Chokhi Dhani in Jaipur, India, is a unique, opulent village-style resort. It is located about 20 km from the city center and depicts quaint Rajasthani rural life in a modern setting. If you are putting together your trip to India, or specifically, Rajasthan, chances are you have heard of this resort. But, is Chokhi Dhani worth visiting? I will offer my perspective on whether to visit Chokhi Dhani or give it a miss.
Are you planning your travel to Rajasthan? Check out my 2-day itinerary for Jaipur, home to architectural gems like Hawa Mahal and Amer Fort here.
In the western Indian state of Rajasthan, lies one of the most unique resorts that has pledged to preserve the rural way of life in a luxury setting: Chokhi Dhani. What this means for visitors is that you get to experience the best of rustic Rajasthan; from its mud-covered huts decorated with traditional motifs to earthen lanterns lighting the tiny alleys, to experiencing its captivating music, dance, and food.
How to visit Chokhi Dhani: Ways to experience
1. Village fair and dinner
The Chokhi Dhani village fair is what makes it famous. Every evening from 4 pm, the village fair starts and pulls in a massive crowd. Here, you can experience a myriad of activities such as music, games, animal rides, etc. You will need to pay an entrance fee (see details below) based on the dinner option you pick. Some of the activities are free such as watching dance performances, whereas, you have to pay a small fee for animal or bullock cart rides.
Many Jaipur tour operators offer a visit to Chokhi Dhani as an attraction.
2. Stay at the resort
Chokhi Dhani has dozens of rooms based on your budget and requirements. These rooms or cottages are all designed with traditional elements and include frescoes, wall paintings, Rajasthani textiles, and furniture pieces. It truly feels like stepping back in time!
If you stay at the resort, you will also get access to a different part of the Chokhi Dhani property. You can walk around alleys designed with mandalas and props like this cool bullock cart below.
In addition, there is a beautifully designed swimming pool, spa, gym, and recreation center for resort guests. You will not be able to access these areas if you just visit the evening village fair though.
There are several Chokhi Dhani resorts and restaurants in other parts of India as well as Dubai and London!
The cost breakdown: Is Chokhi Dhani worth visiting?
1. Village fair and dinner
For someone visiting Chokhi Dhani for just an evening, the rates are below.
Food | Adult | Children | Entrance |
Rajasthani Dinner | INR 800 | INR 500 | 4 pm onwards |
Multi-cuisine buffet | INR 1200 | INR 700 | 4 pm onwards |
Thus, you can expect to pay between INR 800 to 1200 for an adult.
2. Hotel stay cost
The Chokhi Dhani hotel offers a huge range of hotel rooms, depending on your budget and the amenities you prefer. The types of accommodation range from Cottages, Executive Cottages, Royal Cottages, Royal Suites, Haveli Suites, Dhola Maru Suites, Family Royal Suites to Presidential Suites.
The prices for cottages range from INR 6000 to 12000 per night, depending on the season and day of the week. And the price can go higher than INR 40000 as the amenities increase!
Thus, you can expect to pay over INR 6000 for a one-night stay (most likely more).
Are you looking for a unique India itinerary? Here are 7 reasons why you should venture beyond India’s tried and tested Golden Triangle itinerary.
Things to do at Chokhi Dhani
Chokhi Dhani has tons of activities, experiences, and spots to explore. It will keep you busy for several hours!
Check out the Village Fair
If you stay at the resort, you absolutely must visit the village fair. It is where you can see how well Chokhi Dhani attempts to preserve and spread the Rajasthani culture and heritage with its visitors.
Haldighati battle reenactment
The battle of Haldighati is recreated in Chokhi Dhani to celebrate the victory of 20000 Rajput soldiers against an 80000-strong Mughal army in 1576.
Music and Dance
Rajasthani folk music and dance are popular all over India. And in Chokhi Dhani, you can see live performances of folk music and dances such as Ghoomer, Potter Dance, Kalbeliya – the Snake Dance, Bhopa-Bhopi Dance, and Terah Taali Manjira.
These dance artists like to invite the audience to the dance floor. So, keep your dancing shoes ready!
Puppet shows
The puppet shows in Chokhi Dhani draw a large crowd. They tell stories of kings and princesses and magicians and reenact their lives. The colorful, traditional miniature outfits on the puppets also add to an interesting experience.
Magic Show
Chokhi Dhani also has a magic show where you can see hand tricks and hypnotism. Fascinating stuff right? 😉
Animal and bullock cart ride
There are many animal rides offered in Chokhi Dhani. These include horse, camel, and elephant rides. If you are not a fan of animal rides, opt for a very traditional bullock cart ride instead!
If you’re itching for a camel ride, try one here. It will last all of 3 minutes, which is more than enough time you should spend atop a camel in my humble opinion!
Boat ride
There is a small lake in the Village fair that has a boat that you can ride. The lake has a waterfall you can take the boat to, and it appeared to be a nice romantic experience.
Get a Rajasthani head massage
This one is not for the faint of heart. The Rajasthani head massage is a combination of getting slaps and massages on your head, shoulders, and upper arms.
National Museum
A unique area of Chokhi Dhani is the National Museum. It depicts the culture and tradition of a few states of India. There are huts depicting the lifestyle, furniture, and art of the people of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Kerala, West Bengal, Sikkim, and Jammu & Kashmir, in addition to Rajasthan. You can get a feel of the sheer diversity in India from this spot!
Handloom exhibition/Weaving
Chokhi Dhani exhibits Rajasthani handloom and textiles, with local artisans weaving garments in front of you (and you can try your hand!). Take a souvenir home from their stalls.
Shopping
There are numerous stalls that sell goods from local artists and artisans. Popular are Rajput shoes, handbags, and hand-woven scarfs.
There are other vendors at the village fair such as a Palm Reader and a Fortune teller but they veer on the side of gimmicky. So, I would not recommend them.
Food Options at Chokhi Dhani
After you’ve worked up an appetite, make a beeline to the exquisite food options you’ll have. There are multiple restaurants serving vegetarian thalis as well as a buffet-style restaurant with non-vegetarian options. Either way, you’ll be tucking away delectable Rajasthani food.
Now, for a village fair visit, you will have two options.
Rajasthani Thali
This is a vegetarian thali (plate) where traditional Rajasthani flavors reign high. You can taste dishes such as Gatta Curry, Aloo dum, roti, naan, different types of rice, and sweet dishes. One of the unique things about a thali is the way it is served. You will find quite a few bowls lined around the perimeter of your plate!
Pro tip: Try the Rajasthani delicacies of dal baati, churma, and missi roti, preferably served on a thali.
Multi-Cuisine Buffet at Resort
The Chaupal restaurant has delightful alfresco dining set up that offers a multi-cuisine Rajasthani, Indian and continental delicacies. You can dine under the starry skies with live food counters and ghazal performances. There are non-vegetarian dishes offered here, of which I would recommend the delectable laal maas (mutton curry).
Note: There are many other restaurants in Chokhi Dhani offering a la carte options. But, since we are talking about staying for a limited time, I would recommend going for a buffet in one of these two places
Pros and cons of staying at Chokhi Dhani
Now that we have squared away all that you can do in Chokhi Dhani, let’s delve into the pros and cons analysis.
Pros
- You can immerse in the Rajasthani culture, music, and dance, in one place.
- Experience the Rajasthani hospitality at its finest.
- If you are traveling with children, you need to go to Chokhi Dhani. Multitudes of activities await to keep you and the little ones entertained for hours.
- You want to experience something different, and go beyond the usual sight-seeing spots.
- You want a glimpse into the culture and history of rural Rajasthan in a small, re-enacted setting.
Cons
- The location of Chokhi Dhani is a bit far from Jaipur. You have to take a cab as public transit is not great.
- The price of Chokhi Dhani is relatively expensive for India.
- You may come away with an inauthentic feeling – after all, it is a reenactment and you won’t be visiting an actual village!
How to reach Chokhi Dhani from Jaipur
The best way to visit Chokhi Dhani from Jaipur is to take a cab. If you are staying at a hotel in Jaipur, you can ask your front desk concierge to book one for you. Uber works well too.
On your way back, ask the front desk at Chokhi Dhani to book a cab for you.
Going to Chokhi Dhani from Jaipur Airport? Read this post to learn about 4 different ways to get there.
Best time to visit Chokhi Dhani
The best time to visit Chokhi Dhani is the winter months from November to February. But, expect the prices to be high. The winter months afford pleasant weather in the daytime and comfortable, cool nights. If you are on a budget, I will recommend the shoulder seasons (March-April, October). The daytime temperatures are higher but the evenings cool down to a comfortable temperature.
Since Rajasthan has a desert landscape, traveling in the hot summer months is not recommended.
How long to stay at Chokhi Dhani
A maximum of one night stay at Chokhi Dhani is recommended. You can use the evening to visit the village fair. The next morning, get breakfast and wander through the cottage-lined lanes adorned with artwork and frescoes. Afterward, head over to the city of Jaipur from where you can easily navigate the attractions of Jaipur.
The Final Verdict: Is Chokhi Dhani worth visiting?
So, finally – is Chokhi Dhani worth visiting? Depends on how you want to visit.
If the question is whether to visit Chokhi Dhani for an evening in the village fair and grab dinner, the answer is a solid yes!
However, if the question is whether to stay over at Chokhi Dhani for a night, the answer is a solid “maybe”. Depending on the amount of time you have and your budget, you may or may not want to add Chokhi Dhani to your itinerary.
Is Chokhi Dhani worth visiting for you?
You may want to stay overnight at Chokhi Dhani if you:
- Are looking for an unusual stay.
- Enjoy photography – Chokhi Dhani will give you plenty of material to work with.
- Have enough time on your hands to do things ”outside the city”.
- Are traveling with kids and looking for kid-friendly activities.
On the other hand, you may not want to visit Chokhi Dhani if you:
- Are a budget traveler.
- Are not interested in exploring a rural setting of Rajasthan showcasing its heritage and culture.
- Have limited time in Jaipur (less than 2 days).
Final Thoughts: Was Chokhi Dhani worth visiting for us?
We ended up opting for a one-night stay at Chokhi Dhani in the month of December. We booked a royal cottage which was definitely expensive. However, once you are there, the ambiance and charm of the place win you over! We were impressed by how intricately the resort is designed keeping in mind Rajasthani aesthetics and the pastoral life. The resort is stunningly picturesque too! Every few feet you will catch yourself taking a photo. And the village fair will keep you busy in the evening.
All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at Chokhi Dhani and would consider visiting again the next time we are in Jaipur.
So, what is your take? Based on the above, would you visit Chokhi Dhani? Drop a comment below!
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