Get Over Jaipur and Udaipur, It's Time To Explore The Untouched Royal Town Of Santrampur
Santrampur is the royal town of Rajasthan sprinkled with ancient palaces and majestic temples. The present rulers have opened up their royal palace for the world to see. Shri Joraver Vilas - the illustrious palace that occupies the center of Santrampsur - was built in 1926.
Do you have an undying urge to know more about our profound royal heritage? In pursuit of that, have you limited yourself to road-tripping only in Rajasthan and visiting big cities like Jaipur and Udaipur?
If you answered yes to both these questions, then you are in for a treat. Nestled in the lush lower ranges of the Aravali lies the royal town of Santrampur, sprinkled with ancient palaces and majestic temples, giving visitors the chance to experience royalty of a bygone era.
Image credit: Santrampur.com
The history of the royal kingdom of Santrampur.
It was in 1255 when Rana Sant, the first ruler of Santrampur, and his brother Limdev, carved out the town. All of its rulers are from Parmar clan of Rajputs and belong to the lineage of Vikramaditya emperor of Ujjain, celebrated for his wisdom, bravery, and strength. Shri Joraver Vilas - the illustrious palace that occupies the center of Santrampur - was built in 1926 by Saheb Shri Joraver Singh.
The present rulers of Santrampur are HH Maharana Paranjayaditya, and his wife, HH Maharani Mandakini Kumari, who have opened up their royal palace for the world to see. Shri Joraver Vilas occupies the center of Santrampur and is the place where you should stay.
Image credit: Shri Joraver Vilas / Instagram.
The majestic Shri Joraver Vilas
It's hands-down one of the most stunning properties you'll ever have seen; you'll be surprised you've never heard of it. This palace is an oasis of tranquility. There are five unique suite rooms decorated in classic colonial style that delicately provide an insight into how the royals would live and dine.
The property is very thoughtfully decorated and will give most of the visitors ample opportunities to click exotic pictures for their Instagram feed. Every morning you will wake up to a private and intimate breakfast that is laid out in the lush green gardens.
Since the palace is situated by the lake, we would recommend taking a boat ride. The staff does a lovely setting on the boat and also provide delicacies - from French Toast to the best Rajasthani and Gujarati snacks, they have it all. The whole vibe of eating delicious food against the backdrop of a stellar sunrise makes this entire experience magnificent.
Image credit: Shri Joraver Vilas / Instagram.
What is to discover in Santrampur?
Santrampur comprises of two townships - Sant and Rampur. Rampur is the commercial city center whereas Sant has been aptly reserved for housing palaces and majestic temples. So, a guided tour of Sant and Rampur is a must. You can rent one of the vintage jeeps that are easily available and explore on your own, in order to experience this royal town like a true local.
Image credit: Shri Joraver Vilas / Instagram.
Hawa Mahal and Raj Mahal are two palaces owned by the royal family that makes for a great view for a quiet and peaceful stroll. It's wise to read up on the archaeological history in order to make this experience as enriching as possible.
A visit to Santrampur is ideal for those who love discovering new places, have a genuine interest in royal history or just someone who is looking for an offbeat weekend getaway destination. We mean, not every vacation should be about binge drinking and partying the night away right? Sometimes being immersed in the remains for a bygone era makes for a great time too.
How to get there: From most cities flights and trains to Ahmedabad, and then a two-to-three-hour drive to Santrampur.
