The Hermitage is a well-appointed and secluded working farm set amidst the lush forests of the Western Ghats. If you are a Wildlife enthusiast or Nature Watcher, keen on Birding in India, a Nature Photographer, enjoy Trekking, or just simply love the outdoors, then the Hermitage is a perfect holiday destination for you.

Your Farm stay at the Hermitage will give you an opportunity to experience and observe life in Rural India, an opportunity seldom presented to the international traveler. Have a close encounter with Provincial India, the Village Community, and its Culture.

The Background : The Western Ghats have been designated as one of the worlds 18 bio diversity hotspots. It is a chain of hills extending over 1600 kms along the West Coast of Peninsular India, housing one of the richest assemblages of flora and fauna on earth. The biological richness can best be understood when one realises that 27 percent of all the species of higher plants recorded in the Indian sub continent are found here.The rich biological wealth also includes mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. It is here that frogs reach their highest diversity, with over 100 species. Endemism is a natural feature here and this is exhibited not only among frogs, but also among plant species, nearly 1800, are endemic to the region. The Wroughton’s free-tailed bat, Otomops wroughtoni is another endemic species, located very near us at Talevadi that unfortunately, is in danger of extinction. The western slopes of the mountains experience heavy annual rainfall, while the eastern slopes are drier. The predominant vegetation types include deciduous and tropical rain forests, montane forests, grasslands, and scrub forests in lower, drier areas. The Western Ghats has something for everyone, whether it is medicinal plants, birds, frogs, elephants, or bats.

Why not spend your vacation in The Western Ghats with your own personal hosts, enjoying all the comforts of home, while experiencing the Colour and Chaos that is India! You'll take back memories to treasure for a lifetime.

Accommodations : There are three independent units available each styled differently. All are comfortable and respect the privacy of guests.

Experience the art of simple living without electricity, without television and the other trappings of modern life. Comfortable and very enjoyable nevertheless.

The Machan: A home on stilts eleven feet above the ground with great views. Built with bamboo and wood. There is a private western style bathroom at ground level, open to the sky. Look up and delight in the green forest canopy, you will find it far more interesting than a book! Cold running water supplied on tap, hot water available from a 'Bhum', located near by. The Machan is not electrified.

The Kadaba: Built in the traditional style of the area, the Kadaba is a typical village home. Based on a raised foundation of rammed earth, the Kadaba is built of bamboo, wood and mud plaster. Modern western style bathroom, open to the sky, built with bamboo and thatch. Cold running water supplied on tap, hot water available from a 'Bhum' located close by in the recreation area. Not electrified (Two young children can also be accommodated in this cottage.)

The Gota: Is a rural cottage, with cool soothing interiors. The floors are locally made red clay tiles, and the roof is distinctive, because of the old recycled, hand made village tiles. There is a modern western style bathroom attached, with running hot and cold water. The Gota is electrified. (Two young children can also be accommodated in this cottage.)

The Recreation Area : If you are in the mood for company here is where is it all happens, this is also the dinning area complete with a barbecue pit. You will find comfortable chairs for lounging and chatting. The 'Bhum' for hot water is also located here. The notice board will bring you up to date with the latest news.

Food : We pride ourselves on our food, which is both wholesome and healthy, assured by using only the freshest of ingredients, natural herbs and spices, and low cholesterol sunflower oil. We cater to both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

But our forte at the Hermitage is Parsee and Anglo Indian Cooking. The two communities have a lot in common, they are essentially town-dwellers, westernised, love family life, and take their food and drink very seriously. Both their styles of cooking are a blend of many cultures.

Parsee Cooking : Parsee cooking has its roots in the community’s Persian heritage, and the resemblance remains to modern Iranian food. One such likeness that Parsees and Iranians share is their affinity for meat and eggs, [both Iranian and Parsee cooking use them well], and there is no tradition of vegetarian cooking in either cuisine. Parsee food has of course been influenced by the traditions of Indian cooking, notably by the food culture of Western India. Ginger and Garlic, fresh herbs particularly mint, and the spices coriander and cumin, are all generously used in Parsee cooking. Nush e Jan!

The Parsees: The Parsees are the Followers of one of the world’s oldest religions, and belong to one of the world’s oldest civilisations. Founded by Zoroaster, the religion dates from around 1000 BC. The Parsees were the original inhabitants of Ancient Persia, which is now modern day Iran. In 936,a group of Zoroastrians immigrated to India to escape religious persecution. Today, these Zoroastrians are known as Parsees. Though the Parsees assimilated into their country of adoption, they retained their distinctiveness, their unique culture, religion, and way of life.

Anglo Indian Cooking : Memories of Kofta Curry and Yellow Rice at Sunday lunch. Anglo-Indian cuisine, as the name suggests is a delicious blend of East and West. The Western preference for meat and eggs is balanced with the Indian affinity for vegetables, rice, and pulses. The Anglo Indian Kitchen is perfectly capable of producing a delectable Irish Stew as it is a dish of Pork Vindaloo.

The Anglo-Indian: The Progeny of mixed marriages, the name that came to denote The Eurasian population in India. In the 18th century, Warren Hastings used the term to describe both the British in India and their Indian born children. However according to the Indian Constitution you must be of male European descent if you wish to call yourself an Anglo-Indian.
The Anglo-Indian is a product of East and West, a unique blend of two very different cultures. It shows, in their traditions, their religion, speech, and customs.

Unusual Ingredients : Included in the menu are lots of unusual indigenous fruits and vegetables, some grown locally, others that grow wild in the Western Ghats. The Jackfruit [Artocarpus heterophyllus] has two varieties, one a delicious fruit or the other cooked as a vegetable. Home made Jam made from the Wild Jamun [Syzyguim cuminii] is delicious. The Chikkoo, Breadfruit, and the sweet and crunchy Ber are other fruits you might like to try. From the Annonaecae family you have Bulls Heart, Custard Apple and Cherimoyer. Bananas, have you ever tried them cooked as a vegetable? Taste the diminutive Elichi bananas of South India.

There is a choice of Vegetables like the Drumstick, (Moringa oleifera), rich in iron and vitamins, the Hyacinth Bean (Dolichos lablab) believed to be one of the most ancient of cultivated plants. Try Karela or bitter gourd (Memordica charantia L), supposed to be good for diabetics, or sample one of South India’s most popular vegetables, The Snake Gourd (Trichosanthes anguina L).

Our list includes nuts such as the Charoli, (Buchanania lanzan spreng), and Bibiya, (Holigarna arnottiana Hook.F) both grow wild in the forests of the Western Ghats, and are delicious. We are happy to accommodate special diets and requests.

Activities : All sorts of activities can be undertaken at the Hermitage, but not necessarily as an organized program. Guests can decide how they want to spend their day, how active or inactive they want to be. Walkabouts on the farm and participating in farm activities are part of our stay program and are at no extra cost. Those guests interested in the local culture, and interacting with the local communities, will get plenty of opportunities to do so. Guests may also choose just to relax, read, chat, or play a game of mah-jongg.

What follows is a list of some activities for your stay at The Hermitage. Your hosts are always available to help you plan your days here.

• Trekking

• Excursions by 4 x 4 Jeep

• Krishnapur Village and the Mahadai Valley:

• Bhimghad

• Gavali

• Pansera and Dikaygalli

• Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary

• Ulvi Caves

• Adventure Sports at Ganeshgudi

• Tibetan Settlement at Mundgod

• Other Places of Interest

• Textile Dyeing

• Throwing a Pot

A customized itinerary can be put together for you, we invite you to discuss your needs via e-mail. Or if you prefer you can make your choices when you get here.

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