I am sipping masala tea with delicious local savouries under the gorgeous mango tree which holds pride of place in the sprawling 5.3 acre Aamaghati Wildlife Resort named after the mango tree-lined ravine. It is located right at the fringes of Ranthambore National Park, a tiger habitat.
I walk through the ‘Singhdwar’ to enter the reception area and happy to get a warm welcome by the friendly team. Adorned with hand drawn paintings of scenes straight from the National Park, the decor here is delightful.
Singh Dwar – Lobby
The huge painting of Trinetra Ganesha behind the reception desk, takes the centre-stage. It is inspired by the ancient Ganesh temple inside the forest. The folk musicians give me a smile as I pass, while singing and playing their unique instrument. Needless to say, I am in a true state of bliss, leaving behind the cacophony of city life.
History, Culture & Design
With vivacious Yogesh Maharavat escorting me, I am made comfortable as I reach my room in a golf cart. The air is laden with aromatic plants and and the sounds of rustling trees add a sense of drama.
The resort’s layout replicates the Ranthambore National Park and its zones to recreate local history. For instance, the Chauhan kings of Ranthambore stored rations and liquor for the Rajput forces within the Fort.
The liquor cellars and granaries were called ‘Johra Bohra’ and the garrison dined in the ‘Badal Mahal’. These are the names kept at the Aamaghati resort for its bar and dining hall so that it reflects the history and legends of the fort.
Baradari, with beautiful views of the forest was where the King’s court and family dined and the resort’s main restaurant with its unbridled views of the forest is aptly named so. As I walked through the resort, I could get the feel of age-old stories, traditions, culture and geography of this forest region as reflected by the thoughtful elements all around.
This ode to the forest reaches its epitome with each room named after a famous Ranthambore tiger. So you may be a guest in a room named Mr. Bond or Sundari or Charger and every room is given a number starting with T For eg. T-17 which is how the tigers of Ranthambore Park are identified. Since the resort prioritises nature and mindfulness luxury, the palette of sandstone, wood and earthy textures echo the surrounding Ranthambore landscape. Every room opens into an outdoor seating area overlooking the Aravalli range. It offered me a serene retreat of unparalleled comfort.
Luxurious Wildlife-Themed Rooms and Suites
Elegant Room
Suites are available in four categories: Evoke, Elegant, Legacy Suites, and Signature Suites. Regardless of the category, all rooms overlook the scenic Aravali mountains and are comfortable and luxurious. To add to the mood, each room is named after a famous Ranthambore tiger.
So you may be a guest in a room named Mr. Bond or Sundari or Charger and every room is given a number starting with T For eg. T-17 which is how the tigers of Ranthambore are identified. The aesthetics of every room and suite are once again reflective of the outdoors.
View from the balcony
While the ambience is that of a traditional village house with bamboo and wicker roofs and logs of teak, the amenities provided in the room are luxurious. The rooms are decorated with local art sourced within a radius of 100 kms and a view of the forest from the rooms adds a wonderful feel of the outdoors. At sunrise, one gets a stunning view of the forest and the sound of many chirping birds in the trees is a delightful wake-up call.
Since Aamaghati is a wildlife resort and the early morning jungle safaris are a high priority, the best suite has been thoughtfully provided with two bathrooms so that a couple can get fresh and ready for the safari in the shortest possible time. The most luxurious Signature suite is an expansive 2000 sq. feet and designed for an intimate feel with mood lighting and charming details.
Aamaghati’s Hearty Feast of Flavours
Every dining venue gave me an opportunity to enjoy outdoors. The Baradari multicuisine restaurant has a dozen large windows that give an expansive view of the forest.
Jogi Mahal Dining area
Artefacts on display and the hand-painted details by the local artists give a feel of the village. Badal Mahal, an outdoor venue is to enjoy the outdoors. The design theme runs through the bar, ‘Johra Bohra’ where you can have your choice of beverages while watching a wildlife film on the large screen.
What I thoroughly enjoyed was the rooftop terrace, ‘High-Point’ a place to soak in the beauty of the surrounding forest landscape from here.
Holistic Wellness
After an adventure-packed Safari, it is time to indulge in a traditional Ayurvedic massage.Block your slot at in-house Sri Sri Wellbeing Centre that has a complete range of exclusive relaxation therapies. I take a quick nap while the hot oil works on my knots. Here every detail is crafted to enhance the holistic experience.
Take a dip at the infinity pool or spend sometime at the Play Zone. I prefer to go for a long walk and return on time for High Tea under the mango tree. Every guest looks forward to this event where live tea station stands for brewing hot tea. Reconnect with other guests over delectable bites and enjoy live folk music, local art and crafts.
Sustainability Shines
The Resort narrates a story of an exemplary architecture inspired by Nature and Heritage. The design aesthetics speaks volumes of minimalism. The concept was created by Mud Architecture pioneers, the late Revathi and Vasant Kamath, who unfortunately passed away during the pandemic.
Despite the tragedy, the resort owners pursued their vision and built an environment-friendly and sustainable resort. Here a special technique involving mud, cow dung and lime plaster is used along with thatched roofs and bamboo details. The lime plaster matures after fifty years and is a key feature of sustainable architecture. Cement usage throughout the premises is minimal.
Glass bottles are provided for guest use and the resort has its own water bottling plant. ESTP plants have been installed and rivulets running through the property recharge the groundwater. Treated waste water is utilised for maintaining the green cover. All these factors contribute to Aamaghati’s Net Zero Plus status and the most sustainable resort of the region.
Verdict
Quiet meals under the canopy of stars; a celebration with family or friends or simply an escape from the noise, Aamaghati promises an immersive, responsible, and serene staycation which is truly precious. As I bid goodbye to the team, I say to myself – Ah! How much I will miss the lingering whispers of the chirping birds.
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