If you are a couple living in the fast & furious city of Delhi who desperately need some time together or your love life needs a quick boost or just a simple relaxing break together, there’s no better place than Neemrana.
Neemrana is an ancient historical town in Alwar district of Rajasthan, India, situated just 122 km from Delhi on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway. It is the site of 14th century Hill-Fort, known as Neemrana Fort Palace, ruled by Chauhans till 1947. Built since 1464 AD, the Neemrana Fort-Palace is today among India’s oldest heritage resorts, started in 1986. It is located on a high hillock and it commands magnificent views of the surrounding beauty and got its name from a valiant local chieftain named Nimola Meo. The Fort is surrounded by the Neemrana village, which is a typical rajasthani village.
Like any other working couple, we decided to take a much needed break during monsoons and drove to Neemrana during a weekend. The drive on the NH 8 Delhi-Jaipur highway is always pleasant, with the rocky landscape dotting both sides of the highway; however, in the monsoons, it’s utterly romantic as the hills come alive with lush green vegetation, the birds chirp and once in while, if you are lucky, you can also spot Neelgais grazing nearby the highway. The drive from Delhi to Neemrana takes around 2 hours and it’s quite an easy ride for drivers.
The best place to stay in Neemrana, is of course the Neemrana Fort Palace. When you step inside this fort, you will virtually get transported to an entirely different world. The ambiance is simply captivating and features period furniture, antique works of art and frescoed paintings.
The fort is built on 9 levels, offering wide range of views, no matter which room one stays in. As we approached the main entrance of the Fort, winding up the narrow pathway, we could feel a sense of calm all around; the fort premises were totally quiet and it felt as if we were the only people around. Once we settled into our rooms, we headed for the pool for some quiet time together.
It was a magical time we spent lounging in the pool, watching the clouds pass over us, the amazing landscape surrounding us and the mad calls of love crazy peacocks (trying to attract mates in the monsoons).
Then, we decided to explore the beautiful landscape surrounding us and got ourselves booked for a camel ride in the nearby hillocks. The camel ride was adventurous, with the camel taking us around at a leisurely pace through the hillocks and village. We spotted a number of peacocks dancing merrily in the hillocks, as if to celebrate the coming of monsoons.
Soon, it was evening and time for high tea amidst Rajasthani folk music. It was such a romantic and captivating experience for both of us watching the amazing sun setting into the rocky landscape, having wonderful tea and listening to melodious folk music. Time stood still for us and our all our worried seemed to be far away; it was just the two of us and the lovely landscape around us. The wonderful evening ended with a delicious dinner.
Next morning, we got up early and again hit the pool, this time rains decided to keep us company. It was a different experience lounging about in the pool in the rains, but a real fun one nonetheless!!
When the rains stopped, we freshened up and explored the fort, going around the various nooks, corridors, rooms and terraces spread over it 9 levels. It was such an adventure and we felt like 2 explorers lost in an exotic fort where time did not matter.
But in the real world, time does matter and it was time for us to head back!! We headed back to Delhi with many happy memories of our time together and a resolve to visit here again & again!!!
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