Svanir Wilderness Homestay, Bhubaneswar

Svanir is an eco-friendly boutique homestay hiding in plain sight in a quieter part of Bhubaneswar. Four Independent cottages mimic tribal village architecture with simple designs on the outside walls but hides an unexpectedly spacious interior and provide for an ideal getaway for the weary traveller. The space Svanir is located right next to the green belt of Chandaka Dampara Sanctuary. With only 4 cottages (constructed with fly ash bricks procured from nearby keeping the carbon footprint to a minimum) and temporarily roofing, we have made a conscious effort to keep the built-up area to a minimum. For friends visiting us, we offer a chance to reconnect with nature. With minimum light pollution, the night sky is perfect for stargazing. The absence of chemical pesticides ensures the property is teeming with insects and birds in their natural habitat. We encourage guests to pluck their own vegetables from the fully organic vegetable patch. Guest access We encourage guests to find their own private corners - be it under tall trees, on the first floor (of the water tank) or in their individual verandah. A beautifully decorated common dining space is a perfect place for guests to interact, dine, relax or just to share travel stories with each other. Open throughout the day, the dining room has a well stocked fridge which is on the house for guests. During your stay Since we stay on the property ourselves, we are always available if you need us. Other things to note Highlights STAYING WITH A LOCAL FAMILY Our most memorable trips have been where we had the opportunity to stay with locals. Local are passionate about their city and often share insights which a cut and dry city guide might not be able to provide. When visiting a new city we often have apprehension about food, stay and what not to miss. It will be our pleasure to share with you our experiences and make your stay as comfortable as possible. FOOD The highlight your stay, we think, would be the wholesome breakfast and supper, made from the freshest ingredients that we will strive to procure for you from our kitchen garden or the nearest village market. At least one of the Mukherji family: GB, Soumya or Indrani would be at the table, supervising the kitchen help, often serving with care. The tariff includes breakfast (corn flakes or muesli with hot or cold milk, eggs and bread or a local Indian dish). Lunch & Dinner for those wishing to spend the day lounging around would also be available, on prior notice. PRISTINE ENVIRONMENT Since we are located near an Elephant Reserve, flanked by it’s boundary on one side, there is minimal habitation nearby. Stepping inside SvaNir you will escape the maddening crowd and feel closer to nature and it’s music. We are allergic to chemical pesticides and share our surrounding with myriad variety of insects, plants, trees and birds depending on the time of season. ** ROOM WITH BENEFITS Spacious rooms (240sq ft) with a sit-out verandah and king size bed mean that you don’t have to live out of your suitcase. Each air-conditioned room is simply but tastefully decorated to give you a feel of tribal life. Orthopedic mattress ensure you have a good night sleep. Ironing board and use of washing machine can also be availed on prior request. Why no showers in room ? We have taken active steps to minimize and recharge ground water table through rain water harvesting, drip irrigation as well as using kitchen & room basin water to irrigate plants. Using bucket water instead of shower is another step towards avoiding water crisis in the future. UNPLUG We’re so marinated in the culture of speed that we almost fail to notice the toll it is taking on every aspect of our lives – on our health, our diet, our work, our relationships, the environment and our community. And sometimes it takes a wake-up call, doesn’t it, to alert us to the fact that we’re hurrying through our lives, instead of actually living them; that we’re living the fast life, instead of the good life. Or maybe a relationship goes up in smoke because we haven’t had the time, or the patience, or the tranquility, to be with the other person, to listen to them. In that endeavour we have not kept the TV. Come to Svanir and find that lost key to your secret garden that has always remained hidden in your mind. ** Sometimes during local festivals, villagers who have an affinity towards loudspeakers play devotional music late into the night disturbing the animals as well as us 🙂