51. HURDA PARTIES OF PUNE

Winters in Pune have become a time for parties with a different flavor. It is now Hurda party time. Hurda is the tender Jowar or sorghum roasted on a fire and eaten with some delectable rustic chutneys. So the other day I found a Hurda party farm over the net and contacted them to let them know when we proposed to visit. http://borkarfarms.com/location_map.html  We started early to beat the traffic, and reached by 9.30am. And so started a most wonderful day in the green and clean environs of Borkar Farms. For the record I must tell you I had been suffering a bout of flu for the past few days, sniffling and sneezing, but after a day at the farm, when I reached home in the evening I was all cured, just like that!

THE ENTRANCE

CHARPOYS ! CHAIRS FOR THE CITY FOLKS

WE DIDN'T RIDE THE BULLOCK CART. NEXT TIME.

A SHED FOR THE RAINY OR A HOT SUNNY DAY, MADE BEAUTIFUL!
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YOU CAN SPEND THE NIGHT IN ONE OF THESE HUTS

THE LOOKOUT!

DIDI WITH HER LOOT OF TAMARINDS. TOOK HER BACK TO HER CHILDHOOD.

THE NURSERY

GIANT CAULIFLOWER STILL GROWING!

A BITTER GOURD LEFT TO MAKE NEXT SEASON'S SEEDS MAKING A PRETTY PICTURE

I TOO HAVE A 'DESI' TOMATO PLANT GROWING ON MY TERRACE. WE ONLY GET THE HYBRIDISED VARIETIES IN THE MARKET THESE DAYS WHICH ARE TASTELESS AND DEVOID OF NUTRIENTS.

A WILD THORNY PLANT. SO RARELY SEEN NOW

The day started with a cup of coffee followed by a breakfast of Poha. By 11 we were ready for the Hurda. We gave the sugarcane juice a miss because we overdid the Hurda; it was so tasty. Soon to be followed by a very tasty and wholesome lunch.

THE COFFEE

THE LOWLY POHA NEVER TASTED BETTER

THE OPEN-AIR BREAKFAST 

LUNCHTIME

MILLET ROTIS, SPROUTED GRAINS, EGGPLANT VEGETABLE, THE INVARIABLE ''JHUNKA'' MADE OF CHICKPEA FLOUR AND THE FABULOUS CHUTNEYS AND ''CHHAS'' OR BUTTERMILK. THOUGH WE WERE FULL, THE SECOND COURSE OF RICE JUST HAD TO BE TASTED!

IF THE PLASTIC SPOONS AND PAPER PLATES WERE BOTHERING YOU, THE NEXT TIME YOU ARE LIKELY TO EAT IN THESE LEAF PLATES. MITA SOLD THE IDEA TO THE BORKARS. ALSO THEY PROMISED TO  SEGREGATE THEIR PLASTIC SO THE FARM REMAINS FREE OF THE SORE SIGHT OF PLASTIC JUNK EVERYWHERE. NEEDLESS TO SAY WE BROUGHT BACK ALL THE PLASTIC WE USED THAT DAY

THE HURDA

THE TENDER JAWARI FROM THE FIELDS

OUR PLATE OF HURDA WITH CHUTNEY AND JAGGERY

ROASTED ON FIRE

SEPARATED BY RUBBING BY HAND

BIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES, 
Sighting them makes every trip worthwhile

THE FEMALE LOTEN'S SUNBIRD

LOTEN'S SUNBIRD
HE WAS OUR CONSTANT COMPANION, FLITTING FROM FLOWER TO FLOWER

ASIAN BROWN FLYCATCHER

THE RED PIEROT

THE BLACK DRONGO

THE SCALY BREASTED MUNIA

BRAHMINY STARLING

THE COMMON JEZEBEL

OUR FRIEND WITH RUFFLED FEATHERS

The quiet and lovely natural settings inspired Anupda to play some old numbers on his Harmonica for us. The video is apparently a little long so not uploading properly. After feeling thoroughly rested and spoiled, even though the little birds kept me on my toes the whole day, we made our way back home after purchasing some garden fresh leafy vegetables from the neighbouring farmers. It was certainly a day well spent.

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