Things To Do
in Usia
Usia is a small agricultural town in eastern Uttar Pradesh, set in the fertile Gangetic plains with a landscape of rice and wheat fields and scattered groves. The community is rooted in Bhojpuri and Hindi culture, with daily life revolving around markets, temples, and seasonal festivals. It’s a good base to experience rural North Indian life while being within reasonable reach of larger hubs like Gorakhpur.
Visitors can expect warm hospitality, lively street food, and a slow-paced, community-oriented atmosphere.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Begin your day with a leisurely walk through Usia's historic center, where ancient temples and colonial architecture stand side by side. Visit the revered Sri Lakshmi Narayana Temple, admiring its intricate carvings and peaceful ambiance. Enjoy a traditional South Indian breakfast at a local eatery, savoring dishes like idli and dosa with coconut chutney.
In the afternoon, delve deeper into the local history by visiting the Usia Museum, which showcases artifacts and stories from the region's past. Stroll through the bustling local market, where you can shop for handmade crafts, spices, and fresh produce while engaging with friendly vendors. Take a break at a charming café, sipping on freshly brewed filter coffee while enjoying the vibrant street life.
As the sun sets, head towards the picturesque lakeside park for a serene evening by the water. Join locals for a leisurely boat ride, soaking in the beautiful reflections of the surrounding hills on the lake's surface. Conclude the day with a delightful dinner at a nearby restaurant, sampling traditional dishes while listening to live folk music.
Start your day with a visit to a nearby village to experience the local culture firsthand, participating in traditional crafts like pottery or weaving. Spend time with artisans who will share their techniques and stories, allowing you to gain insight into their way of life. Enjoy a home-cooked breakfast prepared by a local family, featuring regional specialties that highlight the flavors of Usia.
In the afternoon, join a cooking class to learn how to prepare authentic Usia dishes, using fresh, local ingredients. Under the guidance of a skilled chef, you’ll create a meal that reflects the diverse culinary heritage of the region. After feasting on your creations, take a relaxing stroll through the village, soaking in the sights and sounds of rural life.
As evening approaches, return to Usia and visit a local cultural center to witness a traditional dance performance. The vibrant costumes and rhythmic movements will immerse you in the rich artistic heritage of the region. After the show, enjoy dinner at a popular local restaurant, where you can share stories with fellow travelers and savor more of Usia's delightful cuisine.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍛Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $1-3 |
| 🏨Budget hotel (per night) | $10-25 |
| 🧉Tea or street snack | $0.20-0.80 |
| 🚕Short autorickshaw/tuk-tuk ride | $0.50-2 |
| 💧Bottled water (1.5L) | $0.30-0.70 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Authentic rural North Indian experience with strong local culture
- Low cost of travel and food
- Good for photography of everyday village life and festivals
- Proximity to Gorakhpur for additional services and transport links
- Limited tourist infrastructure (few hotels, guided services)
- Language barrier if you don't speak Hindi/Bhojpuri
- Monsoon can disrupt travel and create muddy conditions
- Limited nightlife and entertainment options
- "Namaste" - Hello / Greetings
- "Dhanyavaad / Shukriya" - Thank you
- "Kripya (कृपया)" - Please
- "Kitna hua? (कितना हुआ?)" - How much is it?
- "Kahan hai? (कहाँ है?)" - Where is...?
- "Thoda dhyaan se (थोड़ा ध्यान से)" - Be careful / watch out
Places to Visit in Usia
Visit one of these nice places.
Wide paddy and wheat fields on the outskirts provide golden-hour shots, rural silhouettes, and authentic agrarian scenes.
A colorful marketplace full of produce, textiles, and vendors — excellent for candid street photography and portraiture.
Small-town temples and river/pond ghats (banks) capture devotional activity, rituals, and atmospheric early-morning or evening light.
Lakeside reflections, waterbirds, and boating activity (if available) make for peaceful landscape and wildlife shots.
Holi, Diwali, Chhath and local melas offer vivid colors, processions, and traditional costumes — great for cultural photography (ask permission first).
Food in Usia
Usia Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
Roasted wheat balls (litti) stuffed with spiced sattu, served with chokha (mashed spiced vegetables); commonly found at local eateries and roadside stalls.
Must-Try!
Classic breakfast options — deep-fried bread with spiced potato curry, and spicy/salty stuffed kachoris available at morning stalls.
Evening staples — tangy, spicy chaat mixes and crisp samosas sold at street corners and market alleys.
Local mithai sellers make rich sweets for festivals and everyday treats; try fresh jalebi hot from the pan.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
The town market is the best place to sample fresh seasonal produce, chaats, kachoris, and street sweets; visit in the morning for produce and late afternoon for snacks.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Use 'Namaste' with a slight bow or folded hands for polite greetings. Address elders respectfully and remove shoes before entering homes and many temples.
Conservative clothing is recommended, especially for women — cover shoulders and knees in public and religious sites.
Always ask permission before photographing people, especially women and during religious ceremonies.
Public displays of affection are frowned upon; avoid sensitive topics (religion, politics) in casual conversation and be mindful of caste and community dynamics.
Safety
Tipping in Usia
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is appreciated but modest: round up bills at small eateries, tip 5–10% in teahouses and restaurants that offer table service, and give small tips to guides, drivers, and hotel staff (₹20–100 depending on service).
Cash is king in small towns — keep small denominations. UPI and mobile wallets are widely used across India and accepted in many shops; credit/debit cards work at larger establishments in nearby cities but may not be accepted in local dhabas and markets.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
April–June are hot and humid; daytime temperatures frequently exceed 35°C (95°F). Plan outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon, carry water, sun protection, and light cotton clothing.
July–September bring heavy rains and high humidity; roads may be muddy and occasional localized flooding can occur. Travel times increase — keep flexible plans and waterproof gear.
October–November is pleasant with declining humidity and comfortable temperatures; this is a great time for festivals and outdoor exploration.
December–February are cool and dry, with chilly mornings and nights (5–15°C / 41–59°F). Ideal for sightseeing — pack layers for early mornings and evenings.
Usia at Night
Hiking in Usia
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
Short, low-elevation walks through marshy grasslands and village outskirts — good for casual hiking, birdwatching and experiencing rural ecosystems.
A larger protected area in the Terai region offering guided nature walks, safaris and wildlife viewing; reachable by road with prior planning and ideal for spotting deer, birds and larger fauna.
Part of the Terai arc — offers trails and guided tours; best visited with an experienced guide and during cooler months to avoid monsoon difficulties.
Airports
How to reach Usia by plane.
The closest regional airport with domestic flights to major Indian cities; reachable by road from Usia in roughly 30–90 minutes depending on exact location and traffic.
A growing regional airport serving the Buddhist circuit and some domestic flights; typically a 1–2 hour drive depending on route and road conditions.
A larger international airport approximately 3–4 hours by road; offers many domestic and some international connections and is a common gateway for travelers exploring eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
Majority of residents are farming families engaged in rice, wheat and seasonal crops — traditional lifestyles and close-knit communities.
People who commute to nearby towns (like Gorakhpur) for work, education, or trade, blending rural and urban influences.
A mix of Hindu and Muslim communities with shared local customs, festivals, and marketplace interactions; languages include Hindi, Bhojpuri, and Urdu.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
The most popular pastime — local matches are common in fields and school grounds, drawing neighborhood crowds.
A traditional contact sport popular in rural Uttar Pradesh, often played at local tournaments and melas.
Traditional wrestling in akharas (mud pits) remains culturally significant and local competitions are held periodically.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Usia.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian food is widely available and often the default in many households and eateries. Ask about ghee/dairy use if avoiding animal products and confirm no hidden meat stocks in gravies.
More challenging but manageable — opt for plain dals, vegetable sabzis, rice, and rotis; explicitly request no ghee or curd. Fresh fruit and salads are options but may be washed in local water — prefer peeled fruit.
Where meat is served, many shops offer halal options; kebabs and mutton/chicken dishes at Muslim-run eateries are commonly available. Ask if you need specific halal certification.
Rice-based dishes are widely available; avoid wheat-based rotis, parathas, and most fried snacks unless prepared with separate oil and care.