In search of the most effective homestays in Kanyakumari? Rajchandar Padmanaban and his spouse, Naga Jeyalakshmi, constructed Muthunandhini Palace as a heritage dwelling the place sustainability meets Tamil Nadu’s conventional structure.
Sitting amidst the gorgeous hills in Pothayadi village close to Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, is a house that was as soon as a pair’s dream. An ideal mixture of Tamil, Venad, and Chettinad cultures and types, the place, referred to as Muthunandhini Palace, is the love baby of Rajchandar Padmanaban (35) and his spouse, Naga Jeyalakshmi.
Stuffed with historical artefacts and antiques from Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Madurai, and Karaikudi, the house stands as a testomony to the wealthy cultures of the world. The couple determined to share their treasure of a house with others by changing it right into a homestay.
“While you go to the homestay, you’ll be able to anticipate serenity, tradition, and heritage. The character surrounding us will fill you with a way of peace, and our genuine meals will nourish your soul,” says Rajchandar in a dialog with The Higher India.
The homestay is not only a marvel of tradition but in addition an ideal instance of sustainability. From composting their waste to implementing measures to recharge groundwater, the mud homestay is elevating the bar for nature-friendly journey.
Inspiration from grandmother’s dwelling
Born and raised in Kanyakumari, Rajchandar is a geo-data scientist who has spent the vast majority of his life round environmentalists.
“Spending a lot time round them, I needed to make my dwelling as aligned with nature as potential. I had at all times been involved concerning the degradation of the environment and didn’t need to contribute to it,” he shares.
Rajchandar fondly recollects his grandmother’s dwelling, surrounded by greenery.
“Visits to her dwelling had been my favorite half. At the moment, I used to be unaware of how her deeply conventional and nature-friendly dwelling would sooner or later grow to be an inspiration for my dream dwelling too,” he says.
“Her dwelling was quite simple with minimal use of cement and really conventional in design,” he says.
Whereas residing within the metropolis, he longed for a extra secluded place surrounded by nature.
“Once I first noticed the village and the piece of land which now holds my dwelling, it was like love at first sight. I might envision the way forward for the place and therefore selected to purchase the land,” he says.
Rajchandar continues, “There’s a very fascinating story that goes round concerning the hills surrounding the world. It’s stated that when Lord Hanuman lifted the Dronagiri Parvat to take it to Lord Lakshman, a chunk of it broke off and fell right here. Therefore, these hills have lots of medicinal vegetation rising round.”
The couple didn’t need to disturb the biodiversity of the world and determined to construct a house that blends into nature as a substitute.
In 2021, they began to work on their dream dwelling and opened their doorways to the friends in 2022. “Since we determined to share our area with friends, we’ve hosted greater than 200 friends up to now,” he informs.
Made with some mud and many love!
The homestay is a mixture of totally different architectures, combining a mix of Tamil, Venad, and Chettinad types that showcase the wealthy cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu.
“I’m personally a collector and love gathering artefacts from the world. I had been gathering lots of artwork items and determined to show them within the dwelling. A few of these items are greater than 100 years previous,” he says.
One factor that Rajchandar was clear about from the start is that he needed to make use of pure supplies to construct the house.
“We didn’t simply need to have sustainable practices. We needed to make the very roots of our dwelling eco-friendly. We used eco-bricks manufactured from limestone and crimson clay for the partitions,” he says.
Itemizing all of the pure supplies that he used, Rajchandar says, “Moreover eco-bricks, we additionally used Athangudi Tiles. These tiles are made up of sand discovered close to Athangudi River which is way more sustainable than regular tiles.”
For the ceiling, the scientist used a method referred to as filler slab approach to minimise the usage of concrete. In line with Studio DCode, “Filler slab is an alternate slab building know-how the place a part of concrete within the backside of the slab is changed by filler materials.” The roofs even have clay tiles on the roofs too.
“We used crimson soil, lime, cow dung, rice nightfall, egg and jaggery to make a paste for building,” he shares.
Moreover, the homestay options rainwater harvesting, and they’re within the means of putting in photo voltaic panels to harness the solar.
“We additionally make compost out of our kitchen waste, which is then utilized in our backyard. We develop all our vegetation and meals organically so our friends can get pleasure from recent meals each day.”
The place boasts 5 bedrooms, 3 balconies, and three residing areas for friends to get pleasure from. “Whereas the homestay is shared by us with the friends, we additionally prioritise their privateness.”
Rajchandar highlights, “A novel characteristic of the property is its pure coolness whatever the climate outdoors. With 50 upcycled home windows which can be over 100 years previous, loads of air circulates inside. Moreover, for the reason that home is manufactured from mud and clay, it stays naturally cool all year long.”
One frequent suggestions he receives from friends is how his dwelling appears like their very own.
One of many prospects, Gavin, who stayed on the property, says, “The place actually appears like dwelling. Dwelling at their place with all of the beautiful structure depicting our Tamil tradition was an expertise of a lifetime. It’s enormous in measurement with a number of areas to loosen up however the uniqueness was within the small particulars like the best way they handled us. The meals, their accommodating behaviour made our keep very pleasurable.”
Discussing future plans, Rajchandar says, “We actually need to develop the property as many individuals need to keep, however we are sometimes totally booked. We additionally goal to include extra sustainable measures like photo voltaic power into the present homestay.”
You possibly can e-book your keep at this Rajchandar’s homestay by reaching them at 9360946642
(Edited by Padmashree Pande; All Footage Credit score: Rajchandar)
