Wake up in history at Tijara Fort-Palace

The lure of Indian heritage is something that has enthralled foreigners and Indians alike. The old forts of the Rajputana period have drawn quite a few eyeballs from all across the globe. So, when Neemrana Hotels have opened up experiential hotels by taking over these forts and royal palaces, people have been thronging to them in search of experiencing the Royal comforts. With 24 properties all over India, Neemrana Hotels has become a major player in the Hospitality and Tourism sector. Their newest property at Tijara Fort-Palace, after much wrangling with the government finally opens up to the public. Located in Alwar district, Tijara is famous for it’s Jain Mandir which draws people from all walks of life.

Check out the walkthrough of Tijara Fort Palace before moving on.

The Tijara Fort, started in early 19th century by Maharaja Balwant Singh was never completed until 13 years later when the Maharaja passed away in 1845. Unsuccessful attempts by his descendants and the stifling rule of the Britishers meant that the fort fell into ruins. The fort was never restored and lived in until recent times. After the government’s auction of the property, the Tijara Fort was discovered to have three standing structures. The Massive Hawa Mahal which was a common meeting place, the bold Mardana Mahal with thick walls and a combination of Afghan and Rajput architecture while the Rani Mahal lay unfinished. After a decade of work, the dilapidated ruins had been transformed into something majestic.

How to get there?

Set atop a hill, a narrow road snakes it’s way through the surrounding villages to welcome you the opulence that Tijara Fort is. Located about a 100 kms from Delhi, Tijara is perfectly accessible by cars. A perfect blend of old rustic charm and modern complexities set this “non-hotel” Hotel apart from others. Be prepared for lush green gardens, old architecture of the fort, tight stairways and some resplendent luxury. The ebullient Rani Mahal welcomes us after a long tiring journey with it’s architecture blending perfectly between the old and the modern. Huge wooden doors open onto the traditional courtyard CharBagh located in the centre of the Mahal as a tight winding staircase takes us to our room, Jayashree Mahal.

The Rooms

One of the most endearing features of the rooms of Rani Mahal is that each of the 21 rooms is adorned by art by a famous Indian female artist. With Mardana Mahal, the same is being repeated with male artists, designers, photographers and aesthetes. Our room on the corner of the second floor blows us away with resplendent luxury. The door opens onto a small seating area which opens into the drawing room through a foldable wooden door. The living room is decked up with a duvan, lamps and artwork from Jayashree Chakravarthy. The red colour theme predominates our room along with some Modern Ink Art from the painter. A small lamp built over a Barni(Pickle Jar), a rustic wooden cupboard and endless Jharokas are small things that will make you fall in love with Jayashree Mahal. The bedroom houses a Queen sized bed under an octagonal turret surrounded by even more windows.

Where to eat?

The taking in of all this beauty works up a stellar appetite as we walk across the cobbled walkways of the Fort to reach the Hawa Mahal. Decked up with scattered lights around the fort, the experience is ethereal. The Dining Hall at the Hawa Mahal is the only one operational one with plans for another four in the offing including a Jain restaurant. Chef Ramji Lal(he earlier handled the kitchens at Matheran) cooks up a rustic Rajasthani meal for us.

The Daal Baati Choorma spells authentic Rajasthani flavours as does the heat of the Laal Maas. A range of locally made pickles will interest you even further. But don’t lose hope if you aren’t a fan of the spicy North Indian food. Chef makes sure your European taste buds are tickled properly with a cold Watermelon soup, a Hungarian Cold Cucumber Soup on the second day, some simply made Pasta and a display of home-made desserts.

What to see in the Fort?

Although the initial structure just consisted of three buildings, Neemrana Hotels is adding it’s own signature touch with the Khajur Mahal already housing the conference rooms along with the above mentioned planned Jain Restaurant. The Saatth Darwaze (Sixty Doors) occupies the space left between the Hawa Mahal and is getting restored to be a luxurious Bar. Mardana Mahal, already open with a few rooms is soon going to be one of the most royal places in the country. With 41 rooms planned along with three restaurants, the Durbar of the Raja will see some glamorous gatherings. Another small complex of rooms known as the Gyarah Mahal is being planned. The swimming pool makes for a scenic view overlooking the countryside from the hilltop. Tijara Fort also houses the Orient Spa in the Rani Mahal which offers the whole gamut of South Asian massages.

The prices range around INR 12,000-15,000 for the rooms of Rani Mahal whereas the ones at Mardana Mahal cost INR 8000. The Large Amrita/Vivan Mahal costs INR 50,000 as it spans across the whole third floor of the Rani Mahal and has sleeping places for at least five spread across four rooms. Another feature that is characteristic of a lot of the Neemrana properties is that all their rooms have a different layout. The large fresco on the walls of the Anjolie Mahal with a small seating room inside the turret is a fascinating sight. The Sheeba Mahal on the other hand is crafted with insights from Mughal architecture. The green colour based theme of the room has a table along with a seating which is receded in the corners of the turret.

But even all this pales in front of Neemrana’s top rate hospitality. Right from the time you land up, the team at Tijara Fort hustles around to ensure your level of comfort never drops off. With smart Kurta Pyjamas, the locally hired employees will offer you some great stories about the place. The Fort focuses on people eating at the dining hall instead of room service allowing you to take in the beauty of nature and history. Also, the idiot box stays away making it a complete retreat away from all the hustle bustle of the city. Wake up at sunrise as the Sun gradually throws it’s rays over the ramparts. The beautiful cacophony of birds will accompany you as you leisurely lounge over a cup of tea or breakfast. You can also take in some history as you move between the walls of the Fort.