Are you living the big urban dream - fast cars on slower roads, designer dresses on unhealthy bodies, higher salaries and lower self-esteem, rise in meditation classes and diminishing mental peace? In the zest to accomplish too much in too less a time, and fulfil our worldly desires are we losing something?

The uber-fast pace of life has led to the rise of holidaying in India. But why would you get out of one daily schedule and get into another one whilst on a holiday. Why wake up at 7 am and run from one place to another, sightseeing? Wouldn’t you rather want your holiday to be something that puts a hand brake on your daily madness, and forces you to step down your life’s pace by a notch?

A nature’s gateway could prove to be the perfect escape from all the urban madness. Sometimes slowing down your daily pace turns out to be the best form of rejuvenation. Farm holidays pack all the goodness of mother earth, with blissful surroundings, gorgeous organic foods and an array of activities to entice your mind. And this trend is catching up fast in India.

1. Nature’s food basket

When was the last time you actually grew something and used that in your day-to-day cooking? Container-grown mint, baby tomatoes and coriander are not on the list. Farm holidays can be a true eye opener for us city folks, who, for the better part of their life are oblivious to how vegetables are grown. The kids are always enthralled with the fact that they get to hand pick their favourite fresh fruits and veggies. Enjoy a truly fresh salad bowl with even fresher herbs as compared to the calorie heavy salad, and even heavier salad dressing options you are used to in the city.

2. Activities galore

The choice here is totally yours. You could choose to take an early morning bike ride along the length of the farm or take a stroll under the beautiful plantation. (You also have the option to be completely lazy and relax, you don’t have to impress anyone here). The crisp and fresh morning weather of the farm is just perfect for those of you who wish to indulge in a spot of meditation or perhaps yoga. The farm animals will be prove to be a highlight for animal lovers. Enjoy horseback rides or experience cattle grazing. Most farms would give you an insight into the industry of animal husbandry. Who knows, you might just make your post retirement plans.

3. Hobby-fy your break

Farm holidays are a great way to indulge in your hobbies and most of us end up discovering new ones. Most of these farms have hands-on sessions, which introduce you to the local arts and handicrafts. From the art of making pots to hand painting them, farms will introduce you to your finer self.

4. The earthen pot recipes

Image Source: the-shooting-star.com

Piping hot curries, simmering on burning coal and a whip of fresh-cold air are good enough to rejuvenate your senses. Food cooked on earthen stoves and clay pots will help you work an appetite like never before. Sumptuous meals made from ingredients freshly grown on the farm will make you forget the fast foods of the city. Say goodbye to the bad food issues such as heartburn and indigestion. We think your gut will be thankful for your farm break.

5. The non-gadget experience

Image Sporce: Flickr @Marian_Stanton

Most farms are situated in locations which will leave you fighting for cell phone reception. Some of us will start showing withdrawal symptoms as Facebook won’t be available for those unwanted updates. Even if you are lucky enough to get a reception, your 3G will start acting up. You would honestly feel like you are in a cell phone rehab.

6. Epitome of relaxation

Image Source: Flickr @Sandor-Weisz

Your first night at the farm will almost be a shock to the senses as you will find yours ears ringing due to well – no sound! Strange as it may sound, you will slowly begin to notice the beautiful rhymes nature sings to us. The chirping of the morning birds, the whistling of the trees in the evening wind, will add such solace to your life. The otherwise mundane and shrill noises of the city will be a distant memory. For book lovers, no setting is better than this to sit with a good book for hours on end and truly savour the moment.

7. Quality time with your family

Image Source: Flickr @Vijay-Krishna

Most holidays to other cities or international destinations tend to be so time consuming and you want to make the most of the destination you are visiting. But farm holidays are just the opposite. They are all about slowing down and taking time off from all schedules per se. You can drift at your own pace and spend your day as per your whim and fancy. You will notice that you will be left with so much time that you will fall short of activities. It’s a great occasion to spend quality time with your kids and give them your hundred percent (i.e. if they find time for you from all the new play activities they have been introduced to). Farm holidays are great to bring the whole family together and celebrate the harmony .You can bring along people of all ages as everyone is bound to find something that suits their taste and pace of life.

Various farms across India are opening up to this idea of letting out the facility to their visitors. Be it participating in sowing, harvesting, and milking the animals to cheese-making, they would love a hand with their chores. To facilitate your search, we have produced a short list of, few of the many, farms available for a stay in India:

Acres Wild – Cheesemaking Farmstay, Coonoor, Tamil Nadu
Green Acres - Organic Farming and Tent Camping, Hyderabad, Andra Pradesh
Narendra’s Organic Farmstay, Coorg, Karnataka
Tathagata Farms, Darjeeling
Prakriti Farms, Chandigarh, Punjab

Given such great benefits, the trend is now shifting on holidays which provide a true unwinding experience and is a family outing in its real sense. What say you?

Ruta Ahirkar

An avid traveler and a true foodie, Ruta loves to add a bit of twist to the travelers tale.Having traveled extensively across Europe and Asia, she is always on the lookout for her next adventure.She has her take on everything that appeals to the eyes, tingles the senses and entices the heart.

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