Whenever I get a chance, I like to go on a quick trip with my family during the weekend. Luckily, Delhi has plenty of options that offer both luxury and relaxation… but not all of them offer even a glimpse of our country’s culture. This time, I wanted to immerse myself in the history and heritage of India but without the hassle of long travel. Of course, the Neemrana Fort-Palace was the ideal location. Located in Rajasthan, just a few hours away, this 553-year-old medieval fort-palace offers a perfect blend of culture, heritage and breathtaking views. This was an opportunity to delve deeper into Rajasthani culture without going to Jaipur.
Our journey took a little over three hours due to road repairs, but the anticipation built along the way was worth it. Upon arrival, I was immediately struck by the beauty of the fort. The tranquil atmosphere was a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The rustic charm of the fort, from its brick walls to the cobbled streets, took me to a bygone era, there was even an antique horse carriage welcoming us at the entrance. The beauty of the fort increased my curiosity to know about its history.
Story of Neemrana Fort-Palace
Situated on the Aravalli Hills, Neemrana Fort-Palace offers one of the most spectacular sunsets in the countryside. Originally built in 1464, the fort was abandoned in 1947 when King Rajinder Singh moved to Vijay Bagh because its facade had fallen into disrepair. For four decades, the fort lay in ruins, until it was acquired for restoration in 1986. Today, this spectacular ruin has been transformed into an exquisite resort, officially opened in 1991, featuring 81 rooms and suites spread over 14 levels cut into the mountainside. ,
Discovery of Neemrana Fort-Palace
As soon as I stepped into this heritage property, I was taken back to the times of royalty. The authentic restoration of the fort’s structures captures the essence of medieval India. Neemrana Fort-Palace is a maze of interconnected courtyards, gardens and chambers. Exploring the property is an adventure in itself, as you walk through narrow passageways and discover hidden corners. However, climbing up and down steep stairs and ramps requires some physical fitness.
It may sound tedious but believe me this was actually the fun part. As I huffed and puffed my way to my room, I couldn’t help but admire the sights along the way. The view of the Aravalli hills, the small pond with floating lotus leaves, the stone carvings on the walls – it was all magical. Our room in the Hawa Mahal wing added to the charm. It was spacious and the balcony overlooked the swimming pool with the Aravalli mountain range in the background – perfect!
Now, the most awaited part of the stay – the food!
Restaurants in Neemrana Fort-Palace:
After settling in, the first thing we wanted to do was eat! We arrived at lunch time but thankfully the staff told us about a restaurant serving pizza called Katoria, which looked almost mystical with a carved mountain rock right inside the restaurant. It seemed as if I was in a different world. The wood-fired chicken pizza was a delightful surprise, with a perfectly thin and crispy crust topped with well-seasoned vegetables and meat. As we went back to our room, we took a short detour to explore the place. We saw peacocks, monkeys, parrots and even frogs jumping with joy. Walking back up to the room was a wonderful experience.
After resting for some time, it was time for tea at Jahangir Mahal. The selection of chaats and snacks like corn chaat and kachori was enough to keep the hunger satiated till dinner. The tea cakes and cookies were great with my coffee. Just below Jalgiri Mahal was the swimming pool overlooking the Aravalis. I couldn’t wait to spend some time in the pool with my baby. The water was clean and the attendants were helpful and ready for anything we needed.
An entertaining evening at Neemrana Fort-Palace
There was still some time left for dinner and thankfully there was never a sad moment in Neemrana. A cultural dance program was organized in the amphitheater which we enjoyed thoroughly. The dancing and storytelling were entertaining as well as informative.
Then it was time for dinner at Kanak Mahal.
As someone who believes that the best way to explore a new place is through its food, I was in culinary heaven. The extravagant multi-cuisine buffet including Rajasthani food was impressive. I learned that the property focuses on local grains and seasonal ingredients and most of their meals include millet. The spread screamed deliciousness and healthfulness. The offerings included Pear Barley Pumpkin Soup, Bajra and Murgh Keese, Bajra Sprouted Salad, Quinoa Salad, Red Rice Tahari, Moringa Paneer Lababdar, Ker Sangri Khatte Saag with Bajra Pearls and many more such enticing dishes. Paneer Tikka and Alsi Kebab, Dal Neemrana, Dal Baati Churma, Rajasthani Gate Ki Sabzi, Laal Maas and much more were on offer. The taste of each dish was divine. Imagine that the baati of Dal Baati Churma thali was also made from red millet.
Then there was a separate snack station in the courtyard – with fenugreek amaranth tacos, ragi cheela, millet falafel and more. If that wasn’t impressive enough, I was surprised to see that the sweets were also made from millet. Ragi and jaggery laddus, mixed millet granola bars, local grain malai ghevar – let me enjoy guilt-free!
Not in the mood to eat Indian food? There are noodles, roasted vegetables and pasta – a great choice to please the kids. I slept happy and with a full stomach.
Breakfast the next morning was again a delight. From Continental to South Indian, North Indian and Rajasthani cuisine – there were options galore. If you want to eat more of Neemrana’s delicious food, it’s best to have lunch there before hitting the road. Lamb galoshes, murgh shekhwani, jungle maas, Thai curries, fried rice and plenty of Rajasthani food options make for a hearty lunch. The desserts were exciting with fruit custard, mango mousse, chocolate pudding and more.
I will admit that I did not feel like leaving from there. Its beauty and peace as well as the intense experience of exploring its every nook and corner – felt like you were living amongst royalty. And the lingering taste of delicious food made saying goodbye even more difficult. I left with a promise to return, perhaps to stay longer next time. With its vast wealth, there is a lot to discover in just one day. I leave with fond memories of the wonderful stay I had at Neemrana Fort-Palace.
