Greeted by the cloudy drizzle, I wished for clear skies when I entered Keanna Village Home in Nathuakhan. Nestled in a quiet hamlet of Uttarakhand, my initial thoughts of the homestay were warm and cosy.

In the next two days, my conversations with Devika Aunty, who owns and lives in the compact property, made me realise how this was more than just another homestay. I grew in love with the quaint and cheerful decor, with the comfortable silence and the good night’s sleep. And even though, the temperatures outdoor were chilly, Keanna was the perfect place for me to sip my tea, read my book and keep warm. The rooms are intricately done and it reflects the care it shelters.

The food is hot, homely and I enjoyed getting introduced to the local Kumaoni cuisine. Devika Aunty loves to cook and share stories of how she was acquainted with her favourite delicacies. Moving from a city, she told me about the way the inhabitants have shared and introduced her to recipes and practices that are quintessential to the land. The fresh produce and the local flavours always make the food curious and hence more attractive.

Keanna is surrounded by hiking trails and I made way through a couple of them. Walking through the wet pathway, I came across a number of people who were kind and always invited me home for tea. Unfortunately, there is only so much tea I could take in!

There is not much to do here. It’s about getting lost in the green landscapes, walking through unknown trails, listening to Devika Aunty’s interesting expriences and spending time in silence and sun. Because being idle doesn’t naturally and doing nothing doesn’t always feel as rejuvenating.

Good to know

– Keanna is a homestay. It is very delicately taken care of and respecting house rules is mandatory.
– Devika Aunty has been training the women of the village in various skills like knitting and teaching English. If you’re looking to buy winterwear, you can consider purchasing them from here at affordable prices. It will be an encouragement for the local women.

Note: I had won my stay at Keanna Village Home in a Saffronstays‘ Twitter contest.

Amrita Das

I have been a travel and culture independent journalist. My bylines have appeared in many publications worldwide including National Geographic Traveller India, Lonely Planet Magazine India, The Indian Express and World Travel Magazine. A fellow of Media Ambassadors India-Germany 2019 program by Robert Bosch Stiftung and Centre for Media Competence, University of Tübingen. Currently, I am the photo editor for RoundGlass Sustain, a wildlife and conservation e-publication. I live in India.

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