The latest luxury unit by Meena Bagh Homes, Doghri sits bang in the middle of an organic permaculture farm in Ratnari, away from the maddening crowds of Shimla.
In the local Pahari culture of Himachal Pradesh, doghri is a second home, a farmstead closer to the lush green farms and away from the daily bustle, where the life is slow and simple. Built around and named after the same concept, is the latest luxury venture by Meena Bagh Homes.
Back in 2017, owner Sanjay Austa repossessed his old abandoned orchard house in the quaint village of Ratnari, a three-hour drive from Shimla, and built the bungalow at Meena Bagh Ratnari around its ancient mud and stone walls. Another one of his eco-homes, Meena Bagh Shimla, stands tall in the main town with three individual units. Both the properties have stayed true to responsible tourism, right from their architecture to conceptualisation and services.
Their latest addition, Doghri sits in the heart of an organic permaculture farm, a few steps away the Ratnari bungalow. ‘A second home’ as it is lovingly referred to by Austa and his team, it was constructed using the recycled deodar wood sourced from an old British building, which, for years, served as a girl’s college in Shimla. Local hill wisdom and old Himachali techniques were put to use to built the cottage, where the balustrade was made using just a groove — no nails, no screws — making the house completely detachable!
The newly-minted, eco-conscious unit has two independent rooms with a common living space and their private Daafi, or Himachali-style sit-outs. The bathrooms are heated, have stunning brass fittings, along a standalone bathtub with breathtaking mountain views. Suitable for two couples or a small family of six, the wooden cottage has insulation against cold, provisions for water harvesting, and local hill aesthetics.
Doghri also has a traditional Pahari slate roof with skylights, and is perfect for discerning travellers looking for a peaceful time to kick back in the hills. But if you wish for some pleasant company, the pet-friendly cottage is surrounded by an orchard which is home to six farm animals — cats, a Pahari dog, two sheep, a brood of chicken, a flock of ducks, and Angora rabbits.
At a glance
Address: 6GHQ+V7V, Ratnari, Himachal Pradesh, 171225 | Rooms & Suites: 2 | Restaurants & Bars: All meals are available on a la carte basis | Tariff: INR29,800 per night for four adults |Contact: +91-8091232988 | Website: meenabaghhomes.com/dogri
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