Aug 30th – 31st, 2026
I stand beneath the towering canopy of the ancient mango trees, the cool breeze carrying the earthy scent of the grove and I know I have returned to a slice of paradise. This is my fourth visit to Mango Mulch and rustling mango leaves play a nostalgic melody in welcome.
This is a home stay which I had first written about in 2018 and have had the pleasure of returning to its familiar embrace again and again over the years.
But this time as my eyes sweep across the landscape, exciting new silhouettes emerge through the greenery and I notice that though the soul of this serene retreat has remained intact with its unhurried pace and reverence for nature, it however has gracefully expanded to weave in a few more elements of rustic tranquility.
The three original cottages have now found new companions in a freshly minted twin cottage, a dining hall cum kitchen and a charming little lily pond lying placidly in between the two and I am excited to explore these additional spaces this time.
So join me as I bask in the quietude of this home stay that lies tucked away in the hinterland of Talakad in the Mysuru district of Karnataka, India and let the silence heal our noise ravaged city ears, even if just for a day!
But wait, before you proceed, let me urge you to first read all about my original visit to Mango Mulch, for that will lay the foundation for this story!
About Mango Mulch –
Though the details have already been mentioned in the earlier blog, I will however give you a quick recap to make your life easier!
Ashwini and Sudhakar, also referred to as AshSudhi, are the proud owners of this 8 acre mango grove which they purchased in 2007. They named it Mango Mulch, a label that stands for the millions of leaves that carpet the land under the canopy of their monumental mango trees and eventually break down into mulch that organically adds nutrient value to the soil.
Apart from their own gorgeous traditional house set amidst the trees, they also built guest cottages, in a generous decision to open their doors to like minded people who would appreciate this lifestyle. Thus in Nov 2016, was born their home stay where their visitors could also experience a slice of their life.
The Talakad region is a beautiful one and it’s allure is enhanced by the gentle Kaveri (Cauvery) river that flows alongside its vast wetlands. Paddy, sugarcane and various vegetables add their shades of green to the landscape of the fields, a canvas that is punctuated by the stark white of the storks and egrets as they go about their business of feeding off the insects and other prey of the land.
About AshSudhi’s home –
Though I have described their personal dwelling in detail before, the beauty of this grand 7 bedroom traditional home or Thotti Maney as it is called locally, compels me to post at least one picture yet again. You can always find the intricate details in my original blog!
The homestay –
Video – A short glimpse in motion –
Nature continues to reciprocate the love that the owners shower on this place and the land as always, thrives with flowers, fruits, birds, butterflies and bees and the garden is a riot of colors at all times of the year.
Chikoos and gooseberries abound and my favorite Kumquat tree seems to be as bountiful as ever, laden with innumerable fruit. The only thing missing are the mangoes, for I am sadly a bit too late this year.
Bushes adorned with vibrant flowers create a multihued spectacle and generously provide a steady supply of fresh blooms. In a daily ritual of adding a touch of natural decor, a few chosen blossoms are gathered and arranged in a stone urn, to fashion a vivid centerpiece.
The peacocks as usual, shy away from granting that one clear picture which I so desire, while nevertheless taunting me with their shrill ‘meows’! A lone Coucal however, decides to pose for a fraction of time and my phone captures a hazy, mere ‘record’ shot.
There are now a total of 5 cottages and with names like Smriti, Shruti, Shanti, Sadhana and Shraddha, they unwittingly bring the Nirma jingle to my lips 😃
The new cottages –
The new twin cottages Sadhana and Shraddha have been designed with the exact same sensibilities for traditional aesthetics, as the rest of the property. The twin units have a common living room with a large window and they also share an open verandah which is a wonderful space to soak in the morning sun with a cup of preferred beverage in hand.
Inside, the simplicity is endearing. As with the older rooms, there are no buzzing air conditioners or distracting televisions … but of course.
The fans take care of cooling you and the large bay window complete with a katte (traditional stone seating) is the perfect nook to lean back against colorful cushions and watch the dappled sunlight shift across the farm. The bathrooms are modern and there is a geyser for hot water.
The 3 original cottages Smriti, Shruti and Shanti, have also been given their fair share of ‘facelift’ with spanking new bathrooms and refurbished bedrooms.
Dining –
Santrupti, the new dining space, certainly has been named aptly, for the contentment and fulfillment that it invokes through the hearty and homely meals that one enjoys in its embrace.
The culinary experience at Mango Mulch has always been a testament to fresh and wholesome vegetarian fare and this time too we savored their delectable signature dishes like ragi rotti, pumpkin idli, fresh chutneys, amla juice and more. We even managed to score a mango dessert from the frozen pulp of the recent harvest.
New Lily pond –
The new lily pond lies at the corner of the new cottage and the dining room. This serene body of water deepens the profound quietude of the grove and the large lily pads also provide a home for some cute little ‘froglets’, as I like to call them.
The Den –
The earlier dining space which was a thatched ‘pavilion’ right outside the old cottages, is now a space to sit around and spend some quiet time or read a book or just relax and enjoy the surroundings and the newly installed all-round mesh makes sure that you are undisturbed by insects and such like, while not compromising on the cool breeze that flows through from all sides.
Do not miss the innovative metal vegetable graters that hang suspended from the roof and play the part of light shades with aesthetic charm.
The enhanced Mango Mulch –
Mango Mulch was already a haven for those looking to escape the concrete jungle. With these thoughtful, rustic additions, this earthy space remains a beautiful reflection of slow, traditional living, as it continues to encapsulate the Mango Mulch philosophy of living a life that is simple, organic and rooted to the land.
Internet connectivity –
The internet is is sketchy but not too bad either and there are various spots where connectivity is good enough.
Visitor profile –
This place is an ideal getaway for those who are seeking to get away from the big bad city and spend some time in quietude and calm. It is also highly suited for yoga retreats, meditation retreats, spiritual retreats etc and plans are also underway to conduct year round sessions with an in-house yoga master.
The number of visitors is limited to the size of the accommodation, which is around 3 people per cottage.
It is also a great place for those families who would want their children to experience rural life and appreciate its stillness.
AshSudhi make it very clear that it is not a place for an action packed holiday or a partying destination and they personally speak to every prospective visitor before making bookings.
They would like to entertain only those who are in tune with their sensitivities and they want such people to know that such a haven exists.
Best time to visit –
While anytime would be a good time to visit, March, April and May could get a bit warm.
End of May brings the mango harvest, which is definitely exciting.
June to September is monsoon time and would be quite delightful to experience.
Winter and spring of course are everyone’s favorite times!
What you should and should not carry –
Since almost all essential items are provided, one might possibly carry just their electronic gadgets, personal medications, personally preferred toiletries/cosmetics etc. A cap and sunscreen would help during the hotter months.
Bring a camera to capture the beauty of the place.
What one cannot bring inside is alcohol, cigarettes, non-veg food and such.
Additional Information –
Disabled friendliness – the terrain is not wheelchair friendly for those with mobility issues but all the cottages are at ground level with only a couple of steps to access.
Parking – there is open air parking facility under the trees and very close to the cottages.
Driver accommodation and food – is not provided on the premises.
Getting there –
The best way to get there from Bangalore or Mysore, would be by one’s own vehicle or cab.
Bangalore – is 135 km away and is a 2 to 3.5 hour drive depending on traffic and which locality you are leaving from. One would go via South Bangalore and choose to use the Mysore road or the Kanakapura road route.
Bangalore Airport is 175 km away and one can book a cab from there.
Maddur bus stand/railway station is 55 km away and can be accessed in an hour’s drive (AC Volvo buses/trains from Bangalore to Maddur take about 1.5 hours).
Mysore Railway station/Bus stand – is 55 km away and will also take an hour by road.
For those who would use public transport, there are a couple of direct buses from Bangalore to Malavalli, a town that is 28 km away. The buses though, are not the air conditioned, express ones and they will take around 3 hours to get to Malavalli, after which one has to find local transport like a local bus or cab or auto.
Buses from Malavalli are available to the nearest town of Talakadu, 5 km from the farm from where one will again have to use Autorickshaws or cabs to get to the farm.
So like I said, cabs or own vehicles are the least stressful way!
Booking and contact –
To book a stay at Mango Mulch, contact the owners directly at
Email – mulchmango@gmail.com
Phone – +91 8971362864
Or via the website of Mango Mulch.
There are no other websites or indirect channels to book this place because the owners prefer to personally take the bookings.
Address –
Kurubalanahundi Road, T. Bettahalli, near Mudukutore Mallikarjuna Temple,
Talakadu, Karnataka 571122
For more pictures see My Facebook – Mango Mulch – The Enhanced Version
Also catch me on My Facebook, My Facebook page, My Twitter and My Instagram
Please Note – This was my 4th visit to Mango Mulch and my first time after the new cottages were built. The narrative is based on the inputs that I received from various sources as well as my own experiences.
Before booking, please check the facilities offered in your package.
Aug 30th – 31st, 2026
Carol,
Thank you for being on track again. As usual Love to Read all that you write. The description of Mango mulch is too good. Actually happy that you took us all friends to this place before COVID. Now the new amenities looks more beautiful. Carol , Keep writing and give us the joy of reading. Bye