She Left a Corporate Career to Build a Homestay in Her Ancestral Home

For many, success means a high paying corporate job and a senior position at a leading company. But Himachal Pradesh’s Tarana Chauhan chose a different path. After working as a Senior Business Analyst at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and global company Anheuser-Busch InBev, she gave up her ₹24 lakh annual salary and transformed her century-old ancestral house in Rohru into a successful homestay called ‘Nirvana Homes’. During the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, Tarana returned to her hometown and began dreaming of a life closer to nature. However, she did not quit her job immediately. For two years, she continued working while renovating the old house and initially started the homestay with just three rooms.

Tarana says running a homestay in the hills is far from simply enjoying the scenic surroundings. With no separate departments, she handles everything from reception and housekeeping to plumbing and electrical work. She has also had to deal with challenges such as pipe leaks, power cuts and changing gas cylinders on her own. So far, Nirvana Homes has hosted more than 200 tourists. Her monthly income varies significantly, crossing ₹5 lakh in some months while falling below ₹1 lakh in others. Despite giving up a stable salary, Tarana says the freedom and control she has over her time and life give her greater satisfaction.