What We Know: This retreat by the sea lets you slow down, enjoy beach picnics and get acquainted with Mamallapuram

Turn off that alarm. You do not need it. At Isai Karai, you are woken by chatty birds, a bright stream of sunlight, and the excitement about what is going to be served for breakfast.The new property by CGH Earth Saha, about 10 kilometres from central Mamallapuram, is tucked away in the midst of greenery, and is just about 150 metres from the beach. The sounds of the sea, and the breeze that rustles leaves, makes your body let loose, shoulders relax, jaws unclench, and calms the mind. “As travel preferences evolved, we noticed a growing inclination towards smaller, more intimate holiday spaces that offer greater privacy yet personalised service, and thoughtfully curated experiences. ” explains George Joseph, vice president, Operations, CGH Earth., In response to this shift — and guided by the ethos of CGH Earth — Saha was conceived Latest updates suggest that, These include hand-picked cosy escapes like heritage villas steeped in history, and serene bungalow retreats that exude an artistic charm, he adds.Spread across half an acre, Isai Karai is a collaboration between the owner Mahitha Ravilla and CGH Earth that oversees and curates the hospitality experience. The 50-year-old property comprises Vasunthara villa with three rooms and a dining and living area, with the two Kurumba cottages adjacent to it offering a little more privacy. A lady draws a kolam at the entrance | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement I am given the room on the first floor of the villa. Each room is designed differently. Some have open-to-sky showers. Latest updates suggest that, A wrap-around terrace runs along my spacious room. In a recent development, are two diwans by the windows on either side, and a four poster bed so high that there is a high rectangular footstool to climb up., Inside The interiors at Isai Karai are an ode to Mamallapuram’s art and cultural heritage. The rooms are awash with vibrant paintings and stone sculptures that reflect this town’s centuries-old stone carving tradition. Antique furniture dots the rooms. The cushion covers have images of crabs and lobsters. According to recent reports, “The house has retained most of its original charm just as Ms Mahitha intended it, with only a few thoughtful updates to enhance comfort and functionality. In a recent development, Every décor piece, painting, and artefact has been personally chosen by her over the years, making the home a deeply personal reflection of her aesthetic sensibilities and warm personality,” mentions George.Garden freshAs I make my way through the bright living room to the kitchen, Kavitha Vignesh, the very efficient and cheerful manager of the villa, greets me with her trademark warm smile, a platter of cheese and dried fruits and a plateful of cut watermelon, bananas, and papaya. Latest updates suggest that, “The papaya is from our garden,” she beams as she takes us on a quick tour while breakfast is prepared. There are mango, papaya, mulberry, star fruit, Chinese orange, gooseberry, chikoo and guava trees, and a garden bed with brinjal, chilli, and coriander. Latest updates suggest that, Barbecue by the pool | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Here, there is no menu to order from. The meals are cooked fresh with local produce; simple flavours that are resolutely South Indian, primarily influenced by cuisine from Tamil Nadu. Latest updates suggest that, The kitchen staff have it all planned out but they also adapt to your requirements and effortlessly rework the menu. New information indicates that, ” mentions Kavita as we tuck into scrambled eggs, bread, and crisp dosas for breakfast.In the mornings, one can hear a purposeful telephonic conversation between the kitchen staff and fishermen., “Sometimes our guests want soup and Continental fare too Latest updates suggest that, what the guests would like to have. and They busily discuss the fresh catch of the day “Today we have vanjaram, squid, and red snapper,” mentions Kavitha as she brings us glasses of chilled panakkam (a traditional cooling drink made with dry ginger powder, pepper, ginger, cardamom, jaggery, and a dash of lemon juice).The property is great for lazing, soaking in Nature, reading, and enjoying me time but what it also aims to do is acquaint clients with Mamallapuram and activities like surfing that have become popular along the ECR.Hats on, let’s exploreOur first stop is, what our local guide Dileep calls, the scultpure hub of Mamallapuram. The sounds of chisels and electric drills fill the air and fine granite powder floats around us. “There are more than 200 carving units here. Other than stone, the artisans also work with wood and metal,” he explains. These artisans go abroad to make sculptures, often commissioned by the Indian communities there. Nowadays, the work is completed 50% by hand and the rest using machinery, mentions Dileep as we observe a sculptor carving abs on a small statue of lord Hanuman. This is like a trailer to the magnum opus that we witness next. A sculptor at work in Mamallapuram | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Today is about a splash of history, a slice of nostalgia under the hot Chennai sun. it is time for me to revisit the Shore Temple and all the architectural marvels of the region., After living in this city for 35 years In a recent development, I was five when I first saw some of these monolithic wonders in stone. when my father made me pose against Arjuna’s Penance, Pancha Rathas, and the Shore Temple., Those were the days of film cameras Each shot well mulled over to do justice to the 36 pictures the 35mm roll permitted. This time around, things are different: I am armed with a camera phone and take multiple shots of the same structures, with the luxury of shortlisting the best ones later. But the fascination for shooting the sun behind the Shore Temple still remains, as does the desire to do the mandatory ‘push pose’ against Krishna’s Butter Ball. I remember similar pictures from an old album at home. The Butter Ball still baffles me. “In 1934, the British considered it a safety hazard and tried to move it with seven elephants but the stone didn’t budge,” explains Dileep animatedly.These relics abound in mystery and awe. Created by the Pallava dynasty, it is fascinating to note how some of these intricate temples and carvings were made almost 1,400 years ago without modern machinery and technology. started in 2013 by Raja Mohamed who travelled across 50-plus countries to collect and showcase 40,000-plus shells, and the other is the lighthouse that was built in the early 1900s., Among the more recent highlights to check out are the India Seashell Museum According to recent reports, Made of natural stone, the 26-metre tall tower looks like it wears a red Paddington Bear hat that grandly sits atop the glass lantern room. is believed to be the first lighthouse of India. and Nearby is the Olakkannesvara temple that was built in the 7th Century It is stated that fires were lit here to guide ships sailing along the Coromandel Coast. Kavitha calls., Arjuna’s Penance | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Just like grandmom’s houseAs I head back “Where are you ma’am? Latest updates suggest that, Your evening snack is ready,” she mentions. A surprise awaits in the form of a picnic by the beach. Cosy chairs are set up against a table laden with fresh watermelon juice, bajji, and a tiered dessert stand with orange cake (made from oranges in the garden), fruits and cookies. It really feels like being in your grandmother’s house over the summer holidays. The living room in Isai Karai | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement In the evening, post a swim in the pool, I am treated to a barbecue dinner by the poolside. Little white flowers fall from the tree above creating a carpet all around me. The whiff from the grill piques my appetite. juicy prawns, squid — and chicken along with grilled pineapple, veggies and herbed rice hit the spot., Fresh catch of the day — trevally Dessert is banana flambe and ice cream which I tuck into at the porch, lazing on a plantation chair, enjoying slow living and the sounds of silence.CGH Earth Saha Isai Karai is located at 67/28 B East Coast Road, Krishnan Karanai Village, Nemmeli Panchayat, Thiruporur, Nemmeli. 000., Tariff starts at ₹10 Picnic by the beach | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement One of the rooms | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement The poolside | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Breakfast | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Shore Temple | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement