Siberia’s mysterious Indian village: Temples, bhajans, traditions - travellers can’t believe what they found at -40°C

In the depths of Siberia, one can hear the chanting of “Hare Krishna” when the temperature falls below -40°C. It seems like a fairy tale from the internet, a village in the far reaches of Siberia that practices religious rites and chants derived from Hinduism, and conducting yoga sessions in the midst of one of the harshest climates in the world. But this is a true story about Okunevo. There are accounts on Instagram by an Indian traveller (@indigotrekker23) who shares his stories, and some find them remarkable while others are amazed.

Okunevo is a small rural village located in the Omsk region of Russia, western Siberia.

The village has been known for years in virtual space using striking names like “the Hindu village of Russia” or “miniature India in Siberia.” However, the truth of the matter is somewhat different – and perhaps even more exciting.

Is Okunevo then really a Hindu village?

Well, not quite.

It’s true that there is a Krishna temple in Okunevo, as well as the followers of the Hare Krishna movement affiliated to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. There have been reports of bhajans being chanted by the villagers in various spiritual events and religious celebrations.

However, the village cannot be called completely a Hindu settlement by the strict definition. It can rather be considered a village inhabited by people of various spiritual orientations. And this very feature has made Okunevo famous among alternative tourists.


The contrast is what fascinates travellers

One reason why Okunevo is so interesting is because of the stark contrast between cultures and scenery.

The Siberian landscape is renowned worldwide for its harsh winters, snow, icy rivers, dense forests, and remoteness.

It’s true that the temperature in certain parts of Siberia can drop to about -40°C in winter. Against that backdrop, the image of people singing Krishna bhajans, practicing yoga, or discussing Vedic philosophy feels almost surreal to outsiders. This is mostly the reason why Okunevo has gone viral across the internet.

Has Okunevo become a tourist spot? To some degree, it has. Okunevo has earned itself a reputation among tourists and fans of “mystical tourism.”

But Okunevo still is a small and somewhat secluded rural community. This place is not really a tourist attraction, nor does it have the same level of development typical for other Russian resorts. When visiting the site, tourists are still very much going to rural Siberia, and not a recreated Indian village covered in snow.

The greatest misunderstanding in viral videos

It is commonly believed on the internet that Okunevo is completely Hindu or an unknown Indian civilization within Russia. The presence of Hindu and Vedic elements in this village is quite recent spiritual phenomena that began developing during the last few decades.

The reason why Okunevo is intriguing is not the idea of India inside Russia, but the fact that spiritual movements, traditions, and communities can reach lands far away from their origins. Maybe, this is the exact reason why Okunevo remains a source of fascination among tourists on the internet, as few expect to hear “Hare Krishna” chants in the heart of Siberia.