Slow travel is something that Indian travelers are waking upto. The 80’s and 90’s were dominated with family travel in India. With 20 somethings earning like never before and travelling, the focus is shifting away from the travel of yester years. The instinct earlier was towards ticking off a list but today’s traveler wants to sit back and relax. With today’s fast paced lifestyle, slow travel is not a luxury anymore, instead becoming a necessity. Although the western world has woken up to it’s benefits, it’s time for Indians to also do so. Fort Barli located at 75 kilometres from Ajmer is one of the best places to visit in Rajasthan.
Located in the sleepy hamlet of Barli, this 17th century fort is a throwback to the might of the Rajputana royalty. Built in 1675 by Raja Moti Singh from the royal family of Jodhpur, Fort Barli is now in the hands of the 16th generation of the Rathod family. The fort and the village stand frozen in time as the world speeds by on it’s own merry way. The 8 room Barli fort is a relief to overused senses. Be it listening to the chirping of the birds or straining to identify a constellation during clear nights, this place offers you a disconnect from the world not easily available. But does that mean living frugally?
Rajputana Architecture at Barli
The opulent luxuries at the Fort Barli offer you a chance to feel like royalty without it’s stresses. The strong built walls hold stories of Rajputana valour while a collection of photographs on the walls gives you an insight into the most recent history of the family. Restored in 2010, the fort holds numerous knick knacks from all over Rajasthan. Be it a collection of weapons or musical instruments.
What to enjoy?
As you will have already seen in the walkthrough video of the property, the 8 rooms of the Barli Fort are different from each other. With hardwood furniture and colours of red and saffron dominating the frame, your stay at Fort Barli will always remain colourful. The reception hosts a small library for whiling away time listening to the parrots chirping from the Neem tree. Or you can spend your time chatting with Karni Singh and Pallavi Kumari, owners of the property. They will regale you with stories from all over the Rajputana history.
What to eat?
A large dining hall which used to serve as the Durbar for the erstwhile King will host your meals. Breakfast is a buffet with an Indian speciality along with eggs made to order. Do try out the Kastoori Methi infused Bread Pakora and the Moong Dal Chilla. Some crispy cabbage fritters are also something you must try. Lunch is based on an A-La carte menu.which serves a selection of western food including sandwiches and pasta. But it’s the dinner that will blow you away from right mind. Karni also doubles up as the Executive Chef of the Fort and cooks up some really rustic dishes.
His food has the typical Rajasthani royalty flavours of clarified butter and chillies. Be it the rarely available Siri Paya or the Brain curry, the simplistic Junglee Maas cooked with just four ingredients or the Turmeric subzi. Roll it all down with some alcohol, typical Rajasthani style. You can get the spice level adjusted according to what you can tolerate. Meals in winter are even more traditional with them being served in a room without any electricity. Traditional sitting places along with candle light and hukkah will accompany you on your royal journey.
Activities at Fort Barli
There is not a single second of boredom at the Fort Barli. Activities like the bullock cart ride around the village is one of the good options. You can also troop around the sleepy hamlet of Barley on your own discovering the simplicity of village life. Many authentic Indian penchants like Astrology, Palm Reading and Henna application are also available. Now most of you would have traveled the world and tried out the Balinese, Swedish and Ayurvedic massage. How about a traditional Indian massage more prevalent in the Northern part of the country? A deep tissue massage which also involves vigorous rubbing to produce heat on the surface, this massage is something that you should definitely try. A massage worth royalty, it is perfect for all those sore limbs aching from all the travel.
Fort Barli is an option for those who love to travel slow. It is an experience that will rejuvenate you thoroughly. You can visit their website here for booking.
