- HOMEGROWN WORLD
- #HGCREATORS
- #HGEXPLORE
- #HGVOICES
- #HGSHOP
- CAREERS
- ABOUT US
- CONTACT US
The Nilgiri Hills are a slice of heaven you have to see to believe made up of cool mountain breezes, lush green valleys, and the faint aroma of tea make life feel like a dream. Cradled in the lap of the Western Ghats and shared by Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, these 'blue mountains' get their name from the magical Strobilanthes flowers that bloom across the slopes, turning the hills into a peacock hue. Home to indigenous communities like the Toda, Kota, Irula, and Badagas for centuries, the Nilgiris carry stories older than time, yet they’re alive with energy and charm that draw travelers from all walks of life. Whether you’re wandering through the tea estates of Ooty, savoring Badaga cuisine, or just soaking in the quiet hum of nature, the Nilgiris have a way of stealing your heart.
Exploring the same, the Nilgiris Earth Festival is back in its third glorious edition this December, transforming the breathtaking Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve into a window into a celebration of nature, culture, and conscious living. From December 19th to 22nd, 2024, this annual festival, once called the Nilgiris Wild Foods Festival, will shine a light on indigenous foods, local traditions, and the ecological marvel of the UNESCO-listed biosphere. It’s more than just a festival—TNEF feels like an, reminding us of the deep connections we share with the earth.
The host of the festival is the Nilgiris Foundation (TNF), an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting sustainable practices, conservation, and grassroots education. With over three decades of experience, their collaboration with the Keystone Foundation has helped turn this festival into a meaningful platform to discuss urgent issues like climate change, food sovereignty, and sustainable agriculture. Now with TNEF, they brings together a rich mix of food, music, cultural performances, and storytelling in an intimate conversation between humanity and nature.
One of the festival’s main highlights is The Habba, an event you won’t want to miss. Hosted at the Keystone Foundation in Kotagiri, the day promises vibrant stalls filled with indigenous produce, artisanal crafts, and soulful music and dance performances. Sparking a discourse are the thought-provoking conversations featuring notable speakers like C.K. Ganguly, Arshiya Bose, and G. Sundarrajan, who will dive into themes of climate activism, biodiversity, and sustainable food practices. To cap it all off, the festival’s chief guest, author and philanthropist Rohini Nilekani, will present the prestigious Nilgiris Earth Award, along with a screening of Nilgiris: A Shared Wilderness, a visually stunning film by Sandesh Kadur that captures the essence and challenges of this treasured landscape. Rohini and Sandesh will share the behind-the-scenes magic of the film and discuss its poignant message.
The festival also invites you to explore food in its most authentic and rooted forms. 'Forgotten Greens & Heritage Grains', hosted by Devi Lakshmikutty and Shruti Tharayil, takes you on a delicious journey into India’s traditional farming and foraging practices. For those craving something truly special, the 'Paruva' experience in Kotagiri features a Badaga-inspired tasting menu paired with a rare cultural performance. Meanwhile, tea lovers can indulge in artisanal Nilgiri teas alongside a curated high tea experience at 'Tranquilitea'.
Walks like 'Native Horizons' with Vasanth Bosco take you through nurseries filled with rare native plants, showing just how much conservation matters in a region so rich in biodiversity. If you’re up for an immersive experience, the 'Farm-to-Fork Sojourn' at Kikui Farms promises wood-fired meals, farm-fresh produce, and tales of life in the hills. There’s even a serene haiku walk at Lovedale, where the poetic art meets the shola grasslands, guided by the calm presence of Shobhana Kumar.
The Nilgiris Earth Festival is driven by its sense of community and purpose. It’s a gathering of people who care—artists, farmers, conservationists, and curious minds—coming together to celebrate, share, and inspire change. With global challenges like climate change looming, the festival becomes a small yet significant shift, urging us to rethink how we live, eat, and coexist with nature. It aims to do so by showing us up close what we're trying to protect; by celebrating the wild, the local, and the beautiful.
Get your tickets here.
