THE BEST OF RARE STAYS: THE SHOOLAGIRI FARM STAY
Untangling myself from heavy, angry traffic to reach the office every day is a situation I had sadly, come to terms with. ‘It is what it is,’ is what the logical part of my brain says. Of course, the fantasy side of my brain dreams of flying cars, magic portals, and secret underground tunnels, but that’s a story for another blog. My point is that in the middle of this heavy traffic, sweating, honking and screaming (in my head, of course), I had an epiphany. And that epiphany took me from the busy roads of Chennai to a serene village blooming with farms and hills; a chapter I’d like to call: The Shoolagiri Farm Stay.
So, what is ‘The Shoolagiri Farm Stay’ all about?
An escape into the mundane. Yes, it sounds cliché and perhaps similar to one of the sonnets of romantic poets, but the Shoolagiri Farm Stay is indeed an escape into the mundane from the hustle and bustle of the city. Located 22 kms from the industrial hub, Hosur, and in the district of Krishnagiri, is the Shoolagiri town. And there resides, basking under the sun, a 40-acre farmland, cottages with hosts and a breathtaking view of the greener side of earth—Ecoland Farms. My Shoolagiri Farm Stay began when I reached the Ecoland Farms in the middle of the night.
Realization Number One: Do not check into a farm at midnight.
No, I don’t say this because I was anxious. It’s because, to reach Ecoland Farms, I had to cross the Shoolagiri village situated in a hilly region, rocky paths and hairpin bends that had signs which said, ‘Careful! Elephants Crossing.’ Because it had been midnight, I was unfortunate enough to not encounter any elephants along the route, and I missed what may have been a scenic route. Nonetheless, when my cab driver drove through the flat arch of farm, and I exited the vehicle, I was embraced by cool winds, starlit sky and the scent of damp grass. It was a pleasant feeling telling me that I am far, far away from the city even though it’s only a few kilometers away. Despite the tardiness of the hour, I was greeted by the farm manager with a smile, and he led me down a soft slope towards a cottage that rested atop a small hill. The cottage was earthy. The sliding doors welcomed me to a stone flooring, bricked walls, furniture made from eco-friendly materials and a separate bathroom and toilet. Fresh sheets, towels and pillows promised comfort, and yet the best part of the cottage was a huge sliding window, taking up half a wall, built right above the bed.
Realization Number Two: You haven’t truly experienced a sunrise unless you wake up, mesmerized by its sight.
I stand by my statement. Sure, you can sleepily trot over to your terrace with a mug of coffee and enjoy the peace a sunrise brings. However, in a farm when soft, golden rays of rays wake you up because of a perfectly placed window, it’s a memory you’ll want to hold onto forever. The morning at the Shoolagiri Farm Stay, brought a sight, I had forgotten all about. Trees swaying gently, cold breeze caressing your face, acres and acres of wild greenery calling out to come explore. I took in an amazing scenic view, standing on the edge of the cottage’s cement-tiled porch. Not ready to let go of the painting-like view in front of me, I dragged the porch chair over to the grass lawn of the cottage and took a seat to simply enjoy the clouds floating in the early morning sky. A similar cottage sat a few feet away on grassy land slightly higher than mine, A fence enclosed the area, distinguishing Ecoland Farms’ farmland from that of others, flowers of all colours and sizes bloomed across the space, and in the distance, a few dogs rested in their kennels.
Realization Number Three: Farm-fresh cooking can be addictive.
It doesn’t get better than being greeted in the morning with wide-smiles and a warm cup of tea. I pen this with the utmost honesty that the staff at the Ecoland Farms are beautiful people. They didn’t hesitate to cater to me when I needed hot water, tea, food or anything else for that matter. After tea, I was invited to eat at the garden tables fit with adorable hay-roofs, overlooking the Athettilake at the bottom of the hill. Upon enquiry, I was told that I can fish in the lake, however, October wasn’t the season for fishing, but I can definitely head for a stroll in the evening. The farm staff had noted down my food preferences during the booking, and they made sure to prepare the food with utmost care. Of course, I wouldn’t go as far to say that the food I had at my Shoolagiri Farm Stay was the best food of my life, but I will tell you this, eating delicious Southern cuisine with the produce that grows in the farm, is incredibly fulfilling and a unique experience. It leaves you craving for more.
Realization Number Four: You don’t really need to do nothing to relax.
Yes, this is a quick weekend stay to relax, but I really don’t think that people ought to do nothing to relax. Ecoland Farms had understood that concept very well as they had created a list of activities that I could do throughout my stay. One of the first activities I explored at Ecoland Farms was a trek through their farmland. I began walking down the slope from the cottage with a guide who took me through marvellous fields of tomatoes, carrots, onions, gooseberry and so much more. Every step along the way, he narrated the history of Shoolagiri, the plans for the village, the recent developments and so many more stories that by the time I came back, I felt refreshed instead of exhausted. One of the other activities I partook in was a stroll by Athetti Lake, a serene and lovely spot. My guide told me that the lake has been left untouched by the villages, serving as a reserve for domestic animals and birds. My only regret had been that I didn’t think to bring my canvas and colours to paint the picture in front of me. I played board games, clicked pictures of the sun setting, played with the dogs and puppies, and read a book with my naked feet grazing the grass. The staff asked me if I wanted a bonfire by the garden, but since the weather had taken a windy twist, I declined.
The Final Realization
My two days were over, and it was time for me to board my bus. Pulling my luggage on to the dining area, which was illuminated by golden lamps, I sat down for dinner. As I was working my way through the first of the softest rotis, the chef came up to me with a jar in hand. He told me that he made tomato chutney for me with farm fresh tomatoes, and I can enjoy it with different meals for up to three days. It was one of my sweetest memories from Ecoland Farms at the Shoolagiri Farm Stay. I thanked him profusely and let out a sigh, breathing in the fresh air, soaking in the night sky of the breathtaking farmland and bidding it goodbye until next time. The cab door shut after me and I realized that this rare stay for a couple of days showed me that nature allows what the city doesn’t. To simply and unquestionably exist. So, dear reader, if you are living in Tamil Nadu or Bangalore, or simply visiting, make sure to cull out a day or two for one of the best and unique stays in South India at the Ecoland Farm in Shoolagiri.