Driven by the ardent love for trees, animals and birds, Sanket Kale was prompted to conceptualize a thematic resort across a sprawling space of 20 acres. He crafted a countryside experience for nature lovers, making Aranyagiri a unique offering that boasts of an aura that is innovatively designed as a rare getaway into ‘slow’ living. This resort personifies a seamless balance between the rustic, coupled with worldly comforts.
However, the most intriguing concept here is the ‘Adopt A Mango Tree’ campaign; which grew out of a time when labor on the farm took a break, forced by the lockdown during the outbreak of Covid. Friends of the family pitched in to pluck the fruit and Harvest became a unique celebration!! They decided that the guests plucking the fruit were the ones that deserved it, not the traders in the marketplace! The guests were honoured with becoming tree owners, making the experience truly indulgent!
Today this campaign has been extended to all mango lovers who would like to own a tree and name it too! It was an exciting moment to pose alongside the tree I adopted; knowing I would be getting its fruit along with an extended deal of a curated meal for two and a discount on my next stay!
Sanket’s parents coined the word Aranyagiri, amplifying the concept of ‘Aranya’, which means forest, and ‘Giri’, as the mountain that forms its backdrop. It is located in Shirur, just a few hours from Pune. This tranquil oasis is spread across 15 acres of primarily, Mango orchards. Other fruit trees such as coconut, pomegranate, papaya and banana, as the unique mix that form a significant part of the lush landscape. This wooded nature scape not just promises to pacify and heal, but brings about a rare positivity in anyone who chooses to indulge in this soothing green-scape!
A cool outdoor pool forms the cerulean blue centre-stage which is surrounded by interesting stay options such as red-roofed cottages, contemporized colorful ‘Wada’ style dwellings and some cool white panelled ‘Machaans’. Various indoor games and a natural netted turf, form a fun open space for group activities.
Aranyagiri is proof of its belief in ‘sustainability’ as it adopts organic farming processes, using manure from the goats on the farm and reutilizing food wastage, breeding natural beneficial bacteria and spraying Jaggery on their trees to encourage bee pollination and bountiful produce of fruit.
Aranyagiri serves a mix of varied Indie style fare ranging from Punjabi to Maharashtrian cuisine, curated as per the guest’s tastes, to deliver a personalized and indulgent service. It’s a rare treat when the barbeque crackles up in the evenings, serving some tandoor delicacies as appetizers before the inviting buffet dinner spread.
Sanket’s farming experience is seen consciously translated into a sensitive vision. His empathetic mission to cut the gap between the farmers and buyers sets a benchmark for generating a win-win situation for the two relevant benefactors. This calls for not just applause, but, actively passionate participation in the unique ‘Mango Adoption’ campaign.
Address: Opp. Dnyaneshwar mangal karyalaya, Arangaon Dumala, Belwandi Rd, near, Shirur, Maharashtra 413702
Contact: 8390876788
Website: https://www.aranyagiri.in/
