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Avantika Chaturvedi profile imageAvantika ChaturvediPublished on

With World Book Day being observed on 23 April, we round up a list of snug homestays across the country whose libraries make for apt escapes

7 Indian homes with cosy libraries to spend curled up at this World Book Day

With World Book Day being observed on 23 April, we round up a list of snug homestays across the country whose libraries make for apt escapes

At some point a couple of years ago, UNESCO caught on to the fact that several legendary writers the world over were either born or had died on 23 April. It was only prudent then to declare this day as World Book Day. Miguel de Cervantes, William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth and Satyajit Ray are only a handful of what is otherwise a long list of literary heroes serendipitously claiming this date around the world.

Almost a century later, the world has moved on to an era where apparently “video is the future” and the written word is struggling to take its last few breaths. Yet, some have continued to hold on to their collections of books, despite the world around them turning “smarter” by the minute. For such heroes, a getaway to a quiet corner of the country with a fully-stacked library to disappear to is the only appropriate prize.

The Attic Library, Bir (Himachal Pradesh)When Delhi-based digital marketer Jyotsna moved to Bir, she found a traditional Himachali cottage to turn into a bed-and-breakfast space. “But it was only when we put the wooden ceiling in place, and I was left with an empty attic, that I knew that I was going to build a library here.” Jyotsna has since sifted through mountains of books in the Old Books Market in Delhi and even had some travel from her parental house to make the library what it is today. True to its name, the attic, with a sunroof above and a rug handwoven by a local artisan below, houses a wall-to-wall bookshelf for guests to enjoy.

The Attic Library, Bir (Himachal Pradesh)

When Delhi-based digital marketer Jyotsna moved to Bir, she found a traditional Himachali cottage to turn into a bed-and-breakfast space. “But it was only when we put the wooden ceiling in place, and I was left with an empty attic, that I knew that I was going to build a library here.” Jyotsna has since sifted through mountains of books in the Old Books Market in Delhi and even had some travel from her parental house to make the library what it is today. True to its name, the attic, with a sunroof above and a rug handwoven by a local artisan below, houses a wall-to-wall bookshelf for guests to enjoy.

The Fern Cottage, Landour (Uttarakhand)The Fern Cottage is a labour of love built by photographer Karam Puri. Seated deep in the oak, rhododendron and pine forests of Landour, the library at The Fern Cottage houses books on topics ranging from art and photography to mountaineering and even military history. The warm interiors, French windows overlooking the forest and over 300 books to choose from, are reasons enough why Puri calls this “a cottage for dreamers and writers”.

The Fern Cottage, Landour (Uttarakhand)

The Fern Cottage is a labour of love built by photographer Karam Puri. Seated deep in the oak, rhododendron and pine forests of Landour, the library at The Fern Cottage houses books on topics ranging from art and photography to mountaineering and even military history. The warm interiors, French windows overlooking the forest and over 300 books to choose from, are reasons enough why Puri calls this “a cottage for dreamers and writers”.

Salban Homestay, Kanha Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh)When Sheema, a writer and publisher in her previous life and Jhampan, a wildlife conservationist left the woes of the city behind to start a life in the midst of nature, it was no surprise that a homestay in the heart of Kanha Tiger Reserve with a rich library came to life. Salban’s library sits in a long, open corridor on the first floor, with cupboards dedicated to books on natural history, travel books, books on food and wine, fiction, art and so on. Image: Meghana Kulkarni

Salban Homestay, Kanha Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh)

When Sheema, a writer and publisher in her previous life and Jhampan, a wildlife conservationist left the woes of the city behind to start a life in the midst of nature, it was no surprise that a homestay in the heart of Kanha Tiger Reserve with a rich library came to life. Salban’s library sits in a long, open corridor on the first floor, with cupboards dedicated to books on natural history, travel books, books on food and wine, fiction, art and so on. 


Image: Meghana Kulkarni

Sitla Estate, Mukteshwar (Uttarakhand)Sitla Estate is a charming 150-year-old part mud, part stone house that sits cocooned in the foothills of the Kumaon Himalayas. The homestay’s library consists of books that the Maira family has collected for years and passed down from generation to generation. This sprawling, 40-acre family estate is a paradise for those looking to switch off and spend their days tucked away with a book (or few) in hand – whether inside the homestay’s cosy library or under a blooming apricot tree.

Sitla Estate, Mukteshwar (Uttarakhand)

Sitla Estate is a charming 150-year-old part mud, part stone house that sits cocooned in the foothills of the Kumaon Himalayas. The homestay’s library consists of books that the Maira family has collected for years and passed down from generation to generation. This sprawling, 40-acre family estate is a paradise for those looking to switch off and spend their days tucked away with a book (or few) in hand – whether inside the homestay’s cosy library or under a blooming apricot tree.

The Belgadia Palace, Mayurbhanj (Odisha)The Belgadia Palace was first built by Maharani Sumitra Devi Bhanj Deo in 1804. Today, the sixth-generation princess sisters have converted the palace into a heritage property, keeping in mind the ethos of the era it was built in. At the centre of it all, is their library hall which houses books reminiscent of the 200 years’ worth of stories the palace has been a spectator of. From the Paik Rebellion of 1817 to both World Wars and finally the Swadeshi Movement and beyond, the book at the Palace’s library connects present-day guests to its historic past.

The Belgadia Palace, Mayurbhanj (Odisha)

The Belgadia Palace was first built by Maharani Sumitra Devi Bhanj Deo in 1804. Today, the sixth-generation princess sisters have converted the palace into a heritage property, keeping in mind the ethos of the era it was built in. At the centre of it all, is their library hall which houses books reminiscent of the 200 years’ worth of stories the palace has been a spectator of. From the Paik Rebellion of 1817 to both World Wars and finally the Swadeshi Movement and beyond, the book at the Palace’s library connects present-day guests to its historic past.

Bookman’s BnB, Gangtok (Sikkim)Bookman’s BnB is a part of the trifecta of every reader-traveller’s dreams – a bookshop, a café and a BnB, all in one place. Independent bookstore Rachna Books along with Café Fiction is the perfect place to attend a vibrant, cultural evening over freshly brewed coffee in Gangtok before escaping upstairs with a book from their carefully curated collection to a snug private room at Bookman’s.

Bookman’s BnB, Gangtok (Sikkim)

Bookman’s BnB is a part of the trifecta of every reader-traveller’s dreams – a bookshop, a café and a BnB, all in one place. Independent bookstore Rachna Books along with Café Fiction is the perfect place to attend a vibrant, cultural evening over freshly brewed coffee in Gangtok before escaping upstairs with a book from their carefully curated collection to a snug private room at Bookman’s.

Vaatalya Community Retreat, Solan (Himachal Pradesh)What was initially a barren piece of land on a mountaintop with an unobstructed 360-degree view of mountains from almost every district of Himachal Pradesh, is now an invite-only community retreat which focuses on mindfulness and slow living. The view of the mountains, however, lives on. Vaatalya’s expansive library features books that reflect the pillars on which this retreat was originally built. These include tomes on natural medicine, permaculture, philosophy, Osho and more.Image: Tripadvisor.com

Vaatalya Community Retreat, Solan (Himachal Pradesh)

What was initially a barren piece of land on a mountaintop with an unobstructed 360-degree view of mountains from almost every district of Himachal Pradesh, is now an invite-only community retreat which focuses on mindfulness and slow living. The view of the mountains, however, lives on. Vaatalya’s expansive library features books that reflect the pillars on which this retreat was originally built. These include tomes on natural medicine, permaculture, philosophy, Osho and more.

Image: Tripadvisor.com

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