From Organic Farming to 90% Lower Bills: Hyderabad Couple Realizes Their Green Dream Home
From Organic Farming to 90% Lower Bills: Hyderabad Couple Realizes Their Green Dream Home.
Located in the peaceful hills near Pune, Anant Farms shines as a sanctuary of sustainability combined with a deep cultural heritage. Anirudha Ambekar and his wife, Sucheta, have created a lifestyle here that reflects the principles of mindful living.
Both Anirudha and Sucheta worked in the thriving tech industry in Bengaluru before moving to Pune. Even though they embraced city life, they felt a strong connection to their rural origins.
Anirudha cherishes memories from his childhood in Gangakhed, a small village in Marathwada where he grew up. He recalls the large stone house, wooden doors, and the simple pleasures of village life.
“It was a small village where we lived in an old stone house with big wooden doors. We were part of a joint family and practiced farming. We even had a cow in our backyard. After moving away, I really missed that lifestyle. I longed for the spacious house, the fresh farm produce, and the typical joys of going on picnics,” he reflects.
This desire inspired Anirudha and Sucheta to start a project that would infuse their modern lives with a touch of rustic charm.
Their dream home, ‘Anant Farms’, is located in Bramhanghar, approximately 47 kilometers from Pune city. Surrounded by historic forts such as Torna and Rajgad, the farm boasts stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere. “The area is lush green during the monsoon,” Anirudha explains. “It feels like a piece of Mahabaleshwar.”
Creating a home rooted in enduring traditions:
The design of Anant Farms pays tribute to traditional building methods. The house covers an area of 3,000 square feet and features a central courtyard, reminiscent of Anirudha’s ancestral home in Gangakhed.
This courtyard, covered with a transparent sheet to protect against heavy rains, serves as a gathering place for family and friends, fostering a welcoming environment for connection.
To maintain the rustic charm, the couple chose local and sustainable materials. The walls are made of red stones from the Konkan region, which help keep the interior cool in summer and warm in winter. The floors are finished with Jaisalmer stone tiles, adding a timeless elegance. “Thanks to these materials, our home stays up to four degrees cooler than the outside temperature,” Anirudha notes.
One of the most impressive aspects of their home is the incorporation of reclaimed materials. Antique teakwood doors and windows, salvaged from old Pune houses that were set for demolition, now add character to their home. These pieces, with their detailed carvings and sturdy construction, reflect a bygone era.
Enhancing the home’s charm are furniture pieces inherited from Anirudha’s family. “These items reflect my grandfather’s legacy, which we aimed to restore to their former beauty,” the 47-year-old explains.
“We had a variety of teakwood furniture from the 1950s that my grandfather acquired. He was a freedom fighter. I brought everything from cupboards and doors to window frames and a large jhula (swing) into our new home. To my surprise, the furniture remained in good condition despite its age. I only needed to do some scraping and polishing, and it still keeps its historic appearance and functionality,” he shares.
While Anirudha managed the technical aspects of the home, Sucheta concentrated on transforming the space to honor their heritage. “From the start, I wanted to design a home that was deeply connected to the essence of the land. I adorned the interiors with folk art paintings and focused on blending traditional elements with our modern sustainable design,” she mentions.
Lowering electricity costs and conserving water:
Anirudha and Sucheta made sure that sustainability was central to the construction of their dream home. The house features rainwater harvesting systems that effectively collect monsoon rains, filling a man-made pond capable of storing up to eight lakh litres of water. “This is enough to meet most of our water requirements throughout the year,” Anirudha explains.
“We have a 20,000-litre water tank adjacent to our bungalow. Rainwater from our terrace is funneled into this tank, covering our needs during the monsoon season. After the rains, the pond water can last us for about four months. Overall, rainwater meets 85 to 90 percent of our water needs,” he adds.
Additionally, solar panels provide power for their home, significantly decreasing their dependence on electricity. “Our electricity bill dropped from Rs 5,000 per month to just Rs 500 to 600, even with regular use of lights, fans, a refrigerator, and water heaters,” Anirudha proudly states.
Interestingly, farm-to-table isn’t just a trendy concept for them; it’s a fundamental aspect of their lifestyle. The couple grows a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and spices. With the exception of potatoes and onions, they harvest around 12 different types of vegetables, including curry leaves, coriander, chillies, lime, tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, turmeric, garlic, and more.
Their home is enveloped by vibrant fruit trees that produce custard apples, chikoo (sapodillas), mangoes, guavas, jamun (Indian blackberry), and papayas. “Every choice we made — from planting native trees to designing our organic farming layout — was driven by our desire to create something meaningful for the community and the environment,” Sucheta explains.
At that time, Sucheta was new to organic farming, so she participated in workshops focused on zero-budget farming and organic methods to enhance her knowledge.
The couple also has a cow, whose gentle mooing contributes to the pastoral charm of their farm. “Its dung is a vital resource for organic compost like jivamrit, which enriches the soil,” Anirudha shares.
The couple often welcomes guests at Anant Farms, creating a rewarding experience for everyone involved. Visitors are treated to a slice of sustainable living, complete with organic meals and a chance to immerse themselves in nature. “Hosting guests here has been truly rewarding, as it allows us to create experiences that inspire others to embrace this mindful way of living,” Anirudha reflects.
Building their home was a journey filled with unexpected lessons and joys. “What began as a barren hill overlooking Torna Fort slowly transformed into a vibrant space. From sourcing natural materials to embracing the rural lifestyle, every step tested our patience. But this lifestyle has deepened my connection to our traditions,” Sucheta shares.
Experiencing farm life has been transformative for their family. “Watching our children develop a relationship with the land has been extraordinary. They now understand where their food comes from because they’re a part of the entire process — from sowing seeds to harvesting. Their excitement during harvest time and their pride in eating vegetables they helped grow make every challenge worthwhile,” Sucheta adds.
Usha Ambekar, Anirudha’s mother, experiences a deep sense of tranquility whenever she visits her son and daughter-in-law’s home. “Surrounded by the beauty of nature — with misty mountains, a peaceful river, and lush greenery — each visit fills me with happiness and creates lasting memories,” she expresses.
She explains that the name ‘Anant’ in ‘Anant Farms’ honors her late husband. “The sweet-smelling Ananta tree that Sucheta planted serves as a reminder of him. This farmhouse embodies our shared love and dreams,” she adds.
Through their journey, Anirudha and Sucheta aim to foster a sustainable legacy. “We strive to find a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation, where the echoes of the past resonate within the stone walls, and sustainable practices shape the future. For us, this place is more than just a home; it’s a haven of memories and a source of inspiration for others,” Anirudha shares.
