Summer spread its wide enticing wings in front of us. We
cousins had decided that the meeting point would be Pune this time. This was so
that the ladies (read girls) could catch up and freak out while the kids were
being looked after by the grand mom (who loved to do just that!). So that’s what we did, and what a blast we
had. Of course we made it up to the kids by taking them to parks everyday to
run around, fun zones in malls, EPIC 3D, tons of ice creams, and last but not
the least – an outing to Pavana Huts – an agro tourism destination. Pavana Huts was a petite farm house with
acres of land around it, and lots of space for kids to run around, play, soak
in the atmosphere of the fields and subject their taste bugs to awesome
home-cooked delicacies. The website indicated that the place does not claim to be
anything out of the ordinary. It was a break from the routine, in the lap of
nature.
Run by Mr. Prasadh G Yelakar, Pavana Huts is the outcome
of a simple idea of setting up a little farm, and opening it to people who
would like to get an idea of farm life, see what it is like to grow their own
crops, vegetables and fruits, laze around in the pond and just relax. Situated
near Pune, in a place called Kamshet, it is easily accessible if you have your
own vehicle. It takes around an hour and a half’s drive from Pune city to reach
the place, and Mr. Prasadh is very accurate with his directions. As we
entered through the narrow drive-way and parked our vehicle, we were welcomed
by Mr. Prasadh’s eager parents. They had setup a small table with a heavenly
breakfast of Poha and Upma, made in the authentic Maharashtrian style. After
double helpings of the same, came some strong and super sweet chai. Though we
would have preferred it a little less sugary, the chai masala that came fresh
from their farm made up for it.
After that Mr. Kelkar, ever so enthusiastic about his
current retired life, and ready to share his experiences, took us around the
house. He had a bedroom which visitors could use to rest, at a nominal price.
Beyond the hall was a kitchen where they cooked for themselves as well as the
visitors. The cooking was done on chulhas which were used in olden days, to
retain the taste of the rotis. They had bags of rice, jowar, bajra stored in
the wide kitchen which doubled up as a store room. The 70something Mr. Kelkar
explained to us that this was the best decision he had taken in his entire life
- to give up working, and self sustain himself and his wife on their own farm.
He seemed to enjoy walking around the fields, dealing with the couple of
farmers he had, give out instructions to the boys who helped him with the
electricity, plumbing, building etc.
He then took us around the farm, showing us the various
crops of jowar, bajra, rice, and the various veggies and fruits that were
growing around. Since it’s been just a few years from inception, they are still
figuring out the seasons and how / which crops grow better when. There was a guinea pig and rabbit coop, where
the kids stepped in and they were thrilled to hold the little animals in their
hand.
We did a session of boating in their man made pond just
for the fun of it. Kayaking was also an option, though we didn’t give it a
shot. Rest of the morning we literally slept in water. Another man made pond
which was had around one and a half feet depth of water, called out to us! And
none of us could resist. We lazed around for 2 hours and didn’t feel a wee bit
of the heat. The kids freaked out in the water slides and the water showers,
and refused to step out of it. We finally dragged them out to change for lunch.
Lunch preparation was simple Maharashtrian thali, which had
their trademark Bhakri Zunka, Zunka
bhakri - Maharashtrian dish is a traditional chickpea or besan based wet mix
which is then tempered with mustard seeds, garlic paste and curry leaves. This
zunka is then stirred with fried onion mix and enjoyed hot with jowar or bajra
bhakris or rotis. Along with this was dal chawal, which we had just to taste
the heavenly smelling farm grown rice. There was salad and papad to go along
with, sheera and last but not the least, masala buttermilk. Buttermilk was the
best part of the whole meal, and the couple served us as many helpings of the
same as we wanted. There was a small bell – pizza hut ishtyle – which we could
ring if we liked the food. This was to let the cooks know that their efforts
were more than appreciated.
Stuffed, we
contemplated as to whether we sleep, or do a trip to the near-by Pavana dam.
Unanimous decision was SLEEP! J After a short refreshing nap, what next? Tea and
garma garam pakodes!! Phew. Was there any space left in our tummies? Oh no, but
the onion pakodes were too tempting to resist. We chatted around, and Mr.
Kelkar picked an eighty year old tortoise out of its container and let it walk
around. The kids got a touch and feel of the animal.
Finally, some
pictures later, we said our byes to this lovely homely couple, and went back to
Pune after a relaxed day! For more details visit - http://www.pavnahuts.com/
