Sanchal Fort Palace, Barmer – An Undiscovered Gem of Rajasthan

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A dusty, chaotic, wind-swept little town in a relatively undiscovered part of Rajasthan hardly sounds appealing. But Barmer will prove you wrong. It’s present name was given by its founder Bahada Rao, popularly known as Bar Rao, Parmar Ruler (Juna Barmer). He build a small town which is presently known as “Juna” which is 25 km from present city of Barmer.

Sanchal Fort is luxury boutique palace hotel located on sand dunes of Mahabar in Barmer Rajasthan which is located in the western part of the state forming a part of the Thar Desert and it also borders Pakistan.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mnmN0TYYH8

The hotel captures the essence of Rajasthan’s vibrant culture and heritage. The very essence of the culturally rich state of Rajasthan is brought to life at Sanchal Fort. Away from the hustle and bustle of urban madness, their splendid heritage styled hotel is to be found in the middle of sand dunes providing a perfect setting for an ideal break. The true luxury and hospitality while they pamper us all that are needed to make a holiday perfect.

The hotel started opened its doors to guests in the year 2014 when In 2009 the Barmer district came into the news due to its large Oil basin and now Barmer is on global map It has total 27 rooms including 5 suits, a multi-cuisine restaurant named “Zaffran” & a bar lounge “Saaqi”. The hotel also offers a beautiful spa named “Jiva” with a range of authentic massage to soothe one’s body, mind & soul along with a fully quipped gym and a breathtaking infinity pool to dip into. Sanchal Fort’s conference hall is named as “Baradari” meaning a gathering or baithak in the local Rajasthani dialect is perfect for any business conferences or events and the hotel has beautiful lawns for outdoor events & weddings.

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HOW TO REACH BARMER:

By Air: The nearest Airport is at Jodhpur around 220 km from Barmer

By Road: State-run buses connect the town with most of the cities in the state including Jodhpur, Jaipur, Udaipur

By Train: The Barmer railway station is well connected from Jodhpur, which in turn is well connected to major cities of India. 

Click Here to watch full Video

WHAT TO SEE: 

• Kiradu Temple, A group of ruined temples located in the Barmer district of Rajasthan, India. The Kiradu town is located in the Thar desert, about 35 km from Barmer
• Salt Flat Redana – The Salt Flat stretched away to the horizon, the white crust of layer shone brilliantly in the afternoon sun. It was a grim landscape.
• Mahabar Sand Dunes – Who Serves snacks in the middle of the Desert! Well, Sanchal Fort palace did that for us and that too with folk musicians which makes the evening perfect

A Short day trip to Zarwani Waterfall – Rajpipla, Gujarat (Hangout places near Ahmedabad, within 200kms)

This is a short day trip that we did with our group recently. I thought of sharing my experience as there is no mention of the Zarwani falls in detail. I feel this is still a less explored place and a must visit for people who like adventure and wildlife.

The Drive ….

Ahmedabad to Vadodara – on the expressway approx 98 kms.
Vadodara-Dabhoi-Rajpipla-Gora Village- Shoolpaneshwar Sanctuary – 130 Kms

After the expressway you drive onto the SH towards Dabhoi from Vadodara, which is a good country road with rural traffic in patches. As you approach Rajpipla you start experiencing the green all round with dense vegetation and farms on both sides of the roads. On reaching Narmada Dist you then take a left from the SH towards Gora village this is a narrow road leading through the forest area, once at the forest department check post you pay the entry fees of Rs. 400/ vehicle and enter.

This is where the excitement starts, as you drive on a 15 Km stretch of winding forest track, with virtually no roads, this can get quite slushy during the monsoons.

The narrow pathway leads you up and down and across various hillocks, the forest keeps getting denser as you move deeper. And then you drive through a small stream of water which leads you to the Zarwani water falls. This entire stretch will excite any off road enthusiast.

Zarwani Falls

Think of a place where you can remain ‘incommunicado’ at least for a day from the daily gripes and grunts. This waterfall is deep in a jungle where the mobiles are dead and there are no electricity lines overhead
You need to park your vehicle on the rocky terrain near the river banks and trek to reach the falls. You will need to walk through the river, crossing three rapids, with almost 3.5 Ft of water at places to reach the Zarwani water falls. You will find local tribal people who also act as guides and will tell you where exactly to step inside the water, as the bottom has rocks which are slippery at places, and will help you reach the falls. On the way you can take a break and relax on the rocks across the stream of gushing pure water. The water is actually so clean that you can see through and spot small fishes at the bottom.

TRAVEL ADVISORY

1.To visit the falls, permission has to be availed from the Forest Office.
2.The waterfall is to be trekked from the parking place. It is better to wear sports shoes, shorts and carry light luggage.
3.Avoid slippery rocks while climbing near the waterfalls.
4.Do not litter and avoid plastics.
5.The electricity generated is with solar energy. It should be used responsibly.
6.No smoking within the forest and waterfall area.
7.Carry sufficient food and drinking water as there are virtually no eating joints within the forest area.

One can arrange for day picnics or treks with the help of the forest department, with the forest, waterfalls and other natural beauty within easy reach

Trekking to Shetrunji hills,Hastagiri, Palitana & Blackbuck National Park – Velavadar, Bhavnagar, Gujarat

• Shatrunjaya Hill, Palitana : The Shatrunjaya Hill is located at a height of 591 metres. The Shatrunjaya Temple is the most sacred temple of the Jains and one of the largest of its kind in India. One has to climb up the hill for about 4 kms (600 meters) on a stepped path to Shatrunjaya (place of victory over worldliness). You can reach this place either in Doli or lift chairs or by walking. The rich persons visit this place on richly caparisoned elephants. There are about 863 white marble Jain temples, built over 900 years on the hilltop, each with its own enclosure.. There is a stunning view from the top of the hill and the air is filled with the scent of the jasmine trees. On a clear day, you can also see the Gulf of Cambay.
• Shri Hastagiri Tirth : This sacred place is on a hill on the bank of the river Shetrunji
• Blackbuck National Park at Velavadar is situated in the Bhavnagar District of Gujarat state, India. Established in 1976 in the Bhal region of Saurashtra, the park is located around 42 km from the district headquarters city of Bhavnagar
• Check out the whole video right here.

Incredible India Part – I

India is a vast South Asian country with diverse terrain – from Himalayan peaks to Indian Ocean coastline – and history reaching back 5 millennia. In the north, Mughal Empire landmarks include Delhi’s Red Fort complex and massive Jama Masjid mosque, plus Agra’s iconic Taj Mahal mausoleum. Pilgrims bathe in the Ganges in Varanasi, and Rishikesh is a yoga centre and base for Himalayan trekking.

While snow claims India’s northern bits, the sun lulls its beaches, its southern outlines acquire an effortless charm and the plains get used to a much awaited extra layer of clothes, the Indian Peninsula enters one of the best seasons to travel here. Here are places to visit in India by a string of holidays, itching your feet to get out and travel.

1. Manali – Leh

Check out the whole video here!

2.  Shimla

3. Mount Everest

4. Coorg – Scotland of India

5. Vivekananda Rock Memorial

 6. Morning in Manali

7. Gulmarg

7. Lavasa , Pune

8. Shimla Snowfall

Gir National Park : Majestic Home of the Royal King

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Watch original video of Asiatic Lion roaming in the forest captured by me on November, 2015.

 https://youtu.be/d9223dYAjk4

Besides Africa, Gir National Park in Gujarat is the only place in the world where you can spot lions roaming free in the wild. The real discovery channel of India is situated approximately 65 Kms South East of Junagarh District. The Government notified the large geographical extent of Sasan Gir as wildlife sanctuary on 18th September, 1965 in order to conserve the Asiatic Lion. It covers total area of 1412 square kilometers of which 258 Km forms the core area of the National Park. Indiscriminate hunting by the people of Junagarh led to their decrease in population drastically, while they were completely wiped out from the other parts of Asia. It was the kind effort of Nawabs of Junagarh who protected the queen royalty in his own private hunting grounds. Later in due course of time Department of Forest Officials came forward to protect the world’s most threatened species. From a population of approximately 20 lions in 1913, they have risen to a comfortable 523 according to 2015 census. There are 106 male, 201 female and 213 sub-adult lions in the wilderness of these four districts.

Subtle Glimpses of Major Attractions at Sasan Gir:

Animals: The entire forest area of the Gir National Park is dry and deciduous which provides best habitat for Asiatic Lions. As per the new statics of 2015, the entire Saurashtra Region is inhabited by 523 Lions and more than 300 Leopards. Apart from these two animals the park is a home to two different species of Deer. The Sambar is counted largest Indian Deer. The Gir forest is also known for the Chowsingha – the world’s only four horned antelope. The Jackal, striped Hyena and India Fox are some of the smaller carnivores found in Gir Forest.

 

Birds: The exotic flora of Gir National Park gives shelter to more than 200 species of birds and moreover the sanctuary has been declared an important bird area by the Indian Bird Conservation Network. Gir is also habitat of raptors like critically endangered white-backed and long-billed vultures.

Reptiles: Gir is blessed with more than 40 species of reptiles and amphibians. Kamleshwar – a large reservoir in the sanctuary is the best spot where Marsh Crocodile can be seen in large numbers. Park has even many species of snake including King Kobra, the Russell’s viper, Saw-scaled viper and the Krait.

Gir Interpretation Zone, Devaliya: Devaliya Safari Park is enclosed area of the Sanctuary that offers a good opportunity for visitors to experience a rustic beauty and wilderness of the area. The safari tour is conducted in a mini bus that takes visitors to another cross section of the Gir. Travelers can watch here a good variety of wildlife in just 20 to 30 minutes tour including Asiatic Lion.

How to Reach Gir National Park Gir: National Park attracts large number of tourists to witness the Asiatic lion, as this is the sole place all across the world where these creatures are presently found. Once extinct, numbers have been recovered owing to the conservation efforts. The Sanctuary is open for tourism from 16th October to 15th June every year.

Junagadh is perhaps the best approach to the park. The railway station in Junagadh receives trains from different cities like Ahmedabad and Rajkot and other major cities. Then, from here it takes approximately one and half hour to reach Gir National Park.

From Rajkot-On reaching Rajkot Railway Station or Airport you can take a cab or bus and to reach a Limda chowk. There are a number of privately operated that go to Junagadh at frequent intervals. Junagadh is nearly 105 Kms from the city Rajkot and it takes nearly 2 and a half to 3 hours to cover the distance.From this point you have two options. First one is either you take a bus from gate number 11or 12 to Sasan Gir or travel by taxi that is accessible bang opposite the taxi stand. The taxi will take nearly one and half an hour and will charge reasonably and will drop you to Sasan Gir.

From Somnath to Gir National Park: Road Distance or the driving distance from the Gir National Park to Somnath is approximately 50 Kms and it takes nearly 1 hour to cover this distance. GSRTC buses and quite a few private buses ply between both the cities and take you directly to Sasan Gir Forest.