Natural Farming/Travel

A magical oasis in the middle of a rocky desert terrain

A few months ago I happened to travel to Rajasthan, in India. Although the month of May is certainly not the best time to venture into the thick of desert land, I had no option. I had to take my son on vacation to meet his grandparents in the city of Ajmer in Rajasthan. We desperately needed a break from work and enjoy this holiday. We decided to travel to places a few hours away from Ajmer for sight seeing. In our search for places, we came across a place called 'Tapovan Ashram' which was described as a spiritual resort. We decided to go and see what this place had to offer.

Conceived and managed by a retired professor of agriculture, Dr. Ratan Chand Mehta, this place was no less than a magical oasis in the middle of rocky desert terrain. Spread over acres of desert land, we found this old man (or shall I call him a young enthusiast) cultivating a most challenging dream of turning the natural land from brown to green! Through a very scientific approach including detailed topological studies, geographical environments, water conservation methodologies and agricultural studies, he set out on this gruesome task. By employing the tribal inhabitants of Naya Khera and surrounding areas in Rajasthan, a beautiful model was envisioned to ensure productivity and reliability of income on a permanent basis for these tribals who are made to suffer the vagaries of deforestation jeopardizing their very survival.

This place is called Tapovan Ashram. Over a perid of 15 years, the place has transformed into a rare heaven. It is one of the rare places today where very consciously the concept of Natural Farming is being rigorously practiced and it is home to a whole lot of organically grown medicinal plants, fruits and vegetables.

We reached Tapovan around 6 in the evening and were quite fascinated with the idea of living in real mud houses as well as a few concrete ones (with the bare necessities like clean bathrooms and comfortable beds). A few tubes and bulbs did light the place sufficiently but ofcourse the jungle magic actually began when the power went off and we had go around with our torches! There weren't many people around - only the old couple and a few workers. Of course, there were a few students and Researchers from across the globe who spent months here volunteering their services to make this place better and better.

There is a small swimming pool (imagine it is always full of water even in the most arid conditions) where we swam that night for hours together. The experience is totally unmatched when you think of the heavy chlorinated water in your local pools with 20 other unknown people around! That night we got a small room for ourselves a little away across a little jungle (cannot deny we were a little scared of stories of a tiger guest a few months ago!).

We woke up to the most enchanting sounds of the birds and cattle around and quickly we set out more for adventure….in the most relaxed environs! Dr. Mehta, has built a meditation centre in this ashram - with 2 pyramids, pyramid houses, and an underground den along with systematic ayurvedic and nature cures. Though these facilities are only available to their fullest on a pre-planned visit or one of the many camps organized for enthusiasts several times a year. Apart from these my son and myself, for the first time in our sterile urban lives got the thrill of plucking fruits and vegetables directly from the trees and eating them. Much to his excitement, Mrs. Mehta gave my son the task of plucking lady fingers and papaya from the fields for preparing lunch for all of us.

In a very long time, we ate like never before, we walked like never before, we breathed like never before and most importantly we learnt like never before.

Though this was just a crash trip that happened by chance, it was an eye-opener in many ways for me. As the months passed by, I realized that this one experience has taught me patience and the importance of enjoying the process of learning. I am trying hard and very sincerely that I bring up my children as naturally as they are meant to be reared and help them learn through observations and curiosity rather than forcing them to memorize exactly the 25 chapters slated for the next exams!

- Sonali Kothari
Founder, Innishari

Some Facts for anyone interested!

A NATURAL PARADISE IN SECLUDED FOREST ENVIRONMENT
Located in village Nayakheda, Post Nai, Udaipur, India.
Tel. +91 294 2803876.
Website: www.tapovanashram.com
A creation of: Gyan Bharati Trust (A public charity)
Please call Dr. R.C.Mehta, Managing Trustee, 46, Gokul Nagar, Udaipur (Rajasthan) - India -313001 Telephone: +91 294 2471738
E-mail: rcmehta47@hotmail.com