Another poet / novelist whom we often remember is Thomas Hardy. We are truly “Far from the Madding Crowd.” Being “Under the Greenwood Tree” and having endless fun is an everyday experience at The Kurumba Village Resort.

The name of the Resort simply reflects our desire to retain whatever is available of our ancient heritage. One of the five ancient tribes of the Nilgiris (Todas, Kothas, Kurumbas, Irulas and Badagas), the Kurumbas were (and are) closest in being in tune with the beauties as well as rigors of nature .There are several sects of them; the names of all those groups speak of their intimate connections with nature – our reason for the choice of the name of the Resort. According to the author of Cultures and Tribes of South India, the different sects of Kurumbas are offshoots of the original Kadu Kurumbas (Kadu = Forest). There are others such as Betta (mountain) Kurumbas, Ane (elephant) Kurumbas, Bevina (neem) Kurumbas, Jenu (honey) Kurumbas, Mullu (thorn) Kurumbas and Mannu (earth) Kurumbas. They used to exist only with what they found in the forest such as roots of wild yams, honey and, perhaps, a few animals they hunted.

Kurumba is the Tamilised name of either Kuruma or Kuruba in the native tongue. The sect that inhabited Burliar and its surroundings worshipped Kuribattaraya (a male deity which meant the Lord of many sheep) and Musnie (a female deity, on the lines of Goddess Shakthi). They also had another deity called Hiriabetta. The Kurumba faith spoke of all beings turning ‘devas’ after their death; the kind ones became creative ‘devas’ and the others became destructive devas.

We in our Kurumba Village Resort appreciated many of the fundamental principles of these ancient people and decided to perpetuate their name. Our wish is also to help our guests live more in tune with the Infinity.