12 Jan 2014
Its been a while since Ganeshmaam (of Sona's Kodial fame) has been talking about the Sona Organic Farm to Dineshanna. Our cousin gang found a mutually agreeable day on 12th to visit the farm and spend a day out there. Thus, on a bright January Sunday morning - we all assembled near Rekhakka's place with the intention of going to Dodda allada marra, a hydel project nearby culminating with a visit to organic farm.
Ganeshmaam had arranged for a car and had promised to meet us directly at his farm. With a total of 5 cars - we headed off - starting at 9:30. Onto Mysore road and a quick detour towards the big banyan tree, we reached the spot at around 11:30. It was quite a while since I had been to this place and the allada marra picture I had in mind was no longer true. The place around the tree has sprouted a lot of shops selling stuff. The tree itself has been en caged in a fence. Benches and Pathways across the span of the tree has killed it of the old charm. Nevertheless, spent around an hour her, clicked some snaps and carried on to the next destination - the hydel project. Around 20kms from the Banyan tree - was this small dam with a fairly decent en-catchment area. Due to security reasons surrounding such areas we were not allowed onto the dam or the
project. Contented to have a look from far and a 15 min break we got on our way to the farm. The road being empty and well maintained, a bit of F1 was induced into the drivers much to the delight of the kids.
Reached the farm (Situated inbetween the Magadi Road-Tumkur Road connection) at around 1:15 and we were (obviously) famished. Ganeshmaam was at the farm as he had promised and the spread setup was an absolute delight to the gastronomic juices. On the vegetarian side there was fried patrode, avarekkai ghashi, tendle talasana and our good old dalithoy (of course no amchigele jevan is complete without it). For the other category there was ragi mudde with chicken saaru, chicken kabab and fish fry. We were all rather hungry and attacked the table with full gusto. 
Most of the vegetables are grown around in the 2 acres around the farm. The farmhouse has been very well made with a sit out of sort, a couple of rooms which are naturally cooled (by the stone slab overhead) and an open kitchen with some old exhibits. 2 cows, a couple of turkeys and some sheep complete the farm family. Carrots, tomatoes, cabbage are grown in house. Fruits such as Papaya, mango and banana are on their way. Though we had planned for some physical activity after lunch, the heavy sumptuous fare ensured that all of us had over-eaten and the max physical activity we could get was dumb charades. Around an hour later we went on a short walk around the farm. After some photo shoots around, we left for the day promising to return on another day for the lovely food and for an overnight stay. 