From the land of Dhola Maru. Review on Chokhi Dhani Resort, Jaipur

Chokhi Dhani – An ethnic village resort on Jaipur-Tonk road, presents a pretty picture of a typical Rajasthani lifestyle.

I had the privilege of visiting this exotic place for a team building session organized by my organization.

It was sultry day of July, when the HR executive of our company announced a week long trip to Jaipur for orientation and team building program. We all were so put off…”Jaipur and that too in July''. Everybody came up with various bright ideas of visiting some hill station. But it was already decided and nothing that we said helped in changing their minds. Next morning, three scores of sulky people left for Jaipur. We were totally exhausted when we reached there. All that everyone wanted was a break for an hour before we started with the exercises and events organized for us by the competent HR team. When I got off the bus, my first thought was “Oh My God !!!”… No! it wasn’t out of happiness. I was actually aghast at the sight of a typically old fashioned, yet beautiful, mud covered boundary wall. And my next thought was “Please, please, please, at least some fans should be there. I don’t want to die of heat stroke. If not this, then please let them give us some hand fans”. How wrong I was. When I entered the resort, I felt like an ignorant fool. Thank God I didn’t voice my thoughts.

From the moment I stepped in the resort, my senses were filled with the rich Rajasthani culture. The meandering pathways are lined with low lamp posts, and instead of lamps, they are adorned by lanterns. On both the sides, well maintained lawns provided a very soothing effect on a hot summer day. The reception area was designed and decorated on lines of a “Baithak” of a Haveli. We were then guided by traditionally dressed attendants to our rooms. Room is the wrong word actually. We were guided to our “huts”.

The huts were built around an “Aangan”. There was a main entrance in the “Aangan”, on three sides were 3 huts. Two wooden staircases, each on either side of the main entrance, connected the huts on first floor. So, in all, 5 huts were built around an “Aangan”. Another setting was of a standalone round hut, but they were very few in number. I got the hut on first floor. The heavy wooden door had the chain “kadi” instead of a modern bolt, and the lock was of very old style. The mud-caked walls gave a rural touch to the whole setting. Little did I know that a whole feast is in store for my senses inside my “hut”. When the door was opened, I was greeted by a beautiful room oozing Rajasthani décor to the core. The walls and the ceiling were decorated with colorful “Rangoli”. Tastefully chosen carved furniture with plush upholstery was neatly placed.

For the remaining part of the day(and next few days) we had meetings, exercises and lectures.

In evening we went to another part of Chokhi Dhani, which was designed as a small village with a “Haat”. It opens for visitors at 8:00 P.M. and closes down by 11:00 P.M. The whole atmosphere of the place had a rural touch to it. The notes of “Been”, “Ektara”, beats of “Dhol” made the place even more ethnic. The whole place was strewn with gems from land of Rajputs. A puppet show, dance performance by Kalbelia dancer, dhol, folk dances, bamboo climbing, camel rides, bullock cart rides, rope swings, mehndi(henna) artists, small shops, Bhool bhulaiya, rehat(Kolhu), snake charmer... you name it, you have it there. Instead of benches there were woven charpoy’s.

At one corner of the village was a high Machaan. We had a gala time climbing on it.

On the other corner was ”Sangri” restaurant. It had a ambience of a typical Rajasthani household. The food was served in “Pattal” on a “Chauki”. We had to sit cross legged on the floor. Water and buttermilk was served in “Kulhars”. Initially salads, pickles, sangria subzi, and butter in two small diyas were served. The attendants dressed in traditional dresses then brought Kadhi, Chana Subzi, Gatte ki sabzi, sangri ki sabzi, aaloo ki sabzi,Chane ki Daal and plain roti. Gosh, it was too much. Before I could collect my wits, next attendant came with Bajre ki roti. And before I could stop him, he was gone. Then the next one came with makke ki roti, followed by another one with Baati and Churma. The Churma was laced with two big spoons of Ghee. And then came a beaming attendant with rice. If you have not already fainted, listen to the next…Sweet Dish. I ended up wasting so much. The food was delicious, but I couldn’t help it. It was just too much for me.

Then we went for a stroll in big open area in residential complex. At every corner there was an object which reflected a true rural setting – a cradle, low machaans, charpoys, lantern adorned pathways, a well(fake one of course), plough and harrow, bullock cart.

We had a great time sitting on machaans counting stars and chatting till late night. Evenings and nights in Rajasthan are much cooler than days, so it was a very pleasant experience.

Chokhi Dhani also provides modern amenities, like health club, swimming pool, Snooker room, Tennis court. We didn’t get a chance to sample any of these, owing to the long sessions that we had.

By the end of our stay, we were all enthralled by this true showcase of culture of enticing land of brave heroic Rajputs.

All in all, a week at Chokhi Dhani was a blessing in disguise to enjoy the rich, royal, mystical culture of Rajasthan.

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Baithak : Living room

Haveli : House of rich zamindars

Aangan : Open space in a house. Plays a major role in Vaastu shastra.

Rangoli : Colorful decoration

Haat : Village Market

Bhool bhulaiya : Maze

Pattal : Plate made of dried leaves

Kulhar : Earthern Cups