It all began with a reverie, if you’ll allow me to elaborate. It was the middle of the year in 2015 when my wife, daughter, and I embarked on a journey from Phuket to Phi Phi Island via a ferry. As I occupied a seat on the ferry, gazing out towards the vast expanse of the sea, a daydream took hold of my imagination.
In this vision, I found myself in the yearning embrace of 2015, riding my bicycle along a scenic route that led to my very own farm. This dream farm, a tranquil sanctuary of my own, allowed me the freedom to work at my own discretion, free from the constraints of a nine-to-five routine. Lost in this idyllic reverie, I was immersed in thoughts of lush fields, rustling leaves, and the sweet serenity of the countryside.
After a few moments, my wife gracefully joined me at the side of the ferry, her presence disrupting the dreamy solace I had found. Curious, she inquired about the thoughts that occupied my mind. In response, I opened up to her, sharing the enchanting dream that had captivated my thoughts.
Upon our return to Bangalore, much to my astonishment, a dear friend contacted me with intriguing news: a piece of land was available for sale. This marked the genesis of my quest for a modest plot of land. I embarked on this endeavor by engaging in negotiations for no less than four different parcels, making earnest deposits of either 5,000 or 10,000 rupees as a sign of my intent. Regrettably, these initial attempts proved futile, for unforeseen issues marred each prospective land acquisition.
Then, as 2015 drew to a close, fortune smiled upon me. I secured a ten-gunta expanse of land in close proximity to Nelamangala. The finalization of the purchase price set the wheels in motion for the intricate documentation process. I remained steadfast in my insistence on a meticulous “hadbast survey,” a procedure aimed at definitively demarcating the land’s boundaries.
This pursuit, however, proved to be a test of my patience and resilience. It spanned a grueling period of six to eight months, stretching into June of 2016, before the designated officers from the revenue department could finally inspect the land for the hadbast survey. To my dismay, it came to light that the land I had set my sights on had to be relocated. The existing owners had been erroneously practicing agriculture on the wrong parcels.
Rather than succumb to discouragement, I chose to abandon this particular land and persevered in my relentless pursuit of the ideal plot.
On a fortuitous day, one of my relatives paid a visit to my home, and during our conversation, I shared my aspiration of acquiring a piece of land. Without delay, he reached out to a contact he knew and swiftly arranged for us to explore available properties. Our journey commenced in the early hours, as we departed from Bangalore and made our way to Nelamangala for the first land viewing appointment of the day, accompanied by a knowledgeable broker.
This particular tract of land spanned a generous 3 acres, though only half of it was visible to the eye; the rest lay concealed beneath a thick canopy of shrubs and climbing vegetation. To my surprise, a deep affection for this wild and untamed parcel welled up within me. To my family’s delight, they, too, found themselves drawn to the rugged beauty of the land. In a twist of serendipity, the owner of the property happened to be present during our visit. He had arrived to showcase the land to a friend who shared an interest in its acquisition.
After a friendly exchange with the landowner, I seized the opportunity to express my keen interest in purchasing the land. We exchanged contact information and subsequently convened at a coffee house in Bangalore’s Malleshwaram district for the negotiation phase. While the owner initially set a high asking price, we engaged in amicable discussions and eventually reached an agreement, securing the land with a premium offer.
Finally on 19th of August we registered the land. This is how we built our farmhouse in this land which is just 30 minutes from Bangalore.