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About
Khempur |
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The
small village of Khempur is a about fifty kilometres from the
lake city of Udaipur. The village was named after Khemraj, a
hero who saved a Rajput prince from murder and was thus
presented with the village. Ravla Khempur meaning home of the
Khempur village lord, is the focal point of the village and
hosts the festivals, parties and village meetings. Now
converted into a hotel with ten spacious and cordially
decorated rooms, the exteriors are appealing and relaxed with
open courtyards, well maintained gardens, strategically placed
lighting and stylish baithaks or seating areas.
The village below the ravla consists of narrow lanes, rural
dwellings and shaded squares where the locals collect to
socialize. Beyond the village are lush mustard and millet
farmlands that produce the raw ingredients for the beautiful
meals at the hotel and also for the village livelihood. The
owner of Ravla Khempur, Mr Hemant Deval Singh, has a penchant
for horses and the stables have some of the finest purebred
Marwari and Kathiawari horses. You have the option of testing
your riding skills!
Khempur village developed over the centuries to one side of
the Ravla. It comprises a small, random and attractive cluster
of typical rural dwellings and shops, and shaded squares where
the villagers discuss the affairs of the world or share the
local gossip.
For
the visitor, this is a side of India that has its own
fascination; the cheerful welcome and natural hospitality of
the village folk who ask nothing more than to enjoy a chat
over a cup of tea. Beyond the village is an expanse of lush
farmland stretching off towards distant mountains: not a
single spot on the landscape to spoil this serenely beautiful
landscape.
Hemant Deval Singh and his family play an important role in
the village. They do a lot of social work for their neighbours
and have been most noted for their help in road development,
drinking water supplies and the education of some of the local
children. As a result they are extremely well respected in the
village. The village is also a great example of untouched
rural India as it has been largely untouched by the commercial
aspect of tourism.Discovery of village Khempur; near a small
splendid yet serene overview of the destination.
Khempur village came upon us rapidly; a cluster of rural
dwellings making up a typical random village. An ancient
feudal mansion dominates the village, the front looks over
strikingly beautiful backgrounds that extends to a lake and
distant hills where even mute monoliths appear to have a life
of their own! This is the land not swamped by hordes of
tourists and retains virgin loveliness. |
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Ravla |
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The
title ‘Ravla’ in Rajasthan refers to the home of a village
chieftain”. In earlier days, the Ravla was the central point of
the whole village. Functions such as village welfare, collection
of taxes, administration of law and order, and the initiation of
festivals took place in the Ravla.
Ravla Khempur displays historical ambience and is graced with
wonderful surroundings. The lofty terraces, open courtyards,
domes, sprawling gardens, arches and canopied balconies
transport one back in time.
Khempur village developed over the centuries to one side of the
Ravla. It encompasses a small, random and attractive cluster of
typical rural dwellings and shops, and shaded squares where the
villagers discuss the affairs of the world or share the local
gossip.
For the visitor, this is a side of India that has its own
attraction; the cheerful welcome and natural hospitality of the
village folk who ask nothing more than to enjoy a chat over a
cup of tea.
Beyond the village is an area of lush farmland which extends
towards distant mountains: not a single blot on the landscape to
spoil this serenely beautiful view. |
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Main Attractions of Khempur |
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The
main attraction here is the Ravla Khempur Hotel on the edge of
the village. The Ravla Khempur is an attractive heritage hotel
which was recently famed for it's part in the amusing British
film, 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'. The hotel is owned by
Hemant Deval Singh and his pride and passion is breeding
stunning Marwari horses. Guests can head out on horseback to
explore the magnificent countryside on some of these beautiful
animals. Singh can also arrange horse riding lessons for
beginners and exciting excursions for the more experienced
riders.
Khempur and these horses also offer very unique entertainment of
dancing horses. They are trained to perform dances to
traditional local music, which is often heard and played at
birthdays, weddings and other special occasions.
Horses
Ravla Khempur is a haven for the horse lover. The stables house
high lineage Marwari and Kathiawari horses. The Ravla horses are
well trained and guests have the option of exploring Khempur’s
surroundings on horseback.
The Ravla offers wonderful camping facilities at the nearby
lakeside, where one can enjoy the sight of the early morning
activities of local and migratory birds.
Hemant Deval and his father of Ravla Khempur have been
completely featured in the book Marwari - Legend of The Indian
Horse “ .Hemant Deval and his father, the chieftain of Khempur,
live and work from their haveli, an immaculate country home set
in rolling farmland an hour or so from Udaipur. |
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History of Khempur |
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The Ravla Khempur has an adoring history of true Mewari
valour that dates back to 1628 AD. An enemy, in order to
punish the killing of his brother, plotted to assassinate
the young Prince Jagat Singh of Mewar. His plans were
over-heard by Khemraj Dadhivadia whilst he was having his
weapon sharpened in the market place. Khemraj didn’t utter
a word of what he had heard to anyone and left silently.
On the auspicious day when the young prince was out
hunting, they would-be assassin charged up towards him,
intent on murder. When the deadly blade of the enemy’s
sword was inches away from the prince, Khemraj leapt out
from nowhere, and with a single stroke of his sword,
beheaded the attacker.
To honour this courageous act, Mewar’s grateful Maharana
rewarded Khemraj Dadhivadia with a village and named it
Khempur. |
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Accomodation |
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The
Ravla Khempur Heritage Hotel boasts of 10 Suites and offers
modern amenities to the guests without compromising on the
heritage feel of the rooms. Every room has a canopied balcony so
that the guests can enjoy lovely views. Heritage Hotel today,
Ravla Khempur offers its facilities of well appointed en suite
rooms, courtyards, stables, gardens, cuisine, horses etc. for
the modern day tourists.These were once enjoyed completely by
the knights and nobles. |
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Food, sight-seeing and shopping |
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Khempur exudes historical ambience and graced with amazing
surroundings. Ravla has superior terraces, open courtyards,
extensive gardens, manicured lawns, domes, arches, canopied
balconies transport one back in time. Lakeside has diverse
collection of flora, migratory birds etc would delight nature
lovers. Ravla also believes that there should be an element of
culinary surprise. |
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How To Reach There |
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By
Rail
Khempur is about 28 kms from Udaipur, 217 kms from Palanpur and
280 kms from Kota Railway station.
By
Air
The nearest airport from Khempur is Udaipur airport at a
distance of 28 kms and Ahmedabad airport at a distance of
285kms. |
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