I watch her toil away in the organic garden, they stand and walk with a stately aura among themselves. The lilt in their voice when they speak to each other is of a gentle calmness. Their presence in the garden makes them almost a part of it.
It is I who is the stranger in their midst. Their workplace is tendered with loving care. It’s been over a year that I have seen the garden grow. The ground tilled to form the narrow gullies amongst the plots for the water to flow through. A tiny pile of mud pulled back or forth with a spade to control the water to each tiny area of the garden.
The seasons from the bitter cold to the falling rain and through the intense heat, through it all the garden awakens to a new dawn. A day that’s seen the flowers bloom and the butterflies and bees given free reign. The flitter about from the beautiful jezebel to the damsel fly. The dragonflies come through their migrational path on their way from Africa, several generations later. One smiles at the thought that this beautiful garden is one of the many pit stops for them all on their long journeys.
Whilst a grey hornbill nonchalantly hops about trying to grab a tomato off the vine and gulp it down whole. To the black hooded oriole searching for bugs, and the sunbirds hovering gently over the flowers. A whole natural world of pollination happening here amidst the mesmerizing continuous chirping of the birds.
Whilst someone said that man is nature’s worst enemy, there are the chosen few who knowingly or unknowingly toil away to make it a beautiful place.
My travels have been many, and never have I felt so much at peace as here in this temporary office, at the organic farm in Kings Lodge in Bandhavgarh. And as I sit watch them work through the corner of my eye and their giggles of wonder at my incessant attempts to photograph the many birds and insects on the property, it forces me to wonder about their lives and their journeys to make the jungle our home.
These two ladies in particular tell the story of many of the women in these parts of the country, or in many of the farming world. The chores of the house have to be done, the pujas done, the cooking of the meal and then they show up at the farms or the garden. The toiling begins and the weather plays no good a friend to them. The dangers that lurk in the undergrowth, for their tired minds and bodies; are at times not paying attention to the snake searching for the many frogs in the monsoons, or unsuspecting birds amongst the flowers or in the paddy fields.
Clad in green or earthy colours they are a simple folk who do not hesitate to show you their world, and with amusement while you get your hands dirty learning to pull fully grown radish from the ground. Their simple lives are a lesson in many ways. They give in a way most probably many would not understand. I admire their resilience and ponder about those that have and do nothing, thinking that the world is theirs for the asking.
Written by: Michael Swamy, Chef | Food Media Specialist | Wildlife Photographer | Traveller | Film Producer Author and 3 Time Gourmand Award winner
Kings Lodge Bandhavgarh is a wildlife eco-lodge nestled in a large natural forested estate of 14 hectares in Rancha village. At a 10-minute drive from the Tala gate of the national park, the lodge is ensconced amidst 2 Sal forested hills of Bandhavgarh National Park. The Lodge enjoys unparalleled woodlands and wilderness amongst well-appointed surroundings. The Kings Lodge is in the heart of the wild country and 95% of our land is forested. No trees were felled during the construction of our lodge. Our guests benefit from our incredible location, outstanding hospitality, in-house naturalist team, and commitment to conservation and local communities.
Kings Lodge, Bandhavgarh has 10 cottage rooms and 8 stilt cottage rooms with en-suite modern bathrooms. It is spread across a natural forest offering great ambiance and solitude. It is strategically located to access all gates of the park swiftly yet far enough to ensure a great wilderness and a discerning experience.
For the ones who seek more adventure, Tree House Hideaway – On and among the trees in our five tree houses there is a route to hide away from fantasies. In the 21 acres area of forest rests an option of experiencing the snug life inside the rooms or venturing out in the tiger-infested wild. The property has its resident species of birds, reptiles, and animals residing around the forest trees, and over time the area has now become a small secure park for them. You can spend your time unseen and undisturbed in the intimacy of your room or choose to go looking for wild animals & birds in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
Visit our lodges in Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Satpura, and Panna to watch various fascinating species of the forests frolic in the untamed wild. Get in touch with our trip curators at Pugdundee Safaris to book your next wildlife holiday.
Phone: +91-011-40132680 Email: [email protected]
