Perched
on the edge of the Great Thar Desert in the heart of virgin India lies a unique
16th Century fort. Rao Karamsi-the eighth prince of Rao Jodha-the founding Maharaja
of Jodhpur-successfully launched the royal dynasty at Khimsar. Currently, the
18th, 19th and 20th generations of the royal lineage still reside in this historic
fort.
This fort architecture
offers great heterogeneity. Originally, the fort walls, turrets and stables
were built solely for war, and were constructed around the beginning of the
16th Century. Subsequently, by mid 18th century, the royal family moved in,
and a new 'zenana' or ladies' residence was erected with finely carved
windows in stone that provided 'purdah' or veil for ladies in waiting.
Thakur Onkar Singh, the present chief and the 17th direct descendant of Rao
Karamsi built himself a regal additional wing in the 1940's. Today, this
fort ranks amongst the premier classified Heritage Hotels of India.
HOW
TO GET THERE:
By Road: Khimsar is best reached from
Jodhpur,
90 kms away or from
Jaipur,
approx 300 kms.
By Air: The nearest airport is Jodhpur, 90 kms away. Indian Airlines
and Jet Airways both link Jodhpur with
Delhi,
Jaipur,
Udaipur
and
Mumbai.
By
Rail: The nearest mainline station for Khimsar is Jodhpur, 85 kms away.
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India Travel Hotel.
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