Farm tourism seems to be the in thing for locals and tourists coming to the city. We explore.

Who would not want to wake up to the chirping of birds and soothing morning breeze? With farm tourism becoming the in thing in the city, farmhouses around Trichy are gearing up to provide that unique experience to the tourists.
These farmhouses seems to be popping up in every nook and corner of the outskirts of the city and those who have been yearning for that rural experience are all heading to spend their weekends there.
Sriram Krishnamoorthy, who owns a farm house in the city, says that he had always wanted a place to spend quality time with family away from the city. “Trichy is blessed with fertile soil, so when I invested in a house outside the city, I also made sure to cultivate the surrounding areas. I visit the farmhouse along with my friends and family. We just go there cook, eat, talk and relax, far away from the maddening city crowd.”
Such farm experience packages are gaining popularity in the city and travel agents are cashing in on the trend. Whether it is to explore the city’s temples, go trekking or relax under the monsoon weather, Trichy’s farmhouses have everything on board, “We have a group of Swedish students who visit us every year and stay with us to understand the Indian culture better. They return home inspired after looking at our lifestyle. So I provide them with the  essence of rural India by taking them to the nearby villages in Trichy,”says Santhanam Rajagopalan, an environmentalist.
Augustus Manimaran, a construction engineer who owns one such house, which is built with environment-friendly materials says that he is having the time of his life. “I have always wanted to retire peacefully and my farm house is my dream project. I have begun taking a walk around the place with my dog, visiting the place with friends and relaxing in nature’s lap.”
Constructed beautifully and nestled in acres of  paddy fields Augustus, has also allowed it for commercial renting. “Not everyone can afford to build such houses, so renting them out for commercial purposes, has now caught the city by storm,” he says.
Jerome Francis, an engineering student says that it’s great break and transports them in to a different world altogether. “Such retreats are great for friend’s reunion, we meet up in one of my uncle’s houses, which has a pool and is surrounded by lush greenery. We spend the day there just catching up on old stories.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Life & Style> Travel / by Nuvena Rajendran, TNN / September 15th, 2012