Shahpura Bagh

This wooded estate is the summer home of the royal family of Shahpura, a tiny town known for its palaces turned into schools, enviable expanses of greenery and the atmospheric Dhikola Fort. Shahpura Bagh comprises two wings, one of which serves as the home for the Rathore family and the other houses the guests who chance upon this little-known gem in Bhilwara district. Visitors here can closely experience the royal hospitality, from home-cooked gourmet fare to evening chats with the Rathore brothers who often regale guests with tales of bygone eras. On morning walks around the estate, you will find ample visual and auditory evidence of colourful peacocks with eye-catching wingspans. In the monsoon season, they preen all the time to impress their consorts, as do the other birds in Shahpura, ranging from parakeets and lapwings to herons and egrets. For a glimpse of the rustic life, take a trip to nearby villages.