Located about an hour south of Pune, India, by new toll road, the Rice Village in Bhor was completely different than when seen a month previous, before monsoon season. The first rains have quickly greened the entire region and has begun to fill the huge lake created by a British-made dam a century ago.
We returned to this village to see the change and get to know the region better. The dozen small village clusters were teaming with activity, while some farmers continued to till and prepare more rice fields, many already planted with tiny sprouts patching the centers of others prepared just weeks earlier.
Two to four dwellings with quarters and kitchens for English speaking cultural guides will be grouped nearby the existing clusters of village life. Pune-based or expatriate travelers will benefit from the bridge to simple lifestyle. The life cleansing monsoon cycle, abundant rice fields, terraced hillsides and water all make up the charming lifestyle.
In this 5000 acre area, we shall develop both traveller and real estate experiences. Establishing first the traveller destination, with arrival by float plane from Pune, the Ayurvedic and organic farm-based healthfulness will be our focus.
The village life is not made up of teaming throngs, but is approachable and charming, almost innocent. Absent is the crush of ashrams and strangeness. With one’s cultural guide (for lack of a better descriptive noun for the moment) immersion at a pace set by the traveler is achievable; South Asia becomes familiar and welcoming.