Nainital: Nearly nine years after leaving the fast-paced life of Mumbai, Raghav Sharma has created a successful hospitality venture in Uttarakhand’s Kotabagh, proving that career success and a peaceful lifestyle can go hand in hand.
Today, Sharma runs three homestays, earns around ₹15 lakh annually, and lives a sustainable life surrounded by nature alongside his partner, Garima Bajaj, who is pursuing a PhD at IIT Madras.
Originally from Punjab, Sharma moved to Mumbai as a child and completed his schooling and flying training there. However, the city’s hectic lifestyle eventually prompted him to seek a different path.
Explaining his decision, Sharma said he wanted a slower and more intentional way of living.
“The constant rush, traffic and fast-paced lifestyle no longer aligned with the kind of life I wanted. The mountains offered a chance to build something meaningful while being closer to nature.”
After relocating to Kotabagh, Sharma initially ventured into organic farming before launching his first homestay.
Encouraged by its success, he gradually shifted his focus entirely to hospitality.
Today he:
- Operates three homestays
- Plans to open two more properties
- Earns approximately ₹15 lakh per year
His journey reflects the growing popularity of rural tourism and experiential stays in Uttarakhand.
Living at one of the homestays has also helped reduce daily expenses.
According to Sharma:
- There is no house rent
- Solar panels provide electricity, eliminating power bills
- He invests around ₹30,000–35,000 every month
- Investments include Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) and land purchases
The couple has adopted a lifestyle focused on sustainability and long-term financial planning.
Sharma’s partner, Garima Bajaj, has been working remotely from Uttarakhand while pursuing her PhD at IIT Madras.
Although she travels to Chennai whenever required for research, she says the mountains have always been her dream destination.
According to Sharma, the lifestyle allows her to balance academic ambitions with the peace and freedom of nature.
The couple shares their mountain home with three pet dogs—Talli, Julie and April.
Sharma’s parents also live nearby, just ten minutes away, along with three more family pets.
He says the close-knit community and natural surroundings have significantly improved their quality of life.
Despite his success, Sharma advises people not to romanticise mountain life.
He points out that living in the hills comes with practical challenges, including:
- Limited healthcare access
- Connectivity issues
- Infrastructure constraints
- Logistics challenges
He recommends spending significant time in the region before relocating and ensuring a stable source of income.
“Move because the lifestyle genuinely resonates with you, not just because you are trying to escape city life or following the trend.”
