The Majestic Khimsar

We were searching for an offbeat locale and after doing our due diligence, we zeroed in on Khimsar, a name that sounded as exotic as the place that it was to be.

We were searching for anoffbeat locale and after doingour due diligence, we zeroed inon Khimsar, a name thatsounded as exotic as the placethat it was to be.

We reached the Khimsarfort, an hour or so beforesunset. The majestic fortbuilding is visible from theNagaur-Jodhpur highway. Thefort was great as it wasluxurious and the service wasdecent- apparently it had beenawarded the 'Grand HeritageAward for Excellence' by theTourism Board of India.

We set out to visit a nearbydhaba, had tea with some localsand left for the BlackbuckReserve 15kms away where wesaw deers and blackbucks. Theweather being cool, the openjeep and the desert terrain wewere greeted with air transformingfrom cool to chilly, butnonetheless it was great fun.

Next was the Khimsar sanddune resort- a five star villageoffering views of the mostbewildering sand dune sights.The resort comprises a clusterof 16 huts, fashioned in the styleof local village hutments knownas dhanis, with a 17ft thatchedgrass dome. This sand dunesresort may be nothing like whatyou would have imagined orseen before, and a stay for twonights is much recommended.

There is so much to see onceyou go to Jodhpur, the tourdepends on how much time youhave. The highlight isMehrangarh Fort, atop a rockyhill overlooking the city, fromwhere one gets a bird's eye viewof Jodhpur. The museum in thefort houses several interestingcollections including one ofpalanquins. Close to the fort isUmaid Bhawan Palace. Thethree hundred and forty sevenroomed palace, the residenceof the royal family and now aheritage hotel, is an awe-inspiringstudy in the art deco style.

While coming back, westarted early so we could takeblessings from Lord Brahmaat Pushkar as well as visit theholy dargah at Ajmer Sharif.

How to reach there
By Air: Nearest airport Jodhpur
By Rail: Nearest railway station isJodhpur
By Road: Delhi - Ajmer - Khimsar

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