Stay at these Heritage Homestays in Konkan and Experience the Culture

Over the past decade or so, the concept of a homestay has been gaining popularity throughout India. It literally means to 'stay' in someone's 'home'. Living in a homestay during your travels enables you to have a very enriching and immersive experience. These are mostly social and informal settings where interaction with your hosts and co-travellers plays a large role. Homestay operators host their spaces in many different ways, which makes each homestay experience unique and full of discovery. And the Konkan belt seems to have created some choice but true-to-the-sense homestays. Here are some heritage homestays in Konkan you must visit.

Rustic Holidays

Nestled in nature at Tural in Sangameshwar, Maharashtra, this 210-year-old wada (house) is just beautiful. With Rustic Holidays, Nitin and Shilpa Karkare have made this old ancestral property their permanent home. The stay facilities are modern and the cuisine is a reminder of your grandmother’s unique delicacies. You can enjoy chulhe (earthen stove) pe bana hua khaana, large playgrounds, a dip in the pond and so much more. You can also indulge in plucking mangoes, cashews and other fruits. At Rustic Holidays, you get to see 100s of species of birds and wild animals. The cottages, where you will stay in, are constructed from the mud of its land. These eco-friendly cottages are built in the typical style of Konkan and give you an earthen feeling while bringing you close to nature.

Their main motto behind starting Rustic Holidays has always been generating employment for the local people. All the facilities you experience at Rustic Holidays have been created using local labour from Tural, be the cook, casual labour, carpenters, masons, electricians, plumber and the list goes on. All the groceries, vegetables, milk products, building materials, and more are purchased from the local market. They also have food products such as Pickles, Murabbas, Papad, Masala Powders and so on for sale. These are made with the help of local women from the village. 

Where: Post Tural, Taluka Sangameshwar, District Ratnagiri

Atithi Parinay

Atithi Parinay Homestay was started by the mother-daughter duo, Medha and Vasudha Sahasrabudhe, in January 2010. The vision was to create a place where people could experience life on a farm. Atithi Parinay has been crafted keeping in mind the sanctity of the environment hence it has eco-friendly living and organic farming at its core.

They have a dedicated team running the homestay for preparing meals, providing local and logistical assistance, maintaining the farmlands and more. The food is typical of the Kokanastha Brahmin community. You can choose from AC and non-AC rooms, tents and cottages. Aare Ware Beach, a tranquil unspoilt beach, is just 5 km from the property. There are plenty of other beaches nearby like Neware, Bhandarpule, Ganapatipule and Malgund. Ratnadurga Fort, a horseshoe-shaped fort, is about 15 km away and spread across an area of about 120 acres.

Where: At post Kotawade, Kolagewadi, Near Mahalaxmi Mandir, Ratnagiri

Konkan Nest Resort

Dr. Nimkar's Konkan Nest Resort is a Konkani traditional-style resort, which is situated just 2 km away from the sacred and famous pilgrim and tourist spot, Ganpatipule. It is a place where nature meets traditional lifestyle and modern comfort. 

In tune with the environment, each Konkani-style architecture house has a view of its own and the stay here will refresh you. There are multiple wadas you can choose from. Each one is a house of bricks with a tiled roof, cow dung washed floor and a personal veranda. Find yourself surrounded by mango, jackfruit, and betel nut trees. They provide separate accommodation for drivers and It's free of cost.

Where: Post Bhagvatinagar - Ganpatipule, Towards Prachin Konkan Museum, Ratnagiri

Maachli

Maachli was created to debut an abundance of breeze, plants, fruits, natural fragrances and anything related to nature in your life. It is a hidden getaway and located in a very remote part of the village and also not to be found on any boards by the roadside. The weather is always pleasant as the cottage is surrounded by coconut and betel nut trees. Thick plantations and the stream that flows through the farm lead to the creation of a microclimate that is distinctly different from the climate outside the farm.

This spot delivers the experience of nature homestay which is a great platform to explore a regional culture and connect with the people of the village. Maachli means 'elevated huts' and the accommodations are true to the name. The cottages are based on minimalism and they serve delectable Saraswat cuisine to the guests. 

Where: Ishavasyam, Manjardewadi, Post-Parule, Taluka Vengurla, District Sindhudurg

KonkanTrip

This homestay near Harani Village in Dapoli is for all the folks who want to relax and rejuvenate. It’s a comfortable homestay that takes you away from the chaos of city life to let you retreat into the realm of nature. Konkani people are well known for their warm welcome gestures and hospitality towards their guests. KonkanTrip takes up hosting as a pleasure and the resort gives the cosy feel of home away from home.

They serve a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian coastal Konkani flavours and Maharashtrian food. The authentic coastal Konkan flavours are prepared with a lot of care, sourcing the freshest seafood caught each morning, the most local ingredients from the area and each meal makes a memory. All the rooms open up to the beach with a private balcony. The sea-facing rooms will surely help to destress you.

Where: 128/3 ,Harnai-Palande Road , Opposite to Hotel Sahil Inn, Palande Beach, Dapoli