Home away From home

At The Farm in Jaipur, hedonism and creativity combine to create a sanctuary of pleasure. Siddharth Dasgupta dives right in.

The swami smoking marijuana seems perfectly still. As he should be, given that he’s a sculpture and all. In early morning’s dappled light, he appears perfectly at peace with himself, with the higher consciousness of intoxication, and with his surroundings. I can see where he’s coming from. Here at The Farm, a fresh interpretation of luxury, beautiful strands of creation, and the unexpected joys of epiphany have all colluded to create something undeniably magical.

I’m on the outskirts of Jaipur, half an hour from the heart of the city, and this home stay has become an instant home. The pure air might have something to do with it, as might the feeling that I’m being immersed in an experience that’s not everyday. In this most fabled of cities blessed with an abundance of extravagant palace hotels, stately havelis converted into addresses where myths of the past hover like ghosts, and boutique darlings packed with plenty of flair, The Farm has still managed to create and hold on to a space of its own.