For the mind that needs to empty itself before it can create.

To maintain a serene and sattvic atmosphere, alcohol and non-vegetarian food are strictly prohibited on campus.

The campus blends traditional Pahadi architecture — local stone slabs and Deodar wood — with striking glass-studded creative cottages that reflect the surrounding forest. / Courtesy photo

A Presidential Endorsement

The village received its highest seal of approval when it was inaugurated by former President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind. Reflecting on the scale and vision of the project, he remarked:

"Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has brought this concept to life, which is a wonderful and unprecedented effort. Through the natural beauty of the Himalayas, the Sparsh Himalaya Foundation has constructed this extraordinary Writers' Village, and this historic village has been established as a pilgrimage site for writers." — Shri Ram Nath Kovind, Former President of India

His words capture the spirit of Lekhak Gaon — not merely a retreat, but a tirtha (sacred pilgrimage) for those who wield the pen.

A Calling to the Global Indian Diaspora

Nishank's vision extends far beyond the hills of Uttarakhand. During our talk, he issued a heartfelt invitation to the Indian diaspora settled across the globe.

"I call upon the Indian diaspora across the world to visit Lekhak Gaon. Come back to your roots, stay amidst the serenity of the Himalayas, and allow this atmosphere to culminate your writing and poetic skills into a reality. This village is your canvas." — Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank

This global outreach was evident during the village's inauguration ceremony, held as part of the Sparsh Himalaya Mahotsav, which saw participation from authors and thinkers representing over 65 countries — officially positioning Thano as an international literary hub.

A Journalist's Endorsement

Among the distinguished visitors is Shri Vijay Manohar Tiwari, Vice Chancellor of the Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, Bhopal. A senior journalist of 25 years and author of 12 books, Tiwari noted:

"In all my years of writing and travelling across this country, I have rarely seen a place where the natural environment and intellectual purpose are in such perfect harmony. Lekhak Gaon is a rare institution — and one that journalism and literature schools across India must connect with." — Shri Vijay Manohar Tiwari, VC, MCU Bhopal

Tiwari indicated that he is keen to explore institutional ties between his university and the village, envisioning it as a training ground for the next generation of researchers and storytellers.

The Word Has Found Its Home

As the evening light turns the glass cottages into gold, one truth remains: Dr. Nishank has ensured that the "written word" finally has a permanent address in the mountains. Lekhak Gaon is not just a retreat; it is a declaration that stories are the heartbeat of civilization, and in the lap of the Himalayas, they have finally found a home.

Discover more at New India Abroad.