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Hotel Ramathra Fort

Hotel Ramathra Fort:
Ramathra Fort lies between two of India’s internationally famous wildlife reserves, Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur and Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in Sawai Madhopur. The closest wilderness area, Kailadevi National Park, is just 15 kms away.

The fort, the lake and countryside are the three big attractions of Ramathra Fort. The ideal season to enjoy Ramathra is between the months of October and March. Regardless of how much time you have to spend, or how much you wish to do, the adventure is yours. Whether you prefer to stay home and take in the fort’s tranquil atmosphere or wish to explore its many natural sites, your hosts at Ramathra promise you a memorable stay.

ABOUT RAMATHRA FORT:
Ramathra was granted as a jagir (fiefdom) in 1645 AD to Thakur Bhoj Pal by his father the Maharaja of Karauli. The name Ramathra honours Lord Rama, who, it is believed, camped here while on his epic journey to Lanka. Today, Ramathra Fort belongs to Thakur Brijendra Raj Pal and his family who are descendents of the founder.

The fort has a strong perimeter wall crowned with parapets. Its ramparts are wide and offer a spectacular view from the hilltop. Inside there is a multi-story palace, parts of which are being restored using traditional building techniques and local craftspeople. Stone lattices and a painted ceiling ornament the otherwise simple facilities. It was, after all, designed to be a battle fort. A complete walking tour of the Ramathra village, a small hamlet of farmers and herders, takes about 3 hours. You see all kinds of work associated with tending crops and animals, and caring for children. Absent is a bazaar with commercial traffic or food stalls. After the sun goes down, Bhajan-singing and community activities are more common than radio or television. Among its numerous shrines, the Ganesh Mandir and Shiva Mandir give the best flavour of local religious life. The pure white marble idol of Lord Shiva, the great Ascetic, is a masterpiece of early 18th century craftsmanship. Bring your camera and be ready to tell about your family and home because the people of Ramathra are curious to learn about you too!

KALISIL LAKE VIEW:
Ramathra Fort has a commanding view of the countryside. One can sit on the top of the fort’s massive outer wall and look out over farmland, rugged scrub of the Daang plateau, Kalisil Lake and its irrigation canal. Sunrises are especially spectacular and at twilight one can watch herds returning from the jungle or the blue bull grazing in the forest scrub below.

Water birds are the big attraction of Kalisil Lake which lies along the same flyway as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary just 175 kms to the north. Besides being a rich feeding ground for ducks, storks and cormorants who visit every winter, there are plenty of local water fowl like kingfishers, sarus cranes, stilts and herons to see year round. Kalisil Lake is large. It was formed over 50 years ago when the Kalisil River was dammed for an irrigation scheme that now benefits farmers in Ramathra and its neighboring villages along the canal. The lake is fed by monsoon rains and when full, its spreads 17 kms from the dam all the way to the holy town of Kailadevi. Even when the monsoon is light there is sufficient water for boating. A two to three seater boat equipped with paddles and life-vests is available for rent with or without a guide to bird watch, search for crocodile dens and possible crocodile sightings. Bring your binoculars and your telephoto lens – this is reason enough to visit Ramathra fort.

COUNTRY SIDE VIEWS:
What distinguishes Ramathra Fort from many other heritage homes is its remoteness from the urbane and closeness to nature. Ramathra is part of a green farming belt in the Kalisil River valley. The Daang plateau, stretching east to the Chambal River valley and as far as Ranthambhore to the south, is filled with gorges. Until recently, tigers roamed the area as did notorious bandits. Today, tigers are rare and the bandits only legendary, but visitors regularly see several varieties of deer, blue bulls, wolves jackals, hyenas and, if lucky, a wild boar, bear or leopard.

Jeep safaris from Ramathra Fort take you across the Daang through its badlands to several spectacular places that are best explored on foot. Destinations include Utgir Fort at the rim of the Chambal River valley, cave temples of Ghanteshvar and Kurka, and the Chuaki gorge. With all the jeep safaris you’ll meet villagers and see their homes as they tend small plots in the fertile valley or herd cattle on the Daang scrub. Several stops are planned when crossing the Daang for photography and animal-spotting, making the journey as fun and interesting as the destination.

HOW TO REACH RAMATHRA FORT:

BY ROAD

Access routes and distances by road to Ramathra Fort:

AGRA – RAMATHRA: 225 kms
Route: Bharatpur-Mahuwa-Karauli-Sapotra-Ramathra

JAIPUR – RAMATHRA: 180 kms
Route: Dausa-Sikandra-Gangapur City-Sapotra-Ramathra

BHARATPUR – RAMATHRA: 175 kms
Route: Mahuwa-Karauli-Sapotra-Ramathra

DELHI – RAMATHRA: 350 kms
Route: Alwar-Sikandra-Gangapur City-Sapotra-Ramathra

RANTHAMBHORE – RAMATHRA
Tar Road: 80 kms
Country Road: Across the River Banas accessible by Jeeps or 4WD vehicles only – 58 kms

ACTIVITIES AT RAMTHRA FORT:
Jeep Safaries – Tour the countryside, visit ‘Gujar’ hamlets, explore a cavernous gorge and an old cave temple, then enjoy a high tea in a jungle setting. Return early evening for possible wildlife sightings enroute accompanied by your host.

Cross Country Jeep Safari to Ranthambhore – Depart Ramathra Fort, lunch stop & tour of Ranthambhore Fort and return to Ramathra Fort.

Day trip to Kaila Devi National Park – Visit the famous Kaila Devi temple and drive past various picturesque rural dwellings enroute.

Day trip To Karauli – Take an art and architectural tour of City Palace, visit the Madan Mohanji temple, lunch at Bhanwar Vilas Palace and return to Ramathra Fort.

Paddle Kalisil Lake – Explore Kalisil Lake and its bird life up close in a double kayak made available to experienced paddlers only. Use of the kayak and gear is free but taking a local guide along for a nominal fee is highly recommended. Guests are expected to return all gear after use. Ask your host about details.

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