Maachli Farmstay: Exotic eco-huts near Bhogwe beach on Konkan coast of Maharashtra - connecting human with nature

6/5/2018

Maachli boutique stay near Bhogwe beach on Konkan coast is an exotic idea for a weekend getaway from Mumbai and Pune, for a unique travel experience in Maharashtra. While the entire coast offers serene beach views, the beaches towards the southern Konkan region are more secluded. Bhogwe beach in Vengurla is amongst the most pristine and prettiest beaches on the Konkan coast of Maharashtra. A stay in the eco-cottages of Maachli homestay in Parule village near Bhogwe beach offers one of the best experiences of living in a traditional Konkan village. I instantly fell in love with the beautifully designed exotic huts amidst the lush green plantations at Maachli farmstay. My trip to Maachli has been the best travel experience in Maharashtra as I could soak into the local culture of Konkani people and connect with nature in the tropical paradise on the shores of untouched beaches.

Maachli: farmstay at konkan village, Maharashtra

Maachli - local farmer’s hut in Malvan region

The Malvani word Maachli means a traditional hut made by farmers to keep an eye on their farm. The tall cottages at Maachli homestay are designed on a raised platform to look like the traditional huts, covered with dried coconut leaves. With the passion for preserving the local culture, Mr. Pravin Samant, a native of village Parule, built eco-friendly cottages reflecting indigenous Konkani architecture in his farm. Maachli huts are designed with innovative cross ventilation which lets in the fresh air from the cool surroundings. These exotic huts are furnished with a luxurious bed and minimal amenities displaying local culture. I was quite impressed with the reusable articles detailing the eco-friendly cottages. The simplicity of the hut-style accommodation, the luxury of spacious cottages and the cool ambience of the thick plantation was exactly what I needed for a break from the hustles of Mumbai life!

Maachli: boutique huts at Bhogwe beach, Maharashtra

Bedroom in Maachli cottages at Bhogwe beach, Maharashtra

Ecofriendly Bathroom in Maachli cottages at Bhogwe beach - Maharashtra

Boutique homestay in dense tropical plantations

Maachli cottages are built amidst dense tropical plantations. The tall trees of coconut, mango and betel nut cover up the entire area. Thick plantations of banana, spices and medicinal herbs spread a sensational aroma in the air. The plantations and a wide stream flowing through it keeps the ambience of the farm quite cooler than the outside, giving a pleasant outdoor experience in all weathers.

Plantations & stream at Maachli farmstay - Bhogwe beach, Maharashtra

Home-cooked organic meals at Maachli homestay

When the lady of the family takes the charge of the kitchen, there’s no compromise on the taste of the food which is undoubtedly cooked with love. Mrs. Priya Samant brings the forgotten recipes of ethnic Malvani cuisine on the table at Maachli. And what better than enjoying a delicious meal that spreads the aroma of absolute freshness! The natural diet is cooked on a mud-stove and fire-wood using organic vegetables and grains grown in the village, flavoured with homegrown spices and served in earthen pots.
The Samant family went all the way to make me feel at home by involving me in their daily lifestyle, giving me a lovely homestay experience!

Home-cooked organic meals at Maachli homestay - Farm to table food

Traditional Malvani Saraswat cuisine of Konkan Region

Maachli helps revive the regional culture by promoting traditional Malvani Saraswat cuisine on their meals menu. The most favourite traditional Malvani delicacies include:
Valichi Bhaji: Beans tossed in coconut oil with mustard tempering and grated coconut.
Mustard Leaf Sabji: green mustard leaves and a bit of black peas cooked with scraped coconut.
Colocasia(aravi leaves): Colocasia leaves boiled and cooked to perfection with tempering of garlic and mustard seed in coconut oil. Green chillies along with tamarind and jackfruit seeds, peanuts, corns are used for additional taste.
Amaranth (Lal math): Amaranth leaves cooked with garlic and mustard seeds tempering, garnished with scrapped coconut.
Usal: the typical Maharashtrian preparation of sprouts (moong, chavali, peas and Kulith).
Mango raita: pulp of country side local mangoes and paste of coconut with red chilly powder and mustard seeds mixed together and sweetened by jaggery.

Traditional Malvani Saraswat cuisine of Konkan Region - at Maachli homestay

Ecofriendly activities / Things to do at Maachli farmstay

Maachli farmstay caters to a niche crowd of travellers who intend to spend time with nature and cherish the simple village life. The son of the Samant family, Prathamesh is a nature enthusiast himself. He passionately talks about the ecosystem and natural wealth of the area and helps plan activities in and around Maachli. My stay at Maachli allowed me ample time to indulge in the surrounding natural beauties.

Plantation tour at Maachli farmstay

In-house plantation tour

The hosts passionately introduced me to the in-house plantations of tropical fruits, spices and herbs which they use in their daily-life purposes including cooking.
Apart from the regular spice plantations like nutmeg, pepper, clove and cinnamon, I learnt about some interesting indigenous medicinal plants at Maachli farmstay:
Black Umbar: its berrylike fruits used in the medicines to cure skin disease.
Shatawari: a medicine for nursing mothers to improve the nutritional value of breast milk.
Sarpagandha(rauwolfia serpentina): used as tranquilizer or anti depressant for blood pressure and Schizophrenia .
Satwin Tree( Alstonia scholaris): juice of the scrapped bark used for digestion. In ancient India the leaf of this tree was offered to the distinguished scholar by the Guru. Thats where the name Scholaris comes from.

Tropical fruits at Maachli farmstay

Medicinal plants at Maachli farmstay.

Learning pottery from the last active potter in the village

Learning pottery from the last surviving potter in the village: A pottery village that it used to be, has only last active potter who still makes the earthen pots and idols, while the others were forced to change their profession due to declining demand. The owners of Maachli support this potter by buying earthen cookware for their homestay and taking guests for a hands-on pottery experience in the village.

Learning & buying Pottery in Parule village, Konkan coast, Maharashtra

Learning traditional cooking from the host

The kitchen at Maachli is setup in traditional style and guests are welcome to learn the ethnic way of cooking Malvani food on a mud-stove using earthen cookware.

Traditional mud-stove (chool) in konkani kitchen at Maachli farmstay

Birding

The dense plantations, flowing stream and surrounding jungles make an amazing ecosystem to attract variety of birds in the farmstay. Observing nature and birds can be done right from the seating area of the cottages.

Birding at Maachli farmstay

Birding at Maachli farmstay, Malvan

Reading / Writing in the lap of nature

The private spaces amidst the plantations makes lovely ambience for activities requiring solitude and creativity. My favourite activity is to do nothing and just observe nature, observe life in all forms.

Indulgence with nature at Maachli farmstay

Sunset hike to Kille Nivati beach & Khavane beach

A hike through the village and jungles takes to a serene sunset view on the cliff beach of Kille Nivati fort and the white sands of Khavane beach.

Sunset hike to Kille Nivati beach, Konkan coast, Maharashtra.

Traditonal fishing boat at Khavane beach, Konkan coast, Maharashtra

Morning walk at Bhogwe beach

Bhogwe beach is the major attraction near Maachli, as it is one of the most tranquil beaches on the Konkan coast, with just the white sand and clear water, ideal for a morning stroll on the beach. Tarkali beach across Bhogwe offers basic scuba diving experience with corals in decent visibility.

Morning walk at the serene Bhogwe beach, Konkan coast, Maharashtra

Village walk to get a glimpse of local culture and lifestyle

If I visit a new region, I always prefer walking around the streets and interact with locals to get a glimpse into their lifestyle. It helps me understand the cultural influences on the people of the region.

Traditional Malvani house in Parule village, Maharashtra

Local fish market - Parule village, Vengurla, Maharashtra

Local konkani people decorating rooster for a festival in Vengurla, Maharashtra

Maachli - an inspirational model for Responsible & Sustainable Tourism

The most striking point about the eco-friendly environment at Maachli is the minimal usage of plastic on the entire farm. They have extensively used the local material for cottages and all the amenities. The owners have taken utmost care about not harming any tree in building up this place.
Maachli contributes towards the upliftment of local communities by providing employment to locals at the farms and employing local women for serving guests at the farmstay.
Maachli helps add income to the local economy by procuring local food and other items directly from the villagers.
Maachli happily and proudly serves as an inspirational model for entrepreneurs and students aiming at responsible tourism & sustainable living.

Women empowerment & upliftment of local communities at Maachli farmstay, Parule Village, Maharashtra

Best time to visit Maachli homestay and Bhogwe beach

Maachli farmstay can be an ideal monsoon getaway in Maharashtra, as the plantations radiate myriads of green hues and the stream runs in full flow. Monsoon adds to the diversity of the place by bringing in special species of birds and wild vegetables.
The beaches are definitely more pleasant in the winters.
However, I would recommend a visit to Maachli even in the summers, as it is the only outdoor destination which can give some respite from the heat, owing to its thick plantations and forest cover in the vicinity. The farm fresh food feels so light on the stomach in the summers!

Watch this lovely video compiled by the hosts at Maachli homestay.

How to reach Maachli farmstay from Mumbai/Goa

Maachli farmstay is located in a remote village - Parule, in the Vengurla region of Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra.

The nearest airport is at Dabolim in Goa, just 2 hours drive away from the resort.
A train journey from Mumbai/Pune to Kudal is the most convenient approach to Maachli. Autorickshaws are easily available for a 30km ride from Kudal to Maachli. The hosts help you arrange a pickup from the railway station.
A road trip to Bhogwe beach by car sounds like a plan!
Buses from Mumbai and Pune are easily available to Malvan (20km away rom Maachli).

A hidden getaway to Maachli is a charming alternative to Goa, to beat the crowd. I was surprised to discover that Maachli is a favourite weekend destination for the Goans, at a quick 2 hours drive from Goa.

P.S. I was hosted by Maachli.

Contact the hosts for booking & queries:
Prathamesh Samant : +91 9637333284 (Whatsapp inquiry), +91 8605556937.
Pravin Samant: +91 9423879865 (Whatsapp inquiry), +91 9405925260.

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