Revisiting HISTORY
WelcomHeritage Inderpura Resort, in Udaipurwati, is a smooth blend of modern luxury and heritage. Girded by small villages and verdant hills, this resort in Rajasthan is perfect if you are looking for an offbeat getaway.
PLANNING A TRIP beyond Jaipur and Udaipur in Rajasthan is a task. So, the idea of visiting ITC Hotels’ newly launched WelcomHeritage Inderpura Resort in Udaipurwati, gets my instant nod. A small town in the Jhunjhunu district of the historical Shekhawati region, Udaipurwati also comprises the districts of Churu and Sikar. Legend has it that one of the writers at the King of Mewar’s court was awed by the beauty of the land and named it ‘Udaipur of Shekhawati’, likening it to the famous City of Lakes.
A five-hour drive from Delhi, WelcomHeritage Inderpura Resort stands next to the famous Shakambhari Mata Temple. Spread over 1.7 acres, the property boasts 20 super deluxe, deluxe, and standard rooms. I’m welcomed in typical Rajasthani style: a chorus of excited drums, a vermillion tika is wiped on my forehead, and a garland of flowers hang from my shoulders. The room is an interesting palette of sandstone and wood—classic Rajasthani design is given a 21st century reboot.
There is a basket of goodies on the table, along with a punchi bracelet (gilded silver flexible bracelet, made with small beads). According to Rajasthani tradition, the bracelet is gifted to brides, who then wear and cherish them as mementos of the their wedding.
My room faces a tranquil garden, and is spacious. Lunch is set in the garden— ker sangri,
a combination of stringy desert beans and berries, quickly becomes my favourite.
The evening kicks off with Rajasthani folk performances and a puppet show is staged for a fix of old-school entertainment. The form of puppetry known as kathputli, is native to Rajasthan, and has been the state’s way of depicting stories, for years.
For dinner, I decide to go for regional specialities—Rajasthan’s famous laal maas (a mutton dish slow cooked in a spicy gravy) and gatta curry (made of chickpea flour). I wake up to the chirruping of birds and a breathtaking view of the hills buried in mist. The setting is so beautiful that even a night owl like me can’t resist a morning stroll.
When in Udaipurwati, you must go for a camel ride in Mandawa town. It’s a diminutive spot just an hour and a half away from the city and is famous for its forts and havelis. Nawalgarh, again in similar striking distance from Udaipurwati, is also worth a visit. As both towns were once ruled by 18th-century royal, Thakur Nawal Singh, the architecture of the havelis
share much in common.
Another attraction that deserves a special mention is the Lohargal Surya Temple in the tiny hamlet of Lohargal, just 30 minutes away from Udaipurwati. It is believed that the Pandavas—five warrior brothers from the time of Krishna who feature in the epic tales of the Mahabharata— visited this sun temple at the end of a long and bloody war. It is said that their weapons melted in the natural water tank here.
On your way back, don’t forget to pick up a jar of homemade pickles from one of the many shops. Pickles made from locally grown mangoes, chillies, berries, garlic, and ginger are the best souvenirs you can take back from Udaipurwati.
Next day, as I get ready to leave the resort after a culturally-rich weekend, I’m handed a pouch of til rewari and gajak, both of which are made from sugar, jaggery, and sesame seeds. It’s a Rajasthani tradition to send your guests packing with something great to eat for the onward journey and perfect for my trek back home.