Shenbaga Vilasam, A Heritage Homestay

I was so excited to visit Shenbaga Vilasam in Samathur which is a small village near Pollachi in Coimbatore district.I had heard so much about thisn property and i absolutely love properties which have maintained the age old structure and heritage.This property was built in 1900s India and gives you an bygone era vibe.As soon as i entered the property,I was transferred back to the days of the Zamindar Raj.It is a family home which has been convereted into a resort and it gave me a slice of rural life.I love every opportunity to connect with mother nature,this property gave me that opportunity and much more.

It was love at first sight for me and I absolutely loved the aathangudi tiles used in the living room.The decor of the house was obviously very antique,it was done up with brown wood and antiques and memorabilia which had been passed down through many generations.I absolutely loved going through all the old photographs in black and white,it made me wonder about a different era and how life would have been.The pictures also gave me a glimpse into the life of erstwhile Vanavarayars who were the Zamindars who ruled Samathur for over 700 years.If i am given a choice to go back in time or go to the future,i rather go back in time and visiting heritage properties always give me that opportunity.My room was huge and beautifully decorated with a Huge Tanjore painting.

I checked in around noon and was welcomed by a glass of chilling coconut water followed by a super yummy spread of South Indian vegetarian for lunch.There was traditional lime rice,carrot poriyal(a southy indian sabzi style dish),sambhar,rasam(similar to soup) and many other dishes,the food was extremely fresh and authentic.I walked around the house after lunch and noticed the beautiful architecture of the courtyard and verandahs.I walked to the farm which is besides the house,I spent some time playing with the calf.They were taken care of and treated very well.

The next early morning,I went for a bullock cart ride to see exotic birds.The bulls are treated very well and taken care off  but I understand that riding bullock carts is a sensitive issue but I had not read any animal rights groups protesting against it and as i mentioned,I thought it was okay since I saw that the bulls were taken care off well by the people taking care of the home stay. it was offered to me as a part of their itinerary and my host told me that riding a bullock cart is a part of their culture and tradition.If you love bird watching,this is a wonderful experience.

I was welcomed back home from the bullock card ride with a scrumptious south Indian breakfast.The caretakers pampered me and I could constantly hear the sounds of the birds.Being spoilt in the lap of mother nature in a heritage farmstay sounds so dreamy right now,I wish I could be transported there right now.