“This is a wonderful place to reconnect with your inner self,” was one of the first things Alka Shesha, the founder of Avabodha Homestay, told me when we began discussing her brainchild.

Nestled amidst the serene hills of Panchgani and overlooking the majestic Krishna river, the homestay exudes tranquillity. However, what truly distinguishes it is the deeply ingrained commitment to sustainability and reverence for nature exhibited by both the homestay and its hosts.

“When I bought this land, traditionally, there is a puja that is supposed to be done before starting the construction. However, we decided to honour nature instead and vowed to maintain it just as it is,” Alka tells The Better India.

Co-founded by Alka and her daughter Prachi Chaphekar, the branding at the property is managed by Prachi, while Alka oversees operations and other duties. “She is the body and soul of Avabodha while I am the heart,” says Prachi.

The dream of a lifetime

Before establishing the homestay, Alka devoted decades of her life to the social sector. She saved up during this time to transform her passion for helping others find themselves into a reality. “I always nurtured a dream of opening my own space where people could come, relax, and find peace,” she shares.

An ardent traveller, Alka found the perfect companion in her daughter, Prachi. “While I loved travelling, my husband held the opposite view. So, most of the time, it was just Prachi and me,” she reminisces.

Together, the mother-daughter duo explored the world extensively. “One thing I always made sure of while travelling was to stay in homestays. I’m the kind of person who loves to immerse myself in the local culture, and staying in homestays is one of the best ways to truly understand a place,” Alka explains.

In 2010, she finally decided to start working on building her homestay ‘Avabodha’ — the Sanskrit word Avabodha means ‘awakening’. “I travelled across the country from Uttarakhand to Himachal to find the perfect piece of land, while it was right here in Panchgani all along!” she says.

Prachi went to a boarding school in Panchgani and had always been in love with the hill station. So when Alka was looking at places, she looked for land in Panchgani too. “Whenever I went to visit her, we would explore the place. I would even........

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