And into the field I go to lose my mind and find my soul😊, so here we were on the roads driving to the Lohagarh farms. A stone throw away from the Millennium city Gurugram, this exemplary rustic set up is planned and designed in a pure desi style which promises to make you relive your childhood and look deep into your roots.
The single lane roads passing through the village Gairatpur bass acted as a precursor to the feeling of being in an authentic rural area. The green lush farms on either side of the road distanced us from the buzzing city life. Making our way through those dungeon roads was our destination of the weekend.
We were welcomed in a very traditional Indian style by the ushers dressed in local village attire with a Chandan tilak and the thumping sound of the dhols with a beautiful magnificent canon overlooking us. I felt touched by waves of nostalgia as if I maneuvered through my hometown the Pink City Jaipur.
The lobby has been designed as an old village hut. The muddy walls embellished with beautiful paintings, the Hookah, the Retro Television Set, the traditional Charpai, the antique Gramophone were eye catching.
Leaving early morning for the place was a reason enough to head for breakfast to satiate our starving bellies. We were served the typical village platter suiting the early winter mornings. The lovely aaloo puri and tempting pakodaas with piping hot ginger tea revived our numbed bones not to miss the delectable moong daal halwa. The best part was that menu was not very spicy so suitable for little kids too. Now we were set to explore the rest of the farm.
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Kids were super excited seeing the camel cart ride. Jumping on that wooden wain made us feel primitive but was a unique experience. A fun ride on the farm tractor and the wobbly bullock cart are also worth trying. We wished the ride track was a little more extended.
The other attractions were the long forgotten desi games – kancha golis, gilli danda and lattoos, the remotely used chakki and charkha which our kids were never exposed to before. The locals were helping enthusiastic women to dress in the local Haryanvi attire and apply the mehandi for memories.
The sawan jhoolas and the robust neem tree were flogged by age old charpais for the athithis to rest. No one present wanted to miss the opportunity to rest on those jute cots and bask in the sun, its warmth combating the chilly breeze.
The live Rasoi was the highlight where delectable makki and bajra rotis were being made by industrious village women and served along with sarson ka saag and ghee added with a large heart. Their smiling faces displayed the warmth of the hospitality of those women.
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We enjoyed soiling our hands on the traditional chaak making mitti ke bartan in the clay pottery section. The craftsmen doing wonders with the ordinary clay and creating souvenirs was nothing less than a magic. One advice if you really wish to carry them along visit the pottery section first. Your magical creations would be dry and ready by the time you explore other activities.
The kids showed skills dwelling water from a small well and driving the Jugaad as it is famously known as.
The camel back ride was the next attraction for kids. The majestic yet docile host didn’t mind posing for me.
There are plenty of fun activities like The Trampoline Jumper, Tug of War, Kite flying towards the Araam Ghar. Flying kite after so many years reminded of the happy and carefree childhood days. Infact something new for all of us as we hardly get to do these leisure activities when in city.
‘Khatron ke Khiladi’ the zone for adventure activities had a robust set up for Commando Crawl, Tarzan Swing, Burma Bridge, Commando Net Beam Balancing, Cat Walk, Double Rope Bridge to name a few. Archery and Shooting areas can also be explored.
After exploring their daredevil side guests can regain their spent energies at the Head Champi kiosk.
Feeling little peckish we decided to try the lunch menu which was being served till late afternoon and call it a day as the sun had begun to set and chilly wind made the place cold.
Overall a nice and a different experience with kids!!!
Tips:
1. Avoid during summer season as it is an open area.
2. Reach early to explore all the activities in the farm.
3. While driving from Delhi take Exit 10 on NH8 towards Sohna Road. If you just go by the GPS it may take you through narrow roads of Gairatpur bass village.
4. Ticket price
Hope you may find this helpful!!!!
Such a beautiful place makes me want to visit it …and very nicely described by you which makes it all the more interesting.
Thanks a ton Prashant for following my blog and your encouraging words !!! Its a good hangout place with family. Keep reading and exploring 🙂