Vegetable Picking in Savi Farm in Kolar, Karnataka

This winter get a little bit of sunshine in Savi Farm of Garudapalya, Kolar! Add to that gallons of farm fresh air, cool visual delights of farm animals, peacocks, and deer. Also add some rock climbing activities, or lazing along the lakes.

Pause for a snack break to re-bounce with fresh energy… continue your adventure frolicking in their chikoo and mango orchards, or pluck some vegetables to take back home. Wrap up the tour in the soothing interiors of Savi Home and relish the traditional local cuisine all served on banana leaf with loads of love and attention.

When I set off for a picnic to Savi Farm last Sunday I least expected the explosion of experiences mentioned above! My eyes tired of sights of concrete jungle in city feasted well on the green surroundings of Savi Farm.

Tour of Savi Farm

The farm is dotted with mango and chiku orchards. Mango season is long gone. All eyes are now set on chikoo season which is usually Jan to Feb. (Chikoo or Sapota is called Sapodilla, noseberry or mudapples in English.) Karnataka is the top producer of Chikoo fruits in India. Did you know 41 varieties of Chikoo are grown in India? They come in different shapes and sizes.

At Sapota/Chikoo orchard of Savi Farm you can see and taste some of those different varieties. Yes, you can choose and pluck the chikoo from trees. However they are not ready to eat. Unlike mangoes which ripen in trees and are ready to eat, chikoo fruits need warmth to ripen. So you have to pluck them when mature yet still firm and store in warmth of rooms.

…herd of deer

Interestingly, it is here we spotted a herd of deer. They were at a distance, all herded together, still and observing our movements, sensing danger. We too stood rooted on our spots, scared to breathe or move, lest we scare them away. I was too scared to click. That silence was soothing! And I wish it lasted enough to wipe away the memory of vehicles honking in the mad rush of traffic in the city not so far away. But very soon they moved on.

We paused for a while during the tour. Hosts at Savi Farm made a wonderful snack break for us. I relished their chikoo milkshake the most.

…rock climbing

There is immense opportunity for adventure and photo shoot for those who are seeking it. The hillocks there urge you to climb and conquer! Sights of rocks defying gravity baffled us. While rock climbing there can be a good exercise of limbs, be warned that gravity can be your best friend too. Be well equipped in terms of footwear.

We walked the long stretch back through patches of shrubs and rocky surfaces, not too bad. Definitely much better than some of the potholed sidewalks of Bangalore city! You can even opt for a tractor ride there. At one point I noticed a burrow, which is when Manjula, the owner who was guiding us through the farm said there are rabbits around. Couple of time she was startled when one of them would dart across, but it is sheer joy to spot them.

…vegetable picking in Save Farm

Slowly the journey unfolded, we crossed over to a neatly laid out vegetable garden dotted with marigold flowering plants. Rows of banana plants, chilli, capsicum, cauliflower, amaranths, different kinds of gourds, variety of beans… I lost count.

Banana Leaf Lunch at Savi Farm

The best part of the tour was the sumptuous traditional lunch served on a banana leaf. Local cuisine of Karnataka is much more than Bisi Bele Baath, I realised. Ragi mudde, the most nutritious dish ever! It came with a generous dollop of horse gram rasam (Hurali Saaru). My next favourite was Akki roti made with rice flour and various other spices. This goes well with brinjal sabzi.  Then there was pulao, rasam rice, curd rice… it went on till I could eat no longer.

Finally the dessert was served…Halu Holige… oh heavenly! It is fried crisp puri with khas khas kheer in coconut milk! The ingredients that go into it are poppy seeds, cashew, almond, coconut milk, sugar and crispy flat breads made with refined flour.

They do make variations in the menu. However they stick to traditional local cuisine of Karnataka. Mostly it is vegetarian fare and one non veg item included if there is request for non veg dish. I must mention that the food is prepared right there, in their home kitchen and under the supervision of Mrs. Savithramma, mother of Manjula. Each dish is curated by her with so much care and attention. The kitchen is her forte!

Fun Day for Kids in Savi Farm

Children find picking fruits and vegetables is incredibly rewarding. Nothing beats pulling it from the ground or bush and having them for supper. Mothers particularly are thankful because their city bred kids are so disconnected with nature. Many can hardly identify or connect the vegetable to its plant. At the farm the kids learn it all the fun way.

Manju and Meenakshi, owners of Savi Farm introduced this concept of mango picking, chikoo picking and vegetable picking in their farm couple of years back. “My main motive is to get the kids experience farm life and taste the food that we are eating for generations… from where and how they get the food.” says Manjula. They find it so satisfying when they see the sense of wonder in little children’s eyes visiting the farm. Many of them see fruits and vegetables dangling from trees and plants in real for the first time.

…petting farm

There is a petting farm too with cows and sheep. Meenakshi narrated how a little girl tried her hand at milking a cow. She milked the cow and drank it immediately to her mother’s shock. All was well… the point is children love to experiment and experience. And they get all of it in Savi Farm.

…children from orphanage

One particular visit that is etched out in their minds is that of a visit by a couple celebrating their wedding anniversary. They sponsored 20 children from an orphanage to visit the farm. The couple spent time interacting with them in the mango orchard and vegetable garden. End of the day, the joy in the eyes of those kids was their reward!

These kind of interactive places are so rare in Bangalore. I personally feel instead of entertaining kids in gokarting or bowling in posh sports bars of the city for birthday parties, they should head to such farms and connect with nature.

Rich Harvest of Red Chilli

Tips to Tour Savi Farm

• As soon as you sign up with them they share an instruction pamphlet with you. Follow it till the last word.
• Wear good shoes for walking long stretches and to indulge in rock climbing.
• Take bags along because you may want to bring back vegetables and fruits with you.
• Take your bicycle along if you wish to cycle around the farm
• You have to arrange for your own transport. Start well in time to cater for unexpected traffic hurdles.
• You have to book and reserve a spot. No walk ins entertained.

Location of Savi Farm

Assuming there is less traffic in the roads of Bangalore you can make your way to Savi Farm from Old Madras Road of Bangalore in less than hour. Google maps read – Savi Farms is 46km north-east of Bangalore via NH75. There are tolls in this route.

Timings and Tickets to Savi Farm

Savi Farms host 2 batches per day. Morning batch is from 9AM to 2PM and Evening batch from 4PM to 8PM. Tickets cost: Adults Rs1000 per head, Children 5yrs to 12yrs – Rs600 and children below 5yrs – free.