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Sarai (or Serai) is an ancient Persian
term for an inn and Toria is a nearby village; hence the Sarai at
Toria. Welcome! The Sarai at Toria’s uniquely designed accommodation
is situated on a beautiful riverside site, close to Khajuraho in
Madhya Pradesh, India. It can be a destination in itself, as the
surrounding area is full of wonderful history and natural beauty,
and it is also conveniently located to fit into a number of central
Indian itineraries.
This luxurious but earth-friendly small
retreat is envisaged as the founding component of a wider project that
seeks to play a positive role in the economic and social development of
the local area; we also see it as a base for conservation activities and
for wildlife and climate change research.
Facilities
The Sarai at Toria opens with 6
independent cottage rooms, each having attached bathrooms, verandas
and private courtyards; we will later add a further 4 rooms. Four of
the present six cottages are especially suitable for families, as we
have included tucked-away mezzanine bed spaces that are great for
children.
Keeping environmental concerns in
mind, we have used minimal concrete and steel and sourced most of
our materials locally - mud, stone, wood, brick, lime, tile, bamboo
and grass. Our spacious cottages are fabricated in mud, with
thatched roofs; we have combined traditional methods and modern
architectural design to insulate them from the extremes of the
outside climate. But the rustic mud exteriors hide elegant and
contemporary interiors.
A large dining and lounge area is
situated on the highest point of the land commanding magnificent
views over the Ken River and towards the plateau of the Panna Tiger
Reserve. This stone, wood and tile building, designed in an open
style, is the perfect place to view sunrises and sunsets and
generally to relax and enjoy the tranquil scenery.
Activities
It may be tempting at the Sarai at Toria
just to laze around enjoying the peaceful surroundings but, within easy
driving distance, you can also explore many exciting destinations, some
of which have yet to find their way onto the tourist map.
At 'home' we offer boat rides and fishing
on the pristine Ken river, walks through the crop fields of the
surrounding countryside and birding on site or at nearby forest and
wetland areas. Lunch in the cool shade of a spreading neem tree or dine
by candlelight under the stars.
A sample of tour destinations include:
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Khajuraho - this world heritage
site of 1000-year-old temples is well known for its magnificent
sculptures.
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Panna Tiger Reserve - the reserve
encompasses a unique landscape of gorges and plateaus that provide
important habitat for an abundance of central Indian dry forest
species.
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see the ancient art of past civilization
along the escarpments of the Panna Tiger Reserve.
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Waterfalls – some of
these are historic and seasonally very dramatic.
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Maheba/Dhubela – see
the majestic Chhatris of the Bundela Maharaja, Chhatrasal
(1649–1731) and his queens and explore the remaining ruins of his
capital city. The Dhubela museum, situated in an old fort, contains
sculptures and artefacts revealing more of the "historical enigma"
of the Bundela kings.
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Ajaygarh Fort – a rarely visited
wonderful hilltop fort that has equally rich and even older temples
and carvings than Khajuraho. These ruins are situated in dry forest,
in a setting similar to how Khajuraho may have been when it was
rediscovered.
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Panna – a town with
an interesting mix of architecture - ancient, Mughal, Bundela and
even Palladian styles. There are several fascinating places to
explore, ranging from modern temples to ancient cenotaphs.
Room View
Click Map To Enlarge
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