Chai & Bhajiya Trails: The Monsoon Combo Every Mumbaikar Swears By

Chai and bhajiya combo during monsoon at forest café near Mumbai

Because When It Rains, We Crave Warmth That Crunches

There are some experiences so universal, so deeply rooted in local memory, that they become cultural rituals. For Mumbaikars, chai and bhajiya during the monsoon is one such ritual. It’s not a snack—it’s a feeling. A comforting rhythm. A pause that tastes like home.

When those first dark clouds roll over the Mumbai skyline, you don’t need a weather app to tell you what time it is. It's chai-o’clock. And whether you’re commuting through chaos or escaping to nature, your heart starts craving that sacred combo: a hot cup of ginger-laced chai and a plate of onion bhajiyas still sizzling from the kadhai.

Now imagine enjoying this combo not from your office canteen or a crowded city tapri, but from a forest café, under a canopy of trees, with birds calling, mist rolling in, and the soft patter of rain all around. That’s the monsoon dream Nature Trails Resorts has bottled—and served piping hot.
 

Why Chai & Bhajiyas Are Monsoon’s True Soulmates


Every great duo in the world works because of contrast and complement—yin and yang, melody and rhythm, chai and bhajiya. Here’s why they hit different during the rains:

  • Crunchy warmth cuts through the damp chill of the monsoon air
  • Masala chai isn’t just a beverage—it’s a memory in every sip
  • Spices like ginger, ajwain, and green chilli light a comforting fire inside
  • The setting—misty hills, wet leaves, distant thunder—amplifies every bite

It’s not just food. It’s therapy—served in steel tumblers, on leaf plates, or straight from a forest tapri. One bite and one sip at a time, it wraps you in a warm, delicious hug.
 

The Forest Café Experience at Nature Trails


What makes the chai-bhajiya ritual even more special is the setting—and this is where Nature Trails Resorts brings its magic. With locations tucked inside forests, alongside rivers, and nestled at the base of the Sahyadri hills, every Nature Trails property turns a simple snack into a soulful, sensory experience.

Durshet Forest Lodge (Khopoli)

  • Sip spiced masala chai under rain shelters with views of lush forest canopy
  • Perfect after a zipline session or a forest trek
  • Try kanda-batata bhajiyas with their signature mint-coconut dip
  • Evening campfire sessions often end with hot chai passed around in kettles

Sajan Nature Trails (Vikramgad)

  • Enjoy farm-fresh bhajiyas made with locally grown onions and chillies
  • Served with tribal-style chutneys made from forest herbs
  • Tea brewed on a wood-fired stove, enjoyed in handmade clay cups
  • Dine under bamboo shelters with birdsong and breeze for company

Kundalika Rafting Camp (Kolad)

  • After a thrilling rafting session, tuck into a hearty bhajiya platter
  • Chai is served in steel tumblers with lemongrass and jaggery
  • Ideal pitstop on your way to Goa or Lonavala from Mumbai

Wherever you go, it’s not just about what’s on your plate—it’s about what’s around you. Forests. Raindrops. Laughter. And that warm fog that forms when hot chai meets cool mist.
 

What’s on the Tapri Menu at Nature Trails?


Just because you're in a forest doesn't mean your choices are limited. Each Nature Trails café curates a regional, comforting, and slightly elevated twist on classic snacks.

Here’s what’s usually sizzling during the rains:

  • Onion Bhajiya: The all-time favorite. At Nature Trails, they use fresh coriander, local spices, and fry them crisp on order. Best eaten piping hot with tamarind-chilli chutney.
  • Batata Bhajiya (Potato Fritters): Crispy on the outside, soft and steamy on the inside. Often served with green chutney made with pudina and a dash of lemon.
  • Chilli Cheese Pakoda: Green chillies stuffed with cheese, battered and deep-fried. A spicy, gooey surprise—loved by kids and adults alike.
  • Herbal Chai Options: Choose between lemongrass-adrak chai, tulsi-chai, or the timeless masala chai brewed with cardamom and cloves.
  • Bonus Treat: You might occasionally find hot sabudana vadas, methi na gota, or rainy-season bhutte (corn) roasted on open flame!

Every snack is made to order. Every cup is brewed fresh. It’s not fast food—it’s slow joy.
 

Guest Sip


“I thought I knew bhajiyas. I’ve had them on Marine Drive, at tapris near CST, even in posh cafes. But then I had them here—in the middle of a forest, with the smell of wet leaves and the sound of peacocks in the distance. My phone stayed in my pocket. My smile didn’t.”
– Vaibhav M., Bandra

At Nature Trails, it’s not just a snack break. It’s a story you’ll remember every monsoon after.
 

Plan Your Monsoon Weekend the Chai-Bhajiya Way


So what are your options this season? You could stay stuck in the city traffic, watching Instagram stories of people enjoying the rains Or you could be that person—with muddy shoes, foggy glasses, a full heart, and a half-eaten bhajiya in hand.

Here’s how to make it happen:


This Monsoon, Don’t Just Drink Chai. Remember It.

Rainy days will come and go. But that one chai you had—served hot under a tin roof, with steam rising, laughter echoing, and the forest breathing around you—that will stay.

Whether you're a born Mumbaikar or a monsoon-lover from elsewhere, let this season be not just wet, but warm. Not just damp, but delicious. Reserve your monsoon weekend escape at Nature Trails. Come for the chai. Stay for the story.

To book your stay:

Call us at +91 7969269803
Visit www.naturetrails.in to book your stay online or submit an Enquiry Form and we’ll get back to you with customized options for your school.

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