Patan Mahal- A Royal Getaway on the foothills of Rajasthan

Nestled at the foothills of the majestic Aravalli range, this quaint little village town of Patan is a reminiscence of history blended with the ruins of war to the curious respite seeking traveller.

Known to be the battleground site of the infamous Battle of Patan, the setting fits well into the picturesque postcard a battleground promises to share, full of secret doors, narrow alleys and heroic stories. In this same setting, towards the end of the settlement, lies the rustic palace of Patan, an illustration of Rajasthani culture and home to the royal Rao Digvijay Singh’s family; proudly known as the Patan Mahal.

Located at about 70kms northeast of Jaipur on the National Highway 8, the Palace is almost a five-hour drive from Delhi. Surrounded by uphill treks to a fort on the top of the adjacent hill, a farm where most of the produce is locally grown and an 800-year-old fort, the heritage haveli boasts of almost nineteen rooms with all modern amenities, while still upholding the culture and values of the Rajputana and the Patan family. The vintage-styled architecture, the airy and spacious infrastructure, the restored old-age paintings, the artistically done up porch and the strong scent of antiquity all add up beautifully to lend romance and surrealism to the backdrop of the place. When sitting in the balcony, sipping on a hot cup of tea and staring at the view of the setting sun, one feels that it is the most needed respite and relaxation that he has been craving for all this while. One can also spend time lazing by their pool, which has spectacular views of the surrounding palace and fort, especially during dawns and dusks. There is a flight of long stairs which lead to the palace which make for the perfect Instagrammable spot for pictures of the Rajasthani delight, standing arrogantly tall in the background.

How to spend time in Patan?

One can opt for a full day picnic to Badalgarh Mahal, which is a trek halfway up the mountain offering marvellous visuals of the panoramic village around. Trek enthusiasts can also choose to walk up to the fort located on the peak of the hill which earns its fame from the fact that it is one of the few forts in India which has never been conquered by an invading army.

Downhill, the village is a peaceful place to take a walk in and spend time with the village folks. Do not miss on the lakh bangles making sessions offered by the local women in the patio of their cute little huts. You can offer to buy some of these colourful bangles, but most importantly, do remember to leave them with your smile as it is not very usual for them to meet new people especially in these difficult times. They also help you learn pottery on special request and you can spend a day helping them make pots and vessels which they further use for their homes and for painting purposes.

What to eat?

Do not forget to ask the Chef for his version of Rajasthani Lal Maans and Jungli Chicken. They can also arrange dinners and cocktails in the open air where one can see the clear sky dotted with hundreds of stars, from the beautifully lit up space in the centre of the property.

A must-do destination in your bucket list; engulfed in silence miles away from the city chaos, exuding tales of victory and armour, smeared with the heritage of old Rajasthani legacy, Patan Mahal is the destination that helps you instantly switch off and sink into the warmth of royal and vintage Rajasthani hospitality.

For more travel related information: https://www. lonelyplanet.com/en-in

Author’s note

How to get there?
A five-hour drive on the Delhi-Jaipur highway will take you to Patan Mahal. Jaipur Railway Station and Jaipur Airport are also the closest to the village

Key features
Old age Rajasthani hospitality, farms and local produce, local Rajasthani food and a majestic view of the Aravallis

What to do?
Trekking, walking in the village, farming and day-long sun-bathing around the pool and the beautifully laid terrace

How to get around?
You can easily walk around the village as it is a very tiny little hamlet

About the author:
Enchanted by the fragility and the unpredictability of the Arctic, the author is forever in awe of places having unusual histories and unknown futures. When not globestalking, she helps people discover places through her stories. You can find her here

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