atulaFort Jadhavgarh…Maharashtra’s first Fort Hotel
July 19th 2008 06:30
Steps to the inner fort area
Fort Jadhavgarh, Pune
India is actually known for its fort hotels. Every year millions of tourists from around the world come to India in search of a rich experience filled with royalty, charisma, magnanimity and luxury. In fact India has become a much sought after destination for the celestial royal style wedding in one of its many forts and palaces. But till date 90% of these hotels were in Rajasthan, which is still a state in India where you will see royalties living the same glorious life as in the times of the monarchy.
Maharashtra, the state whose capital is Mumbai, has many forts and palaces especially from the time of the Maratha emperor Shivaji maharaj, but till date no effort have been taken to renovate or restore these structures to be converted into hotels or even better tourist attractions.
But for Fort Jadhavgarh, at least things are looking brighter. The modern restoration has brought back the old glory of this warrior fort without destroying the solid and stoic original fort walls. During troubled times in the history of Maharashtra, the Maratha rulers were in constant fight for power with the mighty Mughals. At that time generals like Pilaji Jadhavrao were asked to built these fort like structures around there area of residence to stand through enemy attacks as well as act as a place for shelter for the people.
Those who have visited fort and palaces in Rajasthan may perhaps be a bit disappointed when looking at Fort Jadhavgarh for the first time, because it is in no way as gigantic as the Rajasthan forts. But in spite of the comparatively small structure, the royal treat in store for the visiting guests is in no way minute. From the moment you enter the fort area, the staff ensures that you get a treat suiting royalty. The 300-year-old stone steps take you to the huge entryway that has a still intact spiked doorway made to counter enemy attacks. Here after a traditional Indian welcome of aarti and teeka, you may be a bit surprised to find another set of stone steps ahead. This is because the fort has been built with an outer fortification wall and an inner residential area, an architectural maneuver that was used to fool the enemy and delay him form entering the fort.
Today, the inner part of these outer walls has been quite intelligently compartmentalized into lavish rooms on three sides and a multi cuisine restaurant and a roof top barbeque den on the fourth side. The inner fort area now hold the suite, swimming pool and a state of the art gym for those who still need exercise after the not-so-easy climb up the stone staircase!
One of the lavish rooms
If living in true Maharaja style was not enough, the fort also boasts of being an eco friendly 5 star super deluxe hotel. Every room here has an eco sensitive button that automatically adjusts the room lights and heating when not in use. To preserve water, the hotel recycles the ac water and the bathroom water. The laundry too is washed on alternated days if you choose to do so, to save water.
And yes, this is also the only hotel in the world to have a museum in its premises. This wonderful place holds some age-old artifacts collected by Mr. Kamat himself.
Fort Jadhavgarh is truly a luxurious treat. Just 4 hours by road from Mumbai and 30 minutes from Pune, it is located at such a convenient distance that no tourist can afford to miss this exuberant holiday destination. It can become a good weekend trip, a honeymooner’s palace, a stylish business conference venue, a fashionable party place and of course a place for a truly memorable royal wedding.
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Comment by Priyanka
Mumbai Corner
Lets see if I can check it out.