About Us
Tooth Mountain Farms
About Tooth Mountain Farms
Our Philosophy – Preserve. Protect. Promote.
Tooth Mountain Farms wishes to preserve, protect and promote ancient systems of farming, cultivation and living, using modern technology when required, not tampering with nature. We prove that luxury can be a reality without destroying natural reality.
Our Story
From our family to yours, the journey has been a rewarding one!
A labour of love that began in 2006, started with a simple wish of a plant-lover to have her own land to nurture her “babies”. TMF started as a plant nursery initially. The land acquisition itself took over 15 years now consisting of a total of 20 acres.
It was a place where Neelam could put her entire collection of plants and bonsai. She often tells us that they are her real children, and she loves them more than she loves her own children. The flora fauna on this land inspire Tooth Mountain Farms to be what it is..
A rudimentary farm house was constructed by Mr. Prem Sagar and their wife, Mrs. Neelam Sagar for their weekend getaways. It was their retirement home away from the bustling city.
Soon, the founders pitched a man-made lake, built a swimming pool, and additional rooms. We received our first corporate booking as a viable Bed-and-Breakfast place on the weekends. Initially, guests could cook on their own or get their own cooks.
The founders then built the famous ‘Basant Rani’, a favourite of Mr. Shiv Sagar. They also carried out a pond-lining technique for better water conservation for agriculture and local flora.
It was becoming very important to have a kitchen and restaurant, keeping in mind the future expansion of TMF. So, it was designed by our beloved and renowned interior designer Shabnam Gupta. The construction took over 1.5 years.
TMF soon went all-organic as we stopped the use of pesticides and produced our own greens. In 2020, we completed our land acquisition, and with that continued our journey to provide a boutique farm stay to eager nature-lovers.
About the Founders
Shiv Sagar
Although often mistaken for being associated with the “Shiv Sagar” fast-food chain, Shiv Sagar’s journey is uniquely his own. A graduate of the prestigious Les Roches Swiss Hotel Management School in Switzerland, Shiv earned his Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management in 1999, graduating Summa Cum Laude and receiving two gold medals. During his time at Les Roches, he gained invaluable experience interning at notable establishments like The Renaissance Hotel in Zurich, Juhu Centaur Hotel in Mumbai, and The Leela Hotel in Mumbai.
Despite coming from a film family, Shiv’s passion for hospitality and the food industry has been evident from an early age. Upon returning to India after his studies, he transformed a family-owned hotel in Kullu-Manali, Himachal Pradesh, called Sagar Resort, into a thriving 50-room establishment. He managed the operations and marketing of the resort for five years.
In 2004, Shiv completed his MBA from the Indian School of Business. Following his MBA, he embarked on an ambitious project to develop a mythological theme park on family-owned land in Haridwar. Although he secured $1 million in investments from NRIs, the project unfortunately never came to fruition.
Shiv then ventured into television production in 2008, with his first successful show “Mahima Shani Dev Ki” on NDTV Imagine becoming an instant hit. Over the years, he produced several successful television shows like “Jai Jai Jai Bajrang Bali,” “Jai Jagjanani Maa Durga,” “Basera,” and “Vikram and Betal,” along with award-winning short films. He also directed a 3D film for the Gujarat Government titled “Arasuri Maa Ambe.”
In 2014, Shiv returned to his first love—hospitality. He transformed the family farmhouse into Tooth Mountain Farms – Neelam Farm Stay, a boutique farm stay in Karjat. His dedication to acquiring land in Karjat since 2005 laid the foundation for this project, also paving the way for other ventures like Art Village, Karjat. His passion extends to farming and agro-tourism, where he continually expands his knowledge. Shiv has a unique connection with land, seeing it as a living entity that communicates with those willing to listen. His vision is to develop and nurture land, creating sustainable and future-proof facilities.
Neelam Sagar
With over 40 years of experience in horticulture, bonsai, flower arrangement, and landscaping, Neelam Sagar is an expert in her field. She studied at the esteemed Ikebana Ohara Chapter in Mumbai, completing her second master’s after an intensive seven-year course under her guru Lalita Kalmbi. Neelam further honed her skills in Japan and under the guidance of Jyoti and Nikunj Parekh and Sujay Shah.
In 2005, Neelam established Tooth Mountain Nursery, which has since undertaken numerous prestigious projects, including Yash Raj Studio and the residences of several film stars and producers like Aditya Chopra, Rani Mukerji, Priyanka Chopra, Preity Zinta, Parineeti Chopra etc. Her work extends to various restaurant spaces like The Bar Stock Exchange, WTF, Social, and Sassy Spoon. With projects spanning across India, she has made a significant impact on the industry.
Through her dedication and expertise, Neelam has achieved the remarkable feat of growing orchids and high-end ferns on dry wood in the Karjat climate. Every plant and bit of greenery at Tooth Mountain Farms is a testament to her skill and care. Additionally, she is the creative force behind the delicious home-cooked meals served here, all made from her own recipes. Her meticulous attention to detail ensures the extreme cleanliness and overall management of the farm stay.
Together, Shiv and Neelam Sagar have built Tooth Mountain Farms – Neelam Farm Stay into a haven that combines hospitality, sustainability, and a deep love for nature.