"I tell people that this is granny's house." This was Kasthuri Amma's reply when I told her how the ayurvedic malt she gave us and the house atmosphere in general took me back to my days with Grandma. The words seemed apt. With each steps taken in that house and each meal we had from there, I was taken back in time...One step/meal at a time!
One of the highlights of our Agumbe itenary was our stay itself. We've been hearing the name a lot during our place research and instead of going with ease of online hotel booking business, we decided to go with Dodda mane.
Dodda mane, a 125 year old house just around the corner near the bus stop in Agumbe is where the famous Malgudy days was shot. The house, still standing strong and high without much modifications from its base construction is an experience not to miss when you are around here. The house now holds four generations of the family from Kasthuri Amma's mother to her grand daughter.
Dodda mane is open to visitors any time and as their tradition says, visitors will be treated with malanad style food during their stay there. You will easily fall in love with the food. As I mentioned before, if you had a past living in a village with your grand parents in the south, I guess the food here will be a time machine for you!
Kasturi amma has not commercialized this and you won't be given a bill for your stay and food. You are free to contribute whatever you feel like to the family. And for the experience whatever amount you give will be worth every coin you spend. The only way to book your stay is to call them and reserve your spot.
You are sure to feel at home when you are here and you will get suggestions for your plans here about places to visit and all. The time we went, all the falls around the area and the rain forest entry were closed. At this time, when we were wondering what to do with the day we've got here, the guide part of the family members came to our rescue. A few new places were added to the itenary such as the Sringeri Sarathambal temple and onake Abbi.
"Travel, travel often, and travel more. Travel is the best way to appreciate your life." - Abhishek Kumar
After a night's stay and with a lot of good memories, went to say good bye and thank our hosts. We were not told a price, as usual, but we did contribute to this wonderful experience with what we had. We thanked them and they sent us off with good wishes, going back to their work. It's navarathri week, the kitchen is busy making stuff needed for the poojas.
Here is the TripAdvisor link to Dodda Mane reviews and details.
A few snaps from the Agumbe trip
Thinking how to spend time in Agumbe! This video might help!
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