I had always heard fantastical stories about the Konkan belt from hardbound travellers. There’s nothing quite like it, they’d say, describing its beauty with an utmost passion. Its turquoise blue waters that gently caress the virgin beaches, beautifully enveloped by the lush green Sahyadris. Nothing like its splendid temples that found a place in every village, each that beckoned with colours. To me, it always seemed like a utopian, distant land that only existed in fairy tales. Nevertheless, it was a land that I wished to explore, especially at a time when the internet had been holding me hostage 24/7 and all I wished to do was unplug and live a slow paced life - one that I found just minutes away from Konkan’s main town Ratnagiri in a sprawling farm stay – Atithi Parinay.
Tucked away in the tranquil environs of the vast stretching Konkan belt, Atithi Parinay is a sprawling pet-friendly, boutique homestay that provides an ethnic stay equipped with all mod cons. From tents to treehouses, huts and cottages, they have 10 individual guest rooms, ensuite bathrooms that are enveloped by mango, banana and coconut plantations spreading across 2 acres of lush green land. Atithi Parinay is a perfect place to unwind in the lap of nature and experience the rural idyll in all its naturalness.
Atithi Parinay lets visitors experience the nuances of a rural lifestyle by encouraging little things such as removing the footwear as one enters the house or sitting down for a meal together etc. There is a gushing river just behind the property where one can interact with village women who come to fill their pots or enjoy a spectacular sunset over the virgin beaches of Kotwade, that is just a few kilometres away.
Spend your evenings taking a walk through the village and visiting its many temples, plucking fruits from the trees, lazing away with a book on the hammock or playing with the adorable Maya, the owner’s friendly dog who will keep you good company. The food here, though vegetarian is absolutely homely and sumptuous, cooked in the traditional Konkansta Brahman style. We personally recommend the thick mango shake prepared with fresh mangoes grown right on the property. Do not forget to strike a conversation with Medha Sahasrabuddhe, the owner of the place who has a cosy house on the property. She will not just suggest places to see but also narrate riveting stories and legends about Konkan’s culture, life and history.
Cost: Starting at INR 4,300 per night for Non AC cottage.
Atithi Parinay is around 375 kilometres away from Pune. From Mumbai and Pune, there are night buses which drops the guests at a bus Stand from where they can take a rickshaw. All the trains going up to Tiruantpuram stop at Ratnagiri Station including Rajdhani express.
Featured image via Airbnb.
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