As passionate & energetic spokesperson for conservation of the depleting exotic flora of Munnar, Dr. Rajesh Madenan and his wife are driven to make their homestay a stimulating experience for guests. Their more than 75 acres estate, sprawls boundlessly behind the century old smoking house, which is still used to dry and process the cardamom from the plantations. With a plethora of tropical fruit trees as well as exclusive rainforest fauna and grasslands on top of the mountains, the region is a natural wonder.
Amidst the plush green vicinity of aged trees and extraordinary vegetation, the couple has built 4 cottages with 2 separate rooms each. All duplex rooms, with a seating area on top and the bedroom space at the bottom, emulate the slope of the mountain, on which the estate is present. Some rooms also have a small higher platform for meditation. The high roofed rooms are tastefully decorated in soft hues with large French windows which overlook the green patch outside each room. The thick stoned walls are perfect for insulation for extreme weather.
A thatched-roofed space near the main bungalow is used as a common area for meals, where guests can mingle and immerse in conversations with the family, varying from Al Gore documentaries to the ancient traditions of conserving trees in Indian households. Rajesh and Simi’s two young children playfully join in with guest for a cup of tea. Though the guests are encouraged to try the traditional Kerala delicacies on banana leaves, the ever-smiling staff is happy to dish out any kind of food that suits one’s palette.
About 10 kilometers away from the main town, Dr. Rajesh and Simi envision their home as a holistic retreat for naturo-therapy, yoga and a haven for conservation enthusiasts for a cathartic experience. If you well scheduled, one can catch the unusual blue “Neelakurinji” flowers which bloom once in twelve years or the sporadic rare butterfly migration phenomena in the winters.
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