The bathroom, is a revelation, rough local slate slabs, an ornate wood basin counter and large enough to house a kitchen. It spans the width of the tent. With just a curtain at the doorway, it offers the luxury and privacy of a real bathroom, unlike at a Camp. Again, a conscious choice to be rustic and luxurious simultaneously…and it succeeds. God, is in the details said legendary architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. At Chhatrasagar you see it in the traditional Rajasthani motifs block printed onto the interior of the 11 Tent rooms, each unique. In the choice of bar table,In the beds turned down for the night, with a hot water bottle tucked in, duly covered in a Rajasthani cotton block printed cover. In the rose petals scattered in the Bathroom. In the perfect pigeon blood ruby color of the pomegranate served with honey and perfect homemade yoghurt and honey at breakfast. It is apparent in the complete lack of ostentation yet, a sense of heightened luxury using locally sourced materials. No fancy lighting scheme on the Terrace….a conscious choice to let the fiery flames add the drama every evening. No extravagant seating on the Terrace either, armchairs like they had on the verandahs in most of our Grandparents’ homes. The bar counter- literally on a wooden limb is a conversation piece; the unobtrusive yet prompt service, the warm hosts talking of the story of the land and water…nothing detracts from the experience, only heightens it. Across the water body is an unspoiled wetland, allowed to grow wild, preserving much of the flora and fauna…several small animals and over 200 species of birds inhabit it. Telescopes are set up and walking tours
organized through this…a much beloved Back to Nature activity. The deliberate choice to let the wetlands grow wild, is again Design. That it adds tremendous value to the visit experience and forms an endless vista is magical. Sitting outside my tent with my binoculars, I spotted a spectacular peacock. As I sipped my ‘chai’, ruminating in the quiet off the lake and the floating horizon, beyond the vast wetland, seemed to beckon. A moment of quiet reflection. Another interesting visit is to see the farms and the villages that live around the lake. Simple, hardworking folk, living off the land, respecting the land and all it gives them. A lifestyle similar to that of their ancestors. Colorful turbans, beautiful long skirts, a long flowing fabric shading their eyes from the sun, the rural folk work hard and are in harmony with Nature. How water is managed is a hallmark of city planning and testifies the intent of the governing body. Deserts are some of the most challenging places to inhabit and water in a desert so precious. The finest tribute to the vision of their great grandfather Thakur Chhatra Singh was to establish the Chhatrarsagar Tented Camp. The 11 tents situated on the hundred and twenty nine year old Retaining wall, with 2 tents a bit higher up, along with the 2 larger tents for Meals and the Lounge comprise Camp Chhatrasagar. I had the privilege to visit last year, and it more than lived up to the story. It was a revelation in terms of scale and material…and what struck me was the sheer simplicity of it all. It was exactly as promised, and so much more.
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