Brigadier’s Cottage is a self-sustaining ecosystem in the ‘queen of hills’ – Mussoorie, Uttarakhand.

Brigadier’s Cottage is a self-sustaining ecosystem in the ‘queen of hills’ – Mussoorie, Uttarakhand.

Started by Aseem Varma and his wife Neetu, the homestay is made with zero-cement and local wood.

Started by Aseem Varma and his wife Neetu, the homestay is made with zero-cement and local wood.

It also has a poultry farm, a dairy farm, an apiary, and an organic food forest, and is pet-friendly.

It also has a poultry farm, a dairy farm, an apiary, and an organic food forest, and is pet-friendly.

What inspired the couple to live the sustainable dream?

What inspired the couple to live the sustainable dream?

“We lived in Gurugram on the ninth floor of an apartment building and felt increasingly disconnected from nature,” Aseem, who worked as a general manager at ITC, states.

“We lived in Gurugram on the ninth floor of an apartment building and felt increasingly disconnected from nature,” Aseem, who worked as a general manager at ITC, states.

“Both of us wanted to escape the rat race and provide our daughter with a better life. Every day, we would hear news about food adulteration which deeply concerned us.” He and Neetu, who worked at MakeMyTrip, were already familiar with the hotel industry.

“Both of us wanted to escape the rat race and provide our daughter with a better life. Every day, we would hear news about food adulteration which deeply concerned us.” He and Neetu, who worked at MakeMyTrip, were already familiar with the hotel industry.

“We wanted to create a community and a home where people could come to take a break from city life,” he explains.

“We wanted to create a community and a home where people could come to take a break from city life,” he explains.

Recalling how they narrowed down on the place they wanted to build their dream home in, Neetu says, “You know how as a kid you would draw two big mountains, a river and a home on the side? That is exactly what the place looked like.”

Recalling how they narrowed down on the place they wanted to build their dream home in, Neetu says, “You know how as a kid you would draw two big mountains, a river and a home on the side? That is exactly what the place looked like.”

“It was near Kempty Falls and had a river passing through just below. There was a 50-year-old broken down structure which we used as a base for our homestay,” she adds.

“It was near Kempty Falls and had a river passing through just below. There was a 50-year-old broken down structure which we used as a base for our homestay,” she adds.

The duo bought the property in 2015 and Neetu quit her job. A year later, Aseem followed suit. The couple opened their home to guests in 2017 and have hosted over 10,000 guests so far.

The duo bought the property in 2015 and Neetu quit her job. A year later, Aseem followed suit. The couple opened their home to guests in 2017 and have hosted over 10,000 guests so far.

The couple has also planted 300 trees ever since they purchased the property.

The couple has also planted 300 trees ever since they purchased the property.

“Everything that we serve to the guests comes from our farms. We even make our own oil from walnuts, groundnuts and mustard seeds,” Neetu adds.

“Everything that we serve to the guests comes from our farms. We even make our own oil from walnuts, groundnuts and mustard seeds,” Neetu adds.

“We also produce our own honey with 23 bee boxes. We grow turmeric and chia seeds and have our own dairy. Additionally, we maintain a small poultry farm with around 30 chickens for eggs.”

“We also produce our own honey with 23 bee boxes. We grow turmeric and chia seeds and have our own dairy. Additionally, we maintain a small poultry farm with around 30 chickens for eggs.”

The couple also follows a low-waste policy. “All the food waste becomes fodder for our livestock. All the cow dung is converted and made into organic incense sticks to be used in the homestay itself,” Aseem says.

The couple also follows a low-waste policy. “All the food waste becomes fodder for our livestock. All the cow dung is converted and made into organic incense sticks to be used in the homestay itself,” Aseem says.

There is much to be done at the homestay. Trail through jungles accompanied by a local guide, bird spotting, hikes to the river Yamuna, and river rafting.

There is much to be done at the homestay. Trail through jungles accompanied by a local guide, bird spotting, hikes to the river Yamuna, and river rafting.

“We also recommend a visit to Sainji, known as the Corn Village of India, to experience more local culture and activities,” says Aseem.

“We also recommend a visit to Sainji, known as the Corn Village of India, to experience more local culture and activities,” says Aseem.