A royal stay in a 16th-century fort turned hotel, located in a small village tucked in a corner of the majestic Thar Desert, with the Sand Dunes Resort as its neighbour — Khimsar in Rajasthan is where dreamy rustic holidays come to life. By Chandrani Pal
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Khimsar, a small village located at the edge of the great Thar Desert in Rajasthan’s Nagaur district, just two hours away from Jodhpur, houses the 16th-century Khimsar Fort that’s replete with centuries of history.
Established in 1523, by Rao Kharamsji, son of Jodhpur’s founder Rao Jodha, from the Karamsot clan, the fort was the primary place of Karamsot Rathores. Later in the 18th century, ‘zenena‘ or the ‘ladies wing’ was developed, after which the family moved to the Khimsar Fort. And further, in the 1940s, a regal wing was added by Rao Jodha’s 17th descendant, Thakur Onkar Singh.
The fort has now been converted into a hotel, but scions of the royal family continue to reside in a part of it. This eminent fort offers to its guests an enchanting encounter with the rich heritage of Rajasthan.
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As you enjoy a cup of tea on the porches here, you will find yourself encircled by sections of land filled with lavish green nurseries, and find yourself in the company of peacocks, parrots, pigeons and other feathered friends. Later, a supper in the open with live performances by Rajasthani folk singers and dancers, a puppet show, and a magic show, will only add up to the already royal charm of the place.
Just six kilometres from the fort lies the Sand Dunes Village, comprising of luxurious eco-friendly huts and a mini lake; this place also offers the facility of camel rides into the wild desert countryside or a jeep safari into the blackbuck reserve.
When in Rajasthan, you obviously can’t afford to miss out on the authentic cuisine comprising of some lip-smacking dishes, such as laal maas, gatta curry, dal baati churma, etc., and some local specialities of Khimsar such as dal khimsar, murgh khimsar, dhaudhar kebab, mangori kebab, etc. All this and more followed by desserts, such as meethi boondi, mal pua, jalebi, and balu sahi are sure to please the foodie in you.
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Moreover, for all the shopaholics out there, the village is home to a variety of markets from where you can take back a bunch of souvenirs home, like traditional attires, bags, jewellery, local artwork, showpieces and more.
So, on your next trip to Rajasthan, ditch the mainstream tourist hotspots and explore Khimsar instead.
Getting There: If you are planning to travel by air, then Jodhpur Airport is the nearest option, whereas train commuters can get down at the Nagaur Railway Station.
Stay: Welcomhotel Khimsar Fort and Dunes
Related: Head To These 5 Hotels In Rajasthan For A Regal Workation
