Tag: Resorts near Mumbai

THE INDIA WE LOVE: REPUBLIC DAY AT THE MACHAN

We really lucked out as citizens of India, blessed to be living in a country full of diversity. While we often talk about cultural diversity, one of India’s most beautiful features is its geographical diversity. India is home to many landforms and species of flora and fauna, most of which we remain unaware of, unfortunately, either due to lack of knowledge or because they are almost endangered. The Machan resort in Lonavala has tirelessly worked towards the conservation of one of India’s most prominent regions- the Western Ghats.

The Machan is an eco-centric luxury resort in Lonavala with customized tree houses that float 45 feet above the ground. The in-house team of Naturalists have made the once barren ground, a thriving tropical cloud ecosystem teeming with indigenous flora, fauna, and wildlife species. 

The property makes a wonderful place for bird enthusiasts as birds can be spotted from the comfort of their private deck or while taking a trek in the forest. Many regular and migratory birds have made the property their home including babblers, barbets, kingfishers, thrushes, swallows, swifts, wagtails, booted eagles, common rose finches, blue napped monarchs, turtle doves, and ashy drongos among others. 

The resort’s property has 4 km of private paths, which the guests can enjoy in complete privacy and safety. The resort organizes guided treks in the evenings, during which the local staff introduces the guests to the fascinating Western Ghats. These treks culminate at the property’s very own beautiful sunset point. 

This Republic Day, get back to the India you love in all its entirety and glory. Take a hike or pick a cycle and explore what the Western Ghats have to offer, secure in the knowledge that your carbon footprint is minimal and your leisure is not in any way proving harmful for your motherland. 

CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR AT THE MACHAN

The onset of a new year is the time for celebrating one year of life and reflecting on fond memories with your favorite people. However, corporate life in bustling cities leaves very little room for reflection. Especially with the hectic year that we have shared, the farewell of this holiday season deserves a little extra care and thought. Celebrate this new year like never before, at The Machan resort in Lonavala, 40 feet in the air. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CX_NTtUlr0m/

The Machan Resorts is an award-winning, eco-friendly getaway for you to disconnect from the concrete hustle and reconnect with nature. It proudly houses customized tree houses that offer unmatched, spectacular views. The Machan aims at maximizing guests’ comfort and minimizing any damage to the environment and the community. The Machan experience combines extravagance with natural bliss and offers experiences like Shirin-Yoku, stargazing, bonfires, and guided nature trails.

The resort’s isolated location, devoid of light pollution, offers guests a spectacular look at the starry nightscape. Gazing up from the comfort of their private decks, guests from Mumbai particularly enjoy the starry skies – which is quite a rarity in the city today.

Guests can indulge in this surreal experience over a private dinner, around a lively bonfire, or in the comforting company of their family and friends. 

The resort’s property has 4 km of private paths, which the guests can enjoy in complete privacy and safety. The resort organizes guided treks in the evenings, during which the local staff introduces the guests to the fascinating flora and fauna of the Western Ghats. These treks culminate at the property’s very own beautiful sunset point. 

Guests can also use this much-deserved break to indulge in spa therapies in the heart of the forest- truly an experience like no other. It is said that how you spend the first day of a new year is indicative of how the rest of the year is going to be, and we think a year of nature and relaxation sounds splendid. 

The Machan Gallery Volume 3 Results

The Machan resorts in Lonavala launched ‘The Machan Gallery’ initiative to encourage and appreciate the art of photography, in line with the resort’s philosophy of promoting community and creation. Under ‘The Machan Gallery’ initiative, 10 best captured moments are nominated for a public vote on our social media handles. The winners are awarded gifts and vouchers by The Machan. The winning entries for Volume 3 are:

The desire to disconnect in nature and seek inspiration for creation is a common drive in all The Machan’s guests. From wide-angle shots on a professional camera to pictures taken simply on your phone, we encourage and appreciate all forms of photography, for each photograph is a wonderful memory specially curated by you. 

The image presents a mutual co-dependence between darkness and light- a duality in reality that is often an important metaphor we often tell ourselves and others to provide some comfort when needed. Mark Frost rightly said, “For instance, there is no light without darkness—and this troubles many of us—but without it, how else would we tell one from the other? We spend half of every day in darkness; surely we should make our peace with this.”

The second photograph also interestingly represents another duality and mutual co-dependence. Men and women- two ends of a spectrum with a great half-discovered middle in between them. What keeps this spectrum from falling apart is the security one gets -while looking into another’s eyes- in the knowledge that ‘you and I’ are ultimately ‘one.’ 

The duality in the third photo lacks the mutual co-dependence that has otherwise also been a common observation amongst the entries. As humans, we depend on nature for life and sustenance and not the other way round. After ages of exploitation, our race is finally awakening to the idea of a sustainable lifestyle and preserving nature. In this big, beautiful, natural world, we can be more than just parasites. We can enjoy and consume the best of nature, but we can also be healers, conservers, and appreciators- much like The Machan itself. 

Resorts near Pune are a visual treat to the eyes, both real and artificial; but capturing their true beauty and the memories made there requires patience, creativity, and appreciation for the same- all three values that we hold dear to our heart. 

The Machan is an ideal weekend getaway from Mumbai and Pune for a digital detox and an art indulgence. Plan your next holiday at The Machan and don’t forget to pack your cameras!

We invite you to The Machan to disconnect to connect; to disconnect to create. 

The Machan – 1000 Posts on Instagram

Over the years, The Machan resorts in Lonavala has been a proud home to guests who have had an eye for beauty, a knack for seeking adventure, and a creative spirit. The photographs on our Instagram handle are a testament to our guests’ keenness to observe, create, and capture everyday miracles. 

The Machan has always put forth its guests’ media on its social handles, for that is an authentic representation of our service and quality. We have been fortunate enough to host guests who not only exercise creativity but also let us share their talent. The Machan encourages this creative spirit, and this journey of encouragement and appreciation has led us to 1000 posts on Instagram. 

Our guests have shown admiration for various aspects of The Machan by capturing the charm of our property. Through their artificial eyes, our guests have appreciated our machans, food, adventure activities, the starscape, and the lush property itself. The Machan is grateful for this mutual admiration. 

The Machan endorses the principle of community, and one of the most important pillars of a community is its artists- anyone with an imaginative flair. Right from simple moments with families or friends relaxing by the pool to stunning sunsets and curious wildlife species, our guests have curated their best memories and have been kind enough to let us also share them. In this odyssey, we now have 1000 illustrations of The Machan’s rustic charm and sterling philosophy of giving back to nature. 

The Machan Gallery Vol 3

The Machan resort in Lonavala is an exclusive eco-resort with unique tree houses rising 45 feet above the forest, offering complete serenity to those looking to escape into nature. In the heart of the Western Ghats, The Machan endorses the principles of sustainability, conservation, preservation, and community. 

What is The Machan Gallery?

One of the most important pillars of a community is its artists. As such, The Machan promotes the creation and appreciation of all art forms on its property. ‘The Machan Gallery’ initiative was launched in line with this thought to appreciate the art of photography. Resorts near Pune are a visual treat to the eyes, both real and artificial; but capturing their true beauty and the memories made there requires patience, creativity, and appreciation for the same- all three values that we hold dear to our heart. 

Under ‘The Machan Gallery’ initiative, 10 best captured moments are nominated for public vote on our social media handles. The winners are awarded gifts and vouchers by The Machan. 

What can you capture at The Machan?

The Machan is a haven for anyone interested in photography. Right from simple moments with your significant other or friends relaxing by the pool or in a hammock to stunning sunsets, wildlife, and the pitter-patter of the rains during the monsoon season, capture whatever intrigues you the most. From wide angle shots on a professional camera to pictures taken simply on your phone, we encourage and appreciate all forms of photography, for each photograph is a wonderful memory specially curated by you. 

The Machan is an ideal weekend getaway from Mumbai and Pune for a digital detox and an art indulgence. Plan your next holiday at The Machan and don’t forget to pack your cameras!

Interested in The Machan Gallery? Click here to see the previous nominations. 

The Elegant Partnership of Figs and Fig Wasps

It is widely believed that figs were actually the fruit in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve, not apples. The early Olympic athletes used figs as a training food. Figs were also presented as laurels to the winners, becoming the first Olympic ‘medal.’ Chances are that you may be familiar with the common fig or ‘anjeer’ that has found its way from ancient art, to the early Olympics, to gourmet cuisine, and now also to our palettes. 

Fig trees do not flower

It is one of the 750 known species of ficus, and the Machan, one of the finest resorts in Lonavala is home to several of them. If you have seen a fig tree before, you must have noticed that unlike other fruit trees, fig trees do not flower. What is this mystery of the missing flower? This secret is hidden inside the garden that figs themselves make, and the special relationship that they have with fig wasps. 

The relationship between figs and fig wasps

Over 18 millions years ago, fig trees formed an elegant partnership with some tiny, stingless wasps. Fig trees produce a secret garden of tiny flowers, enclosed within a thick wall- this arrangement looks like a fruit. You may say that the flowers are inside the fruit. Each fig species depends on a particular type of wasp to pollinate its flowers. The female wasp enters the fruit through a small opening below it and deposits her eggs in a cavity. In this process, she may lose some parts of her wings and antennae. Along with the eggs, she also deposits the pollen collected from the original host fig. This allows the female flowers inside the fruit to pollinate and mature. After this, the female wasps die.

The female is born pregnant

After the fig develops, wasp eggs develop into larvae. After the pupal stage, the mature male’s first act is to mate with a female- even before she hatches. As such, the female will emerge pregnant. The male digs a tunnel through the fruit for the female to come out of it. The wingless male wasps cannot survive outside the fig for much longer. The females come out of the tunnel, picking up pollen on their way. They then fly to another tree of the same species for the cycle to continue. The pollinator females are fragile and only live for a day or two. However, they can travel upto 160 kilometers to find figs for pollination. 

Keystone species

The now ripened and wasp-free figs emit a fruity odor in the air that attracts squirrels, maynas, barbets, fruit bats, parakeets, macaws, and even the nocturnal loris and civets. Thus, figs are a keystone species as they sustain a variety of wildlife creatures. Scientists are now using figs for this power to kickstart rainforest regeneration in areas that have been locked. 

The Machan is dedicated towards the preservation of all the species in its ecosystem. If you think these creatures are interesting, you should explore our naturalist series and find out interesting facts about more commonly seen insects like termites and spiders to name a few. Our nature paradise near Mumbai is open for you to take a trail and explore every species from frogs and squirrels to thrushes and monkeys. 

Responsible Tourism Society of India to onboards Machan Resorts to Promote Sustainable Tourism Practices in the Western Ghats

The machan and RTSOI

The Machan is pleased to announce that it is now a member of the Responsible Tourism Society of India (RTSOI). This membership will aid in minimizing any negative social, economic, and environmental impact that tourism may have on the ecosystems of the Western Ghats and preserve its communities. 

Who is RTSOI ?

The Responsible Tourism Society of India (RTSOI) is a non-profit organization, established with the aim to promote and ensure environmentally responsible and sustainable practices in the tourism industry. The founding body of RTSOI comprises 13 widely experienced professionals from relevant fields. They are:

  • Starlight machan
  • Mr. Rakesh Mathur- Former CEO, Bass (IHG) Hotels, South and West Asia; Former President, ITC Welcomheritage Hotels
  • Mr. Steve Borgia- MD, Indeco Hotels, Chennai
  • Mr. Mandip Singh Soin, FRGS- Founder & Managing Director, Ibex Expeditions Pvt. Ltd.
  • Mr. Jose Dominic- MD, CGH Earth Hotels
  • Mr. P.D. Rai- Former Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
  • Dr. Venu V, IAS- Revenue Secretary, Government of Kerala
  • Mr. Ravi Singh- CEO, WWF India
  • Mr. Toby Sinclair- Wildlife Film Maker; Director Indian Safaris
  • Mr. Avay Shukla- Additional Chief Secretary (Retired); Government of Himachal Pradesh
  • Mr. Krishna Kumar Singh- Former MLA and Environmentalist 
  • Mr. Sudhir Sahi- Consultant, UNDP
  • Mr. Niranjan Kharti- Founder, iSambhav; Former GM Environment, ITC Welcome Group Hotels 
  • Mr. Mr. Sarath C.R.- Chief Naturalist, Taj Safaris; Associate Director Evolve Back Resorts

“While we talk about the benefits of tourism, it is also important to acknowledge and take actions against the substantial negative impacts this industry has on a destination’s environment, culture, and locals. The Machan promotes eco-friendly tourism practices and is one of the few resorts that implement plans to be as sustainable as possible and minimize any damage to the Western Ghats,” Machan’s spokesperson. 

The Machan’s strategies for sustainability

  • Use of only LED lighting throughout the property
  • Provide pure mountain water for consumptions in glass bottles from the property’s 300 foot deep bore well
  • Recycle 80% of all greywater and use it to water plants on the property
  • To reduce dependency on fossil fuels, the Machan uses parabolic solar cookers to cook a portion of meals
  • All energy is generated off-grid from renewable resources 

The Machan shares RTSOI’s vision of sustainable tourism and the synergy between the two organizations aims at benefitting the Western Ghats by making positive contributions to the conservation of the biodiversity of the area and generating economic benefits for the local communities. 

The joined resources and efforts of RTSOI and the Machan will result in:

  • Formulating and implementing plans for long-term sustainability efforts
  • Working with relevant bodies of power to establish sustainable tourism practices which will not only include conservation of nature and wildlife but also allow local communities to benefit from tourism
  • Better support for eco-based research
  • Promotion of efficient energy saving practices like water harvesting, use of solar and other natural energy sources, and reducing overall carbon footprint
  • Organize training and other activities for guests, staff and locals to create awareness on ecotourism and sustainable tourism

Additionally, RTSOI will help The Machan network with sustainability experts and offer solutions to problems relating to sustainability, and inspire other resorts in Lonavala . As a member, the Machan will have a medium to share its best practices with other member organizations and promote its vision.

The Naturalist Diaries: Termite Mounds, Soldiers and the Queen.

The Machan is an eco-friendly resort in Lonavala set in a recovering forest ecosystem in the hills of the Western Ghats. Its forests are home to one of nature’s best builders that are often only looked at as domestic nuisances. When you think of termites, probably the only thing that comes to your mind is that they’re wood eaters. However, termites or white ants are fairly interesting creatures with more than 2,000 known species in the world, and there is a lot one can learn about them. 

Termites are blind

Termites are small ant-like insects that live in mounds or nests on the ground. An interesting fact about them is that most worker and soldier termites are blind by virtue of not having eyes at all! They have sense organs located on the base of their antennae and tibiae that allow them to sense vibrations. Scientists have observed that some species choose which food sources to infest by sensing vibroacoustic signals emitted by various pieces of wood. They also use vibrations to communicate with one another. 

Termites versus Ants

Although their social structure resembles that of ants, termites are the descendants of cockroaches while ants are the descendants of wasps. Unlike ants, termites are strictly vegetarian and feed on dead wood, moss, and lichens. Ants are in fact the number one enemies for termites. Occasionally, termite and ant colonies that are near each other will go to war over territory and access to food.

Termite mounds

The construction of a mound begins from under the ground and has the same height below ground as it has above. The worker termites are responsible for building these mounds by mixing soil and their saliva. Due to its architecture, the mound is essentially air conditioned and remains seven degrees cooler than the temperature outside. Each nest or mound easily houses millions of termites in hundreds of chambers. 

The queen and mother of all termites

The inner sanctum or the queen’s chamber is the most guarded chamber of the mound. The queen is the mother of these millions of termites. A healthy female can lay more than 30,000 eggs in a day. She is attended by the worker termites responsible for feeding her, grooming her, and carrying her eggs into another chamber for hatching. Out of these eggs, nymphs are born that grow up to be workers. Termite queens have the longest lifespan of any insect in the world. Some termite queens may live between 30 and 50 years, reproducing annually and founding numerous colonies.

Ecosystem engineers

The height of the tallest termite mound recorded is 42 feet. It is found in the Republic of Congo. Although they are considered pests in houses, they play the role of ecosystem engineers in a forest. This is because they decompose all dead material from the forest floor. 

The Machan is dedicated towards the preservation of all the species in its ecosystem. If you think these creatures are interesting, you should explore our naturalist series and find out interesting facts about more commonly seen insects like butterflies and spiders to name a few. Our nature paradise near Mumbai is open for you to take a trail and explore every species from frogs and squirrels to thrushes and monkeys. 

Have you watched our previous video on the love story of frogs? Click Here

The Calls and Life Cycles of Frogs

Learn about the lifecycle of a frog from our naturalist neha!

Come monsoon and we begin sighting our favorite jumpy amphibians with bulging eyes, croaking sound, and slimy skin- frogs. Found all over the world, they are among the most diverse animals in the world, with more than 6,000 species. Luckily, the Machan, an eco-centric getaway in Lonavala, is home to some of them. As such, our dedicated team of naturalists have conducted research to study their needs and behavior. We see and hear frogs croaking in and around our houses every year, but how much do we know about them? Read this ‘ribbiting’ blog to learn interesting facts about frogs’ calls and lifecycle. 

Only male frogs croak to attract the females for reproduction

As mentioned, frogs are amphibians. Thus, they need both land and water to complete their life cycles. Frogs need to be around areas with a water source to reproduce, but other than that, they are found on every continent except Antarctica and in almost every environment. But a lesser known fact about them is that it is only the male frogs that croak, chirp, ribbit, or hoot. These calls, known as advertisement calls, are to attract female frogs for reproduction. Male frogs advertise themselves as potential partners, hoping to attract a female frog. Since every species has a distinct surrounding call, they can be identified by their calls. 

What is amplexus?

Since the purpose of these calls is reproduction, they mostly take place near wetlands, dams, streams, and other water bodies where eggs can be laid and tadpoles develop. When ready to mate, the male and female frogs form what is called an amplexus i.e., a type of mating behavior that shows external fertilization. The female forms a foam and lays her eggs in it. These are fertilized by the male. 

From tadpoles to adulthood

Once the eggs are fertilized, a frog’s life cycle begins as a tadpole. Tadpoles look like tiny fish and have gills to help them breathe underwater. They feed on small plants and algae in the water and later start to develop two front and back legs. Their tail starts getting shorter as they use the nutrients stored in it as food for development. Once this tail is completely lost, the frog becomes an adult.

Diet and lifespan

With a diet ranging from bugs and spiders to larvae and even small fish, the lifespan of most frogs in the wild ranges from three to six years and varies from species to species. Frogs are social creatures that live in groups. A group of frogs is called an army, colony or a knot. Groups of young frogs will even swim together in schools, much like fish.

The Machan is dedicated towards the conservation and protection of all the species in its ecosystem. If you think these creatures are interesting, you should explore our naturalist series and find out interesting facts about more commonly seen insects like termites and spiders to name a few. Our comfortable nature paradise near Mumbai is open for you to take a trail and explore every species from frogs and butterflies to thrushes and monkeys. 

Celebrate the art of freezing moments this World Photography Day

A moment lived is cherished for eternity via photographs. Digital, printed or polaroids, whatever the form, a single photo is often a collection of myriad memories that brought together people for that one instant.
This World Photography Day, create such beautiful moments and memories at the Machan Resorts in Lonavala. A beautiful tree house resort near Mumbai, the property boasts of lush green forests and views of lofty hills for the discerning traveler.

Why celebrate this day at a Resort near Pune?

World Photography Day is observed to celebrate the magic of cameras, and the photos they bestow upon us. The art of creation is ardently appreciated at The Machan, a Lonavala resort complete with various vantage points to give you that picture-perfect shot.

What all can you capture at The Machan?

Right from simple moments of your significant other or friends relaxing by the pool or in a hammock to stunning sunsets and the pitter-patter of the rains during monsoon season, the resort in its entirety is a haven for photographers. Practice your art with numerous wide-angle shots or simply sit in your private deck and capture the shimmering night sky. You can also carry your camera around the resort to click pictures of different birds and nature trails. At this beautiful resort in Lonavala, there is no dearth of excellent shots.

  • Capture the Canopy
  • Kiss the Frog
  • The Heritage
  • Zoom into nature
  • Underwater photography
  • Create rose bubbles
  • Bathe in style
  • Kissed by nature
  • Be a Jungle Queen

An ideal weekend getaway from Mumbai and Pune, the resort is a sight to behold in monsoon. Complete with tree house, cottages and villas, the resort is perfect for every kind of traveler. A wooded and serene paradise, this place is replete with nature’s magical vistas and moments of bliss punctuated with solitude. All of which are worth capturing when it comes to the spectrum of human emotions.
Like they say, a picture is worth a thousand words and this cannot be truer when it comes to the art of photography, best realized at The Machan. So bring out your cameras and all the tricks to create art with the click of a shutter. We have the ultimate canvas for your next big photoshoot worthy of Instagram and Pinterest.