News Story
Environment
The Better India · 27 days ago
Off the Grid: a Forest Homestay Powered by Solar Near Dandeli
In the heart of Dandeli's forest, Sylvia Kerkar, a former journalist, and John Pollard, a rafting pioneer, have crafted Off The Grid-a sanctuary born from the whispers of the wilderness, far removed from the din of modernity. Their retreat, built without electricity in a landscape untouched by roads or power lines, embodies a quiet rebellion against the relentless pace of contemporary life. The couple's journey was not driven by a blueprint, but a profound connection to the land and the simple, yet daunting beauty of living authentically with nature. "Clay demands presence," Sylvia reflects, as her hands shape pottery in harmony with the rhythms of the forest. Challenges were met not with haste, but with the patient hands of local villagers, weaving their craftsmanship into every brick and beam. Here, solar panels and rainwater harvesting sustain life, where the scent of fresh clay mingles with that of the earth after rain. Off The Grid is more than a retreat; it is a life manifesto that invites guests to disconnect intentionally, offering a reminder that sometimes the richest connections are found not online, but deep in the untouched heart of a forest.
