In the hills at Ajabgarh

When the mountains echoed

With nary a Jharokha in sight, Ananta’s design language interprets Rajasthan’s heritage differently. Minimally. You spot it in the block print draping the ceiling in a banquet hall, perhaps even in the airy courtyards that bathe the Sariska Lounge with light. “We referenced it subtly through form, proportion and craft so that the spirit of the region remained intact, but refreshed,” explains Kush.

The short drive to our villas echoes the same sentiment, as the resort’s immediate surroundings prove to be the true muse. Each one features an earthy colour palette handpicked straight from the stony Aravallis, with roofs that point upwards, much like the mountains. As Kush affirms, “We wanted to build something grounded. It wasn’t meant to echo Rajasthan’s palace architecture or mimic pastiche luxury.” True to his words, the villas, restaurants and the two-storey spa mould themselves to the terrain through scale, colour and materials. 

Taking cues from nature

Our tour begins at the Lagoon Villas. Crafted on stilts, they sit atop a manmade lake that glitters in the sunlight. A section of the wooden floor indoors is replaced by glass, reflecting ripples of light hitting the water through the interiors in the day. A crowd favourite? The balconies feature an extended hammock-like section that makes you feel like you, rather like the villa, are floating on water.

The Fire Villas lie a stone’s throw away from our first stop. They cut an imposing figure, with sharp edges, large scale and a penchant for reddish-toned wood. While the elements that govern the other villas are overtly displayed, our tour guide joked that doing the same for the Fire Villas posed safety concerns (much to the dismay of some). Nevertheless, two light scones shaped like an open flame sit on either side of the entrance door, flickering alive after the sun goes down. A direct antithesis to this is the Earth villa, small and rounded in contrast. The Bhonga-like structure features a thatched roof and lime-plastered curves, embodying the element’s groundedness. Each Earth villa comes with a small, rounded private pool that rests within its walls, open to the sky.

At last, the Bamboo villas lie a few steps away, which our guide tells us (much to my delight) includes a cosy mezzanine indoors with yet another plush bed up a ladder. As an adult who spends her days dreaming of bunk beds, I’m beyond pleased. The pitched roof is equally charming indoors, upheld by exposed wooden rafters. It extends into a porch both at the front and the back, the roof’s inverse padded with bamboo.

Built for the culture

At this point, the sun is setting and we’ve all abandoned our golf cart, choosing to walk back to our villas. We stick to the small walkways snaking through the property, teeming with plants native to the region. The space’s penchant for neutrals does not go unnoticed. A sprig of bougainvillaea snakes up a wall, the only pop of colour we’ve spotted so far. This choice, Kush tells, was intentional. “We wanted the space to feel as if it emerged from the land, not imposed upon it. This meant embracing imperfection, asymmetry and stillness,” he elucidates. Cast in soothing neutrals, the interiors follow the same brief.

The state’s rich culture remains the heart and soul of the space’s experiences. A folk singer with a Ravanhatta serenades you in the lobby. Executive Chef Naveen Mathur’s take on the regional cuisine outdoes the dal bati I’ve had at my home in Udaipur (Sorry, nana nani!) An early morning safari at Sariska Tiger Reserve, a slow walk through the city — all the curated experiences introduce you to Ajabgarh’s sleepy-eyed charm, shedding light on Rajasthan beyond its royals.

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