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Here your conscience and your corpus can be at peace. The principles are ‘eco’ and ‘low impact’, rooted in Ramesh’s deep concern for the disappearing local heritage and the damaging effects that tourism can have. Ramesh lives here with his extended family, the sounds and smells of their lives providing a gentle backdrop to this beautiful and tranquil setting. The rooms are a cluster of traditional huts with mud-rubbed walls, thatched roofs and earthy colours. Wooden furniture and intriguing objets in russet-toned alcoves create an understated feel; bathrooms have gleaming white tiles and polished chrome. Everything you need is here, though luxuries are few, and alcohol plays no part. Fabulous vegetarian food (seasonal, and from the organic garden) is served on leaf plates under a bougainvillea-clad pagoda in the circular, courtyard that is the hub of the place. Visitors delight in Ramesh, a pleasant, well-travelled man of principle, who believes in the importance of harmonious living. Cookery classes, artisan workshops and guided treks, too.
5% room rate to community projects.
- Special places to Stay-India
This award winning eco-tourism venture is a delightful and relaxing place.
Rooms are in traditional, cosy mud hut bungalows, enhanced by thatched roofs and comfortable beds, around a bougainvillea-shaded courtyard. The adjoining organic farm supplies delicious ingredients and alternative energy is used where ever is possible. There’s solar lights, water heaters and compost toilets. It’s on the west side of Jaipur road. Multilingual Ramesh Jangid runs the show and 5% of the room tariff goes to community projects. Tours around the area, via bicycles, car, camel cart or foot are available.
- Lonely Planet- Rajasthan
Attractive, comfortable, solar-lit thatched cottages traditionally built using mud and straw, modern bathroom (some with footprint toilets), home-grown vegetarian, immaculately presented, relaxing atmosphere. Accommodation and education in one enticing packing. Cooking lessons also possible. Very special place. No alcohol permitted and modest respectful dress requested. Recommended.
- Rajasthan, Foot Print
Occupying a fetching cluster of mud-walled Rajasthani Village-style huts, this pretty little eco-resort offers a perfect example of sustainable local tourism – a proportion of profit goes to support environmental and educational projects, and local artisans earn some income through involvement in resort’s stimulating programme of craft and cultural activities. Rooms (especially those in the slightly more expensive superior category) have plenty of rustic charm, and there is excellent organic food, served up in the bougainvillea-strewn garden, as well as activities including tie-dye and cookery classes, plus tours.
- The Rough Guide to India
Mr. Jangid, the owner has committed himself to socially and environmentally responsible tourism. Guests stay in clay huts and are provided with excellent vegetarian dishes from the hotel's own organic garden. Guided tours of the neighbouring villages are also organised
- India Baedecker Guide
Testimonials
From the moment we walked into the lovely courtyard of the eco-farm (Apani-Dhani), I was glad we came. This little jewel is a unique mixture of a family-run, small business and progressive environmentally-friendly practices. Ramesh, the proprietor is ready with information about how to dig beneath the local culture and see more than the usual tourist sights. Great home-made veggie food, a truely serene vibe and our room was by far the most beautiful -and typical- of any we've seen in India. Don't miss this place if you're in the Shekhawati area.
Doug Baker-Puttini Cambridge, Mass., USA
What wonderful peaceful surroundings! The friendly family atmosphere here at the Jangid's was marvelous. Our intention was to stay a night and move on to other small Shekhawati towns ... instead we used Nawalgarh as our base, as our home and explore the tranquil countryside from here. Thank you so much for the special memories you have helped us to create. Shekhawati is definitely a jewel in Rajathan and I really felt I'd stepped off the tourist bandwagon and stepped into real Indian villages.
Heather Kirkby - Canada
Thank you so much for unforgetable days here in Nawalgarh. Beautiful area, beautiful havelis and when on the top of that you meet so much of hospitality and friendliness, a stay becomes a unique experience.
Marianne Olesen- Denmark