Jaisalmer is arid and parched. Desert brush dot the sands that appear to stretch endlessly. In the metropolis, the barrenness is equally pronounced, which makes the first look of Fort Rajwada much more spectacular.
The gates loom giant and majestic and the driveway curves previous inexperienced lawns to cease at ornate double doorways, intricately carved in sterling silver. Once you step by way of them you journey again in time to the land of maharajas, flying carpets and caparisoned elephants.
Except, this fort has solely been round for twenty years.
Vinay Khosla, managing director, Fort Rajwada, explains, “This is a built fort, one among the few hotels of this size constructed in 1999, with an intent to replicate the historic forts of the region.” He provides that it modified palms in 2017, and as soon as it got here into their possession, they started upgrading it as a lodge.
First, there’s the conventional welcome, full with aarti, tikka and a garland of marigolds. Next, a heat towel materialises on a salver and actually, it’s a little arduous to concentrate to those ministrations when the lobby is so charming.
Every seen floor exudes opulence — chandeliers, lush carpets, elaborate wallpaper, plush upholstery and carved stone pillars. The inside doorways, once more sterling silver, open out right into a courtyard walled off with turrets at every nook. An enormous marble fountain is flanked by walkways and nooks to the completely different wings of the fort that home the rooms.
Fort Rajwada
| Photo Credit:
Ruth Dhanaraj
Each wing sports activities a special motif (rosette, geometric, and the like), which is mirrored all through — from the accents on the room’s furnishings to the smaller fountain in the centre of that wing. The consideration to element is astounding. Four poster beds, wooden and rattan panelling, burnished brass fittings and minimize glass lights, add to the continued feeling of stateliness.
Once you’ve gotten settled in and shaken off your journey weariness, the lodge gives sightseeing journeys into the metropolis the place one can marvel at its beautiful historic structure, and indulge in sampling native wares, arts and crafts.
Back at the Fort, preparations are made for bonfires, people singers and puppet exhibits in the night for the leisure of company.
Indigenous supplies
The total color scheme at the fort is gold, cream and beige, offset by heat wooden and brilliant dwelling decor.
“For the exteriors, Jaisalmer stone or sandstone indigenous to the region has been used; its hue is why we are called the Golden City. Inside, we’ve used Botticino and Red Levante, both Italian marble, while the lobby is done up in white Makrana, an exquisite white stone mined in Rajasthan,” says Vinay.
Though their wallpaper has been created by a number of award-winning designers, Vinay says the partitions and ceiling of their reception space have been executed by hand. “Artisans from various regions of our country, including Shekhawati, took about three years to complete their work in our hotel.”
Fort Rajwada
| Photo Credit:
Ruth Dhanaraj
A brightly-coloured 20×20 mural depicting scenes from The Ramayana dominates one wall of the lobby. “We believe these 35 frames showing different instances from the epic will help guests understand our festivals and the celebration of good over evil,” says Vinay.
With a room rely of 99, the residing areas in Fort Rajwada have been designed to make company really feel at dwelling. The Elephant and Monkey Lounges full with well-stocked bookshelves, fake hearth and vintage Persian carpets (monogrammed by the craftsmen), give company the freedom to socialize in a sublime sitting room.
Indian miniatures from the Company School — artwork executed throughout the time of the East India Company, when European painters got here to India with their methods — line the corridors and an enormous Tanjore murals adorns the touchdown.
Past the first look
“Service providers are also service receivers,” says Vinay, explaining how they up to date the lodge. “Every product has a life cycle or a shelf life. If the same product is being stretched beyond its use it won’t make economic sense in the long run.”
According to Vinay, Fort Rajwada deploys sustainable strategies for the maintenance of the lodge. “Stone paint has a limited commercial life, so for us to enhance longevity, various tools and equipment are used on a regular basis.”
Fort Rajwada
| Photo Credit:
Ruth Dhanaraj
Being a desert, virtually each commodity in Rajasthan is tough to return by and is subsequently extra dearer than it will be elsewhere in the nation. Thankfully, the Fort runs an efficient rainwater harvesting and waste composting system. “With the hotel industry contributing to the world’s carbon emissions, it’s time for us to take sustainability measures and adopt more eco-friendly business practices,” says Vinay.
The author was in Jaisalmer on the invitation of Fort Rajwada
Getting there
The finest time to go to Jaisalmer is between October and March. As it’s a defence airport, flights are restricted however one can journey by highway from Jodhpur in 4.5 hours. With well-paved roads sporting barely a pothole, even the most delicate of automotive sick souls, is not going to have complaints.
Sightseeing in Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer Fort, Patwon Ki Haveli and the Jain Temples inside the Fort are the major sights. Many different edifices constructed utilizing comparable types will captivate these with an curiosity in historical past and structure.
Desert safaris and camel rides and tenting will enchantment to these keen to tough it out.
The Jaisalmer War Museum, Desert Culture Centre & Museum, Longewala War Memorial and Thar Heritage Museum beckon historical past buffs.
Gadisisar Sagar Lake, Kuldhara Abandoned Village, Akal Wood Fossil Park and Desert National Park are another sights other than shops promoting vintage ware and handicrafts of the area.
Fort Rajwada
| Photo Credit:
Ruth Dhanaraj
Published – April 21, 2025 06:21 pm IST
