The ‘Hobbit Home’ has been built by 29-year-old Asakho Chase in the outskirts of Khonoma village. (Photo Courtesy: Asakho Chase)
Vishü Rita Krocha
Kohima | August 8
JRR Tolkien fans can now live out their fantasy of living in the shire of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ right here in Nagaland, where 29-year-old adventure enthusiast Asakho Chase has built a ‘Hobbit Home’ in the outskirts of Khonoma village.
With inspiration drawn from his travels, the Hobbit Home is an outcome of his genuine love for adventure. When he started building the home last November, it was primarily with the idea to spend his holidays there. However, the completion of this personal project has drawn a lot of attention even as he shares, “So many people have shown interest. I did not expect people would want to visit. It was built in the simplest way possible…in the pure wild.”
The Hobbit Home has a kitchen and can accommodate about 5-7 people with other basic facilities. Since the Hobbit Home came to light, Asakho Chase has received more than 50 bookings. “Initially, I built it only for myself but since people have shown interest to come and stay, so maybe they can visit once Khonoma is open,” he says while interacting with The Morung Express.
“I do not want people to have very high expectations because it is very basic. It is not luxurious but if you want to stay, it is adjustable,” he says. While sharing that he is not professionally trained to be in the travel industry, he also expressed concern on the problem of littering caused by travelers. “I want people to appreciate nature, enjoy the place, but also be responsible wherever they go,” he emphasizes.
The Hobbit Home was built with the help of his friends and took months to complete it. “Sometimes, I worked alone but my friends are always ready to help…it is like a tradition in the village, whenever we need support, people are always there to extend their help,” he expresses. Next year, he plans to construct more of such homes.
Asakho Chase further talks about his love for travelling. “I am a very adventurous guy. I like travelling and exploring new places,” he shares while recalling undergoing one of the most difficult treks that takes about 2 days and requires camping on the way. “This place is called Tehutsa. You have to cross Khonoma Dzükou and go through the deepest jungle to get here,” he says, while adding that he first learnt about the place from his grandfather.
This particular trek left him spellbound, he says; even as he goes on to describe the experience as ‘unspeakable joy’.
“Trekking is not only about reaching a particular place, but it starts the moment you plan. And there are so many small things we learn along the way,” he adds.
Asakho Chase currently works at Charis High Academy in Chümoukedima as Physical Education Teacher and dreams of becoming a football coach. Towards this end, he is also on his way to getting a license. He did his schooling from St John Bosco School Khonoma and as a Class-9 student, represented Nagaland at the National level under 16. “Those days, I played as midfielder,” he fondly recollects.
He is a graduate of Kohima College and further pursued a course in Physical Education at Dibrugarh before he started working.
