Before talking about this Malnad trip, I should give you an idea of its origins. S.O.C – The Strategic Observation Center – Our area buddies’ own christened hangout spot! SOC isn’t anything grand, just a corner we claimed as our own, a compound we sat on; but it is the beating heart of our little world. SOC is where time seems to slow down. Even to this day, we gather mostly after dinner or on lazy evenings, taking a stroll around the area, come back to SOC and talk about everything under the sun. The laughter, the debates, the teasing… it all blended into a rhythm that only we understand. Decade old codenames like Exhibit A, huLi (Tiger), Dr. Vitthal Rao, Stacy’s mom, 3rd PUC boys are encrypted even to this day. Our visit to Abhi’s century old ancestral home in Mungaravalli, Sagara was a plan conceived right there at SOC somewhere during pre-covid era. But thanks to the busy lives and schedules of all of us; And of course, Anil's moving to Nashik; Abhi's own startup, Alu's ABC diet and Swaroop & Chaitra's babysitting priorities; The trip was executed probably a decade after!
The expectation was simple enough — just a few quiet days in
that century-old home, savoring authentic Malnad cuisine, soaking in the rustic
charm and be back to our chores. We thought it would be a short retreat,
nothing more. But what awaited us was far beyond what we had imagined. The
warmth of the hosts, the little gestures of care turned those days into
something unforgettable. Every meal felt like it was cooked with love, every
conversation carried the ease of belonging, and every corner of that house
seemed to whisper stories of the past. What was meant to be a brief getaway
became a memory etched deep. The Havyaka hospitality truly bowled us over.
About the place
Mungaravalli is tucked in the lush green folds of the
Western Ghats, a 6 km drive from the town of Sagara. The Malnad region of
Karnataka is a land that smells of rain-soaked earth, freshly ground spices,
and tender areca leaves swaying in the monsoon breeze. But beyond its scenic
charm, what truly defines Malnad is its people — and among them, the Havyakas
stand out for their deep-rooted culture and unmatched warmth.
Who Are the
Havyakas?
They are a Brahmin community with origins tracing back
several centuries, known for their traditional values, distinctive dialect of
Kannada (Havyaka Kannada), and reverence for knowledge and simplicity.
Primarily spread across Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, and parts of Dakshina
Kannada, they have long been stewards of the region’s cultural and ecological
heritage. But more than their scholarship or cuisine, it’s their hospitality — gentle,
genuine, and unpretentious — that leaves the most lasting impression.
A Home in Harmony
with Nature
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| Abhi's century old ancestral home at Mungaravalli |
The house was a world unto itself — A century old home with
a red-oxide flooring, open verandahs, wooden beams polished by decades of care,
and a courtyard with pillars that make way for a makeshift attic to dry the
arecanuts in summers and a kitchen garden fragrant with basil and curry leaves.
Right opposite the house, it stretched endless green: areca nut trees swaying
gently, turmeric leaves unfurling, black peppers on the cusp of harvest.
Everywhere I looked, nature wasn’t a backdrop — it was part of daily life. The
Havyakas of Mungaravalli have a way of living that flows effortlessly with the
seasons. It reflected a harmony with the natural rhythms of Malnad. I, Anil and
Swaroop were more than just guests and found ourselves not just staying in a
home, but in a living ecosystem that breathed generosity.
A Connection to Nature
Much of this hospitality springs from the Havyakas’ close
relationship with nature. Their home was surrounded by areca plantations, paddy
fields, and kitchen gardens — are sanctuaries of self-sufficiency. I was told, everything
served to a guest often comes from their own soil: home-grown vegetables,
freshly pressed coconut oil, and the day’s harvest from the backyard. The way
aunty made way for our Sandhyavandane; showed the madi neeru (Holy water) and basil
leaves and asked Anil to pluck it for his Pooja; the way Abhi’s uncle plucked
cucumbers and green chillies from the backyard and prepared a salad – For
someone like me who has only heard of 2 minute noodles, the 2-minute salad was
the epitome of homesteading! I still can’t get over the ease of living that
they are used to!
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| The backyard with sustainable mobilty |
Hospitality in Everyday Life
In reality, we are nothing more than just Abhi’s friends who wanted to experience MaLenadu. But every home Abhi took us to, his relatives, his dad’s friends and neighbors, they all treated us with so much of love because we are “Mungaravalli Haribhat’s Son Nagaraj’s neighbours! Next time, even without Abhi, we can visit with the tag “Mungaravalli Haribhat’s Son Nagaraj’s neighbours" and they'd still treat us with the same vigor. We had uncle’s Zen Estilo with us for entire two days, so we could drive to Jog, Ikkeri, NiNaSam and other places. Abhi’s aunt took so much of effort to prepare steaming idli, freshly ground coconut chutney and a cup of aromatic filter coffee because we are from Bangalore. Refusing it is almost impossible — not because of politeness, but because every offering by her carried the warmth of the giver.
Festival
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| All set for Tulasi pooje |
This visit made me think; What is that they do so differently, that they won hearts in less than two days! What makes the essence of the entire Mungaravalli’s warmth so different from us? What makes their hospitality so memorable? For sure, one thing is convincing! Unlike the urban dwellers like us, what they offer the guests is not extravagance but sincerity. In a world that often rushes past, they embody the rare art of pausing for people – They genuinely invest their time to converse and connect with everyone. I say this because of the 10 odd homes we visited in 2days, we were the same strangers for them, yet we experienced the same warmth!
Whether you are a guest in their home or just an
acquaintance, you’ll carry back more than just memories of scenic beauty; After
two long months of this visit, that feeling follows me — We arrived as guests —
And left as family.
