Name Amritsar, the “City of Gurus”, and an image of Golden Temple comes to your mind, bringing in a sense of calm in you. Bunny was also in Amritsar in search of nirvana!!! And the stay at “Virasat Haveli” added an extra edge to the trip – bringing in authentic flavours of Punjab.
The entrance gate of Virasat Haveli, a beautiful farmstay at Amritsar, Punjab
The haveli is surrounded by lush green fields.
The haveli has beautiful swimming pool which is filled with fresh water everyday.
Virasat Haveli is 250 years old, made of Nanakshahi bricks – an ancient architectural marvel. It is situated around 12 km away from Amritsar town along G. T. Road, in a village named Rajepur. The building overlooks lush green agricultural fields – in harvesting season, the view is amazing. It has been renovated in 2003 with ultra modern facilities for the comfort of guests. There are attached toilets and air conditioning, running hot water round the clock, and more!
The guest can enjoy the comfort of Rural Life of Punjab.
The rooms are neat and clean, and are equipped with all modern facilities.
The best part is that there is no room tariff. You would be charged per person per night for whatever facility you may wish to use. That gives you a freedom to be comfortable like your own home – eat as much as you want, do whatever you wish. The host, Narinderjit Singh, makes extra effort to extend to you traditional hospitability. He grows the vegetables and rears the cows in his own farms – so what you get to eat and drink is organic, pure, fresh and extremely healthy. And the preparations are simply delicious. What is more, if you have any particular preference, all you have to do is to convey it to the staff, who are very helpful.
Dinning hall and rooms are decorated with beautiful glass work.
Every evening, there is a cultural programme to familiarize the guests with traditions and local folklore of Punjab. Live performance of Gidda and Bhangra is so captivating, that one is compelled to join the dances in rhythm with the music. Dinner is served in the dining hall, the ceiling of which is decorated with fine mirror work.
The guests can enjoy the authentic punjabi food at the haveli.
The local residents (non guests) are permitted to come over and have dinner in the restaurant – cum – dining hall. So, if any guest wishes to gain some indigenous knowledge, they are free to interact with them. However, the best source of authentic details is the host himself. He drops in every evening, and is extremely congenial in nature. He would go out of the way to satisfy your queries. Learn about the history of Sikhs and Punjabis, their struggle during Partition and Independence of India, heritage, traditions, and much more.
The owner has more than 10 horses and the visitors can take a joy ride.
Because you get a flavor of the village life in the Haveli, Government of Punjab also promotes this property under Rural Tourism. There is something for everyone – a swimming pool for the health conscious, horse riding facility for the adventurous, and trips to Golden Temple for the pious.
Reaching Amritsar is not a problem at all. You may travel from Delhi and travel by road, or take a direct flight. Amritsar has an international airport, a well connected railway station and a bus stand. You can avail of the free pick up and drop facility provided by Virasat Haveli. If you wish to drive down, there is ample parking facility available.
Bunny recommends Virasat Haveli to the traveler who wishes to discover the real Punjab, with a hearty ‘Sat Shri Akal!’.
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