Why Khimsar, Rajasthan should be on your bucket list !

After enjoying the delicacies of Jaipur we move on to Khimsar, a small town in Rajasthan,about 280 km  (6 hr drive)from Jaipur. The sun was at its peak  when we approached The Khimsar Sand Dunes Village. It’s a man-made oasis built-in the middle of the desert accessible only on bullock carts and jeep. We loaded our luggage and ourselves on the cart and proceeded towards the water. It was love at first sight. Serene and quiet. The sand was warm but soft. Our cottage was basic yet comfortable. Mud huts with Rajasthani motifs and architecture was rustic yet pleasant.

Getting transported to the oasis on a bullock cart.

Enjoying the view from our balcony

The oasis,in the middle of the dunes

Our room with basic aminities

which we were a bit taller.

walking up the dunes

quirky table top , called for a quick pic .

 

Since we were the only guests there at the Dune Village we were requested to stay at the Khimsar Fort instead. I was disappointed,but when I saw the fort I was mesmerised by its beauty and rich history. Khimsar Fort (now an ITC Hotels property).Spread over eleven acres of sprawling lawns, orchards and open courtyards, in the midst of sand dunes,  Welcome Hotel  Khimsar is unspoilt and well-preserved like a royal manor. Established in the 15th century by a scion of the house of Jodhpur, its history is reflected in the architecture of its fortified castle. The Fort was being decorated with saffron and orange cloth to mark a wedding in the Royal family that weekend.The vintage cars displayed was an added attraction to the fort. “Kesaria balam aao ji,padharo mhare desh”, a Rajasthani folk song started to play in my mind in loops.

The decorated fort and its beauty.

The Khimsar Fort

The tall clock tower hosts a roof top restaurant too.

This fort has two temples too.

The fortress was built in 1523 by Rao Karamsji, the 8th son of Rao Jodha of Jodhpur. This old part of the Fort was our venue for dinner and cultural activities

 

I was in awe of the place , we were given a room in Sneh Mahal (A palace of love) ,the courtyard was big ,where the pigeons fed and the peacocks danced in the morning. We freshened up quickly to head out to the terrace to enjoy the setting sun that evening.

Us , on the terrace, enjoying the setting sun and the cool breeze. Me wearing a rajasthai print cotton dress with local bag and glass bangles .

matching with the fort,i am wearing a cotton rajasthani print dress with matching beaded jewellery

the setting sun from the terrace.

Sun set and me , from our room

Our Courtyard witha fountain all made with pink sandstone and marble

Sneh Mahal ,were we were the kind and the queen

 

As the sun went down the lights in the fort came up making it look majestic and mesmerizing. We were invited for a cultural program in the fort followed by dinner. The Karbelia dancers danced to the tune of popular Rajasthani folklore, while the men dressed in whites and colourful turban played music. The handmade puppets shared a story of their own and the magician played some tricks on us too. Dinner was at the old Fort,lavish and delicious. The rajasthani flavours exploded  in our mouths while the folk songs filled the atmosphere. The nip in the air added romance and left us drenched in happiness.

The lights at the fort

The folk songs sung by local singers

Karbelia dancers showing there skills with pots and fire

The puppet show, a dying form of stoty telling

Dinner and us

Me with the karbelia dancers, yes I did learn a few moves too

 

Next morning we bid adieu to Khimsar and its hospitality and made our way towards Jaiselmer. We left Khimsar with memories to cherish for a life time .

Happiness and sunshine

Nidhi