Fateh Garh

FATEH GARH

Sun was about to dip behind the hills which wore a green coat after the recent monsoons. Groups of parrots flew by twittering the day adieu. A haze was slowly blurring the view of the Pichchola Lake wearing a silver blanket. A few crimson clouds floated by the hill. The sky was gradually turning grey awaiting the blanket of darkness. Udaipur known as the city of lakes was preparing to go to sleep after the day’s toil. Finally the crimson ball sank behind one of the hills; all was still; the entire city visible from the hill top was lit up with tiny lights glittering in the grey sky. This was the view from Fateh Garh – a heritage renaissance resort atop one of the hills a few kilometers off the main city of lakes.

Unhindered view of the city on one side and hills on the others, there are no noises, simply sounds – of Nature ; whispering crickets, occasional cooing of the night birds and the breeze whispering a rhapsody in the ears. Sitting next to one of the swimming pools which gives a panoramic view of the city at a distance, I enjoyed the sun set at Fateh Garh. I had arrived a few hours ago winding my way through a tiny village on the outskirts of the city. Crossing a huge fort-like gate on the ascent of the hill, the cab had reached a porch where I was greeted by village women singing a welcome song their own traditional way and showering rose petals as a mark of respect. I had witnessed such traditional welcome earlier too, but by trained staff of a hotel or resort; these were real village folk. A red carpet was laid out on the stony path up to the lobby and reception. The lobby, a huge hall is decorated with old art objects. The lobby has large glass windows looking out onto the hills. A glass elevator painted by local artisans had taken me to the second level where I was given a room facing the hills.

The room was really big and spacious, so much so that one could have had three king size beds placed in it, a big bath with tub and large glass windows to enjoy the hills outside. The air conditioned room was equipped with a small fridge and a tea maker. The usual fruit basket was replaced by more expensive cashew kernels and almonds.

Each time I had passed by a staff member of the resort, they had wished me ‘Ram Ram Sa’ with folded hands – the traditional greeting in villages of Rajasthan. I had taken a round of the resort, seen a couple of suites and the ‘darikhana’ or the sitting lounge that gave a glimpse of the city. Even the restaurant on the terrace, ‘baradari’ and open eating area is enchanting. One could sit here for hours enjoying the star lit sky, the hills around and the city beyond; as if you are perched on top of the city and yet away from it.

The terrace is an ideal place for a cup of evening tea or enjoying a drink as you wait for your dinner. The tables placed on the terrace are lit up with glimmering candles. Most of the guests staying in the hotel prefer to enjoy their dinner here on the terrace.

When it comes to food, one can opt for authentic Rajasthani cuisine or go for continental one too. The breakfast is served in the ‘Prasadam,’ a restaurant at the lobby level. Fateh Garh is much more than what meets the eye. It is, perhaps, the only resort which utilises alternative sources of energy to meet its daily requirements. A windmill on the back side of the building is a proof of it. The wind turbine produces 15% of the total energy needs of the resort. The wind turbine is supported by photovoltaic solar panels to provide continuous energy for public area lights. The man behind these eco-friendly policies of the resort is its Managing Director, Mr. Jitendra Singh Rathore who proudly points out the areas that are lit up by the home-generated electricity. “We have energy saver lights in the public areas and they do not consume much, so we do not depend on the local power supply for them,” he says smiling.

“The vastu based building provides for very good air circulation and additionally has windows in west which can be opened to let in fresh breeze in summers and close in winters if the weather is too cold. This ensures energy efficiency in terms of air conditioning in summer and heaters in winters,” added Mr. Rathore.

Further to save energy solar panels are being used for providing hot water in the guest rooms. Solar lights light up pathways. Solar cookers are used for bulk cooking and hot water from solar panels is supplied to the kitchens for use in cooking. The resort uses CFL’s and LED lights for efficient and economic usage of power.

To conserve water, rain water harvesting is done at the resort. Water wastage has been minimized at Fateh Garh. Recycled wood used for doors, windows and furniture for all the rooms. Interestingly antique furniture has been used thereby reducing pressure on fresh trees for building the resort. All material used for building is from locally available raw material only and nothing has been brought from outside the region, reducing transportation in building the resort.

No doubt Fateh Garh is an earnest effort to conserve energy and water and to utilize renewable sources of energy. This is an appreciable effort. Such individual efforts ought to be rewarded by the Ministry of Tourism.

What was initially not clear to me was the term ‘heritage renaissance resort,’ so I came up with the question which Mr. Rathore explained, “Heritage renaissance is a term used to describe the transplanting of the stone by stone, pillar by pillar of a heritage structure from a place not very far away to a new location thereby conserving the rich architectural heritage for the generations to come. Everything at Fateh Garh has been conceptualized, designed and executed to revitalize the environmental, cultural and spiritual heritage of the past.”

To make it more interesting, the hosts at Fateh Garh are members of the Kelwa family who have been Nobles in the court of Mewar since the 15th century. Having lost their livelihood post 1947, the family has been involved in tourism. Guests have the opportunity of interacting with members of the family on a variety of topics such as Indian culture, history and mythology.

Fateh Garh is not just another resort, it is an unforgettable experience, it is different from others in ambience, hospitality and its ecological concept bringing you closer to nature .