A FORT IN MARWAR
Perched on the edge on the great Thar Desert in the heart of rural
India, the unique fort at Khimsar offers a wide range of
experiences. The battle-scarred walls and turrets remind one of
the glorious past of this place.
CLIMATE
Khimsar
has an extreme climate with hot summers and cold winters.
Temperatures during
the summer months range between 42.2╟C and 27.3╟C, and between
27.5╟C and 9.5╟C during winters. Annual rainfall in this region is
around 31-cm. Recommended clothing for the summer is light
tropical while light woolens should work in the winter.
PAST
On the highway from Jodhpur to Bikaner, an hour out of the
Rathore stronghold, past the medieval temples of Osian with their
stunning stone carvings, is the small township of Khimsar.
Established by a scion of the house of Jodhpur, Khimsar was once a
small kingdom. And though Jodhpur royalty claim it was never
independent, the Thakurs of Khimsar claim that not only was it an
individual entity, but that one of the visitors to their ancestral
fort was Emperor Aurangzeb himself. The construction of the fort
initially began in 1523 but the family moved in to the fort only
during the 18th century after a new zenana or ladies wing was
constructed. Thakur Onkar Singh, the present occupant of the fort,
built a regal wing for himself in 1940s. The pride of Khimsar
today is still that fort, 450 years old and currently home to the
18th, 19th, and 20th generations of the Khimsar thakurs.
SITES TO VISIT
The fort architecture of Khimsar offers great heterogeneity.
Originally, the fort walls, turrets, and stables were built solely
for war, and were constructed around the beginning of the 16th
century. Subsequently, by mid 18th century, the royal family moved
in when a new zenana or ladies' residence was constructed. Finely
carved windows in stone were constructed in this section for
providing purdah or veil for the ladies in waiting. Thakur Onkar
Singh, the present chief and the 17th direct descendant of Rao
Karamsi (the original builder of the fort) built himself a regal
additional wing in the 1940's. Today, this fort ranks amongst the
premier Heritage Hotels of India.
SITES NEARBY
Jodhpur is the largest city in the entire Marwar region and
one of the most famous tourist destinations in Rajasthan. Major
tourist attractions in the city include the Umaid Bhawan Palace,
Mahendragarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, and Mandore Gardens.
Osian is a small place situated around 27 km off Khimsar and known
for its sixteen ruined Jain and Hindu temples. These temples date
back to the eighth and eleventh centuries. The most important
temples are the Sachhiyamata Temple and the Jain Temples. While
the Hindu temples are in a dilapidated condition, the Jain temples
are well preserved.
Nagaur is around 43 km away from Khimsar and famous for its cattle
fair. Thousands of people bring camels, bullocks, and horses for
sale. Camel races and other sporting events are organized at this
fair.
WHAT TO DO
Jeep Safaris can be organized but require an advance
notice. The excursion runs deep into the heart of the desert as
hunting around the settlement is banned. As the jeep roars up,
deer and chinkara take to the air in elegant strides, silhouetted
against an early morning sun. And there's nothing like a picnic
tea or breakfast taken in the shadow of the high dunes in the open
countryside.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotels are available in Khimsar for accommodation though on
the higher side of the cost chart. The heritage hotels here are an
experience in themselves and provide good value for money.
HOW TO REACH
By Air
The nearest airport from Khimsar is Jodhpur, around 92 km
away. Indian Airlines connects Jodhpur with Delhi, Jaipur, and
Mumbai through regular flights. The airport is located around 6 km
off the city center.
By Rail
The nearest railhead is Jodhpur on the Western Railway
broad-gauge network. Jodhpur is linked to various centers in the
region by express and passenger trains. New Delhi, Agra, Jaisalmer,
Jaipur, Udaipur, and Ahmedabad are some of the important cities
that are linked with Jodhpur through rail.
By Road
Khimsar is situated around 92 km on the Jodhpur-Nagaur-Bikaner
Highway. State transport corporation buses and private buses
connect Khimsar with other centers in the region.
Local Transport
Buses, taxis, and jeeps are available on hire to enable
tourists to visit the places around Khimsar
Khimsar
Fort
