Amanbagh

The Ranthambore Bagh

Taj Sawai Madhopur Lodge

Ranthambhor Regency 

Tiger Dan

Vanyavilas Resort

Amanbagh sits in isolation amidst the arid Aravalli Hills near Alwar in northern India. The region is rich in early Hindu history, dating to the dawn of Hindu civilization; awash with legend, the epic Mahabharata tells of the five Pandavas brothers who spent their last years in exile within a few miles of the resort, over two millennia ago. In the more recent past, the area was dominated by a group of warrior clans, the Rajputs, who controlled this region of India for nearly 1000 years. Raided repeatedly over time by Moghul armies, it was finally conquered in the 17th century by the Emperor Shah Jahan, the famed builder of the Taj Mahal.

The topography of the region consists of sandy plains interspersed with craggy hills and knolls, in stark contrast to the setting for Amanbagh - a lush oasis. Amanbagh derives its name from the words aman, meaning ‘peaceful' in Sanskrit and bagh, meaning ‘garden' in Hindi. It lies within a walled compound that was once used by the Maharajah of Alwar to site his mobile hunting camps in search of the elusive tigers known to roam the nearby hills. Long since abandoned, the trees and vegetation continue to thrive due to a reliable water supply drawn from an adjacent lake. The resort is every bit a modern day “palace,” conceived in the present, but humbly paying homage to the traditional architecture and design that has prevailed throughout the past.

The resort comprises a main building that rises over three levels. On the first level is the arrival area that leads to the reception hall and onto a shaded court, bordered on one side by the Dining Room and on the other, by the Lounge. Rising from the reception area is a sweeping staircase that leads to the Library and an outdoor terrace. Two external staircases lead to the Roof Terrace that is elevated above a canopy of trees and provides sweeping views over the surrounding landscape.

Beyond the main building is a swimming pool, informal dining area and wading pool, all set within landscaped grounds.

ACCOMMODATION

There are four categories of accommodation at Amanbagh.

Courtyard Haveli Suite : Eight Courtyard Haveli Suites are located on the ground level of two, two-storey structures on either side of the swimming pool. The entrance to each is via a courtyard with an outdoor dining area. Inside, there is a living area with a large banquette, two chairs, an armchair and writing desk. Beyond is a private courtyard. The adjacent bedroom has a soaring domed ceiling and king size bed whilst the bathroom is filled with natural light from windows facing the court. Each Courtyard Haveli Suite is fitted with a sound system and personal bar. The internal living space is 85 square metres and the external courtyard and terrace area measures 50 square metres.

Garden Haveli Suite : Located on the ground level are eight Garden Haveli Rooms. Identical in design and furnishings to the Courtyard Haveli Suites, they are differentiated by a private balcony that overlooks a garden.

Terrace Haveli Suite : Eight Terrace Haveli Suites are located on the upper level of the two, two-storey structures. Access to each is via a staircase that leads to private terraced courtyards, each with an outdoor dining area, daybed and two sun loungers. Inside, a sitting area is fitted with a day bed, two armchairs, and a writing desk. The bedroom offers a king size bed and a large natural light-filled bathroom with bathtub and separate dressing room. Each Terrace Haveli Suite is fitted with a sound system and personal bar. The internal living space is 95 square metres and the external terrace measures 60 square metres.

Pool Pavilion: Sixteen Pool Pavilions are located on the perimeter of the resort and offer their own private swimming pool and spacious garden. Entry to each Pavilion is via a garden courtyard that leads to two rooms linked by a glass reception hall. The hall provides access to the shared living area and bedroom on one side and to the bathroom on the other. The living area contains a king-size bed, writing desk, daybed for lounging, sound system and personal bar. The bathroom features a spacious dressing area, twin vanities, separate shower and a bathtub, carved from one piece of marble, located in the centre of the room under a domed ceiling. Double doors open from both the living area and bathroom onto the spacious garden courtyard, featuring a covered dining and lounge area. The private swimming pool measures three metres by nine metres and is cool throughout the summer months and heated during the winter months. The internal living space measures 85 square metres, the covered external space measures 30 square metres and in addition to this, pool pavilions also enjoy a private garden area.

FOOD AND DINING

The Restaurant is positioned on the lower floor of the main building and provides an intimate atmosphere beneath its double-height ceiling. Seating is either banquette-style or at tables which flow onto the outside terrace. The food is simple home-style Indian cuisine with a choice of Western dishes also available.

An alternative, informal dining venue is Poolside, located adjacent to the swimming pool. Here, the dining is outdoors beneath a covered colonnade and lunchtime fare includes sandwiches, salads and simple traditional Indian snacks.

The Library Terrace, located on the upper floor of the main building, is ideal for informal dining beneath a starlit sky, particularly during the hotter months when a cool breeze may be enjoyed.

Two external staircases lead to the Roof Terrace which is elevated above a canopy of trees and provides sweeping views over the surrounding landscape. This provides another option for dining and refreshments.

FACILITIES

The Bar and Lounge: The Bar and Lounge is located opposite the Restaurant and offers a cosy place to relax and unwind.

Library: The Library has a variety of reference books on the history, arts, culture and wildlife of India as well as a selection of novels, magazines, newspapers, audio CDs and board games. Cultural lectures on Hindu and Moghul culture, art, philosophy, religion, Ayurvedic, as well as traditional medicine and cuisine will be given in the Library by renowned experts. Internet access is available via desktop computer.

Boutique: Alwar and Jaipur are world-famous for their arts and crafts. Housed on two levles, the Boutique offers the region's finest selection of silverware, jewellery, textiles and fashion. A variety of convenience items is also available.

Swimming Pool: The swimming pool is centred within the resort's gardens and measures 33 metres by 12 metres. Light meals and snacks are available poolside throughout the day. Beyond the swimming pool is the wading pool measuring 12 metres by 12 metres. Both pools remain cool throughout the summer and are heated during the colder months.

Spa: A team of highly-skilled therapists provides a range of healing therapies as well as more traditional treatments such as facials, massages and scrubs. These are available in the resort's Spa treatment rooms or in guest havelis. Treatments use Aman Spa products which are exclusively made from the purest natural ingredients.

Yoga: Yoga and meditation are offered in the resort as well as the nearby scenic surroundings.

Once a princely state, Alwar now forms part of the larger present-day state of Rajasthan. Today it is rarely travelled, hidden between the more popular destinations of Agra and Jaipur. Alwar and the surrounding Shekhawati region provide the opportunity to witness and experience first hand a traditional Indian lifestyle.

The countryside is interspersed with small rural hamlets, narrow streets, simple dwellings, active markets, and subsistence agriculture. At almost every turn lies a ruin or relic from a lost empire and resort activities include visits to rural villages, the Ajabgarh Fort and the town of Alwar. All excursions are within a 30 kilometre radius of Amanbagh and provide an opportunity to travel through breathtaking scenery year-round.

ALWAR AND SURROUNDS

A plethora of outdoor activities are within the immediate vicinity of Amanbagh, including trekking, horseback and camelback rides to the nearby Madar Baba Ki Chattri for spectacular 360-degree views of the surrounding area. Rowing on Ajabgarh Lake during the months of August until February can also be arranged. Of particular interest are tours to traditional Meena villages. Unique to the region, the Meena are a minority race who have settled over the centuries in the nearby hidden valleys. Renowned for their colourful dress, jewellery and crafts, the Meena have retained their traditional lifestyle that embraces few hints of modernity.

Ajabgarh Fort

Ajabgarh, meaning ‘the place of mysteries,' is named after its founder Ajab Singh Rajawat, a grandson of the prominent ruler, Madho Singh, of Bhangarh. The great Moghul Emperor Akbar is said to have stayed in Ajabgarh during one of his military campaigns against the Hindu Rajputs. In the 10th century it became the favourite hunting ground of the infamous Maharajah Jai Singh of Alwar. Today, Ajabgarh's finest attraction is its marble-fronted temple, Shri Raghunathji, with its 24-pillared open courtyard and marble facade.

The Bhangarh

Of great archaeological importance is the Bhangarh, located 10 kilometres from Amanbagh. Magnificently preserved, this Moghul-Hindu princely city was built in 1631, by Madho Singh, brother of Emperor Akbar's general, Man Singh. A generation following its completion, it was deserted overnight after being cursed by a court magician, who unsuccessfully attempted to seduce Bhangarh's beautiful Queen. Still uninhabited today, this city of magnificent bazaars, palaces, gardens, temples and bathing pools stands as a perfect memento to 17th century princely India.

Narayani Mata Temple

On the edge of Sariska National Park, 14 kilometres from Amanbagh is Narayani Mata temple. As the most sacred pilgrimage site for the people from Alwar, its sanctity is matched only by Pushkar and Mount Abu. According to legend, Narayani Mata is the site of the first Sati (immolation by fire) in Northern India. The legend states that following the death of her husband from a snakebite, Narayani was stricken by grief and knelt in prayer beside his unlit funeral pyre. Such was her devotion to Lord Shiva and so fervent her wish to join her dead husband, that Lord Shiva sent his holy fire to consume them both. Marking the site is a holy spring - an unusual source of water in a semi-desert land - that acts as a draw to colourfully dressed pilgrims offering their puja to Narayani Mata's main Shiva temple.

Mansarover Lake

Mansarover or ‘made by Shiva' lake is a birdwatcher's paradise from October to February. Like its namesake in the Himalayas, it professes to bestow beauty and youth to anyone who bathes therein.

Sariska Nature and Game Sanctuary

Once the personal hunting ground of the Maharajah of Alwar, this 765 square kilometre sanctuary is home to a wide range of wild animals including leopards, deer, wild cats, caracals, wild boars, jackals and monkeys. Sariska is a 35-minute drive away from Amanbagh.

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