Ranthambore Festival

After a spectacular run with more than 3000 attendees in January 2017, Ranthambore Festival returned to the magnificent Nahargarh Palace for a second edition this month and our team was invited as guests to attend the Festival. The music and wildlife conservation festival enthralled the attendees from January 19th to 21st but Rajasthan Tourism Beat decided to attend the first day of the festival as the following days had different reservations for us. We reached the Nahargarh Palace around 14.00 hrs when the beautiful open garden Bageechi was showcasing the film : Looking for Sultan by Gautam Pandey. Thus began our journey of the Ranthambore Festival at Nahargarh palace.

If you think that its first edition showcased the richness of Rajasthani folk music and wildlife landscape, mind you the second edition marvelously returned with even newer sounds, fresh ideas and terrific activities. Picture an open theatre in the midst of an imposing palace, complete with manicured plants and shady trees. ‘Bageechi’ also played host to an informative Wine Tasting session by Grover Zampa.

Now imagine, as the sun begins to set you are sitting surrounding a marble white step well swimming pool – “Book a Smile Hathikund” and listening to Bangladeshi musician Labik Kamal, international world music ensemble Trio Benares from Germany, and the live performance by actor and musician Farhan Akhtar and his band.The well-curated line-up of musical performances on all three days also included a soulful rendition by Ustad Ma Zila Khan.

Numerous patrons of music, whatever is the genre of their preference appeared at Nahargarh Palace to sample the collective, ecstatic experience of a musical art form.

The festival successfully showcased some of the best in Rajasthani folk music by providing a platform to little-known yet immensely talented folk artists and prominent wildlife conservationists, alike. A 12-person nagara ensemble led by Nathulal Ji Solanki (Ajmer), Kanha Ram (Gujarat) on ektara and khartaal, Mohan (Bhuj) on gadha gambhira, Ram Swaroop (Alwar) on bakri ki masak enlivened the First Stone Amphitheatre of Nahargarh Palace.

The artists’ performances and the music made us stir from within while the amazing Drum Circle by Omkar Salunkhe was an experience unforgettable. However, what can easily be called the highpoint of the festival was a dazzling performance by 35-handpicked (by Abhimanyu Alsisar, himself) Rajasthani folk musicians.

In addition to showcasing the rich musical traditions, Ranthambore Festival also hosted intriguing all day workshops like pottery making workshop by Dastkar, Block printing & Toy making workshop by Dhonk, lac bangle making by Shadab khan, Khartaal master classes by Imammuddin Khan and Bhapang master class by Yusuf and Mehmood Khan.

Given the immensely encouraging response received last year, the Souk experience at the Ranthambore Festival was even more elaborate and magical this time. It presented an eclectic blend of the most sought after brands in the country.

This time around, Ranthambore Festival also extended a series of thrilling experiential activities like a heritage bicycle tour, naked-eye stargazing with local tribal interpretations, secret royal suppers and hot air balloon rides for the guests.

The Den lastly came to life at night when the music lovers broke into a party mood, they drank, talked, laughed and danced till they dropped.

The next day, out team had bid adieu to Ranthambore Festival and chose to hit the jungle for Ranthambhore Tiger Safari. We booked a private gypsy safari to avoid crowds and have a more intimate experience with the national park. Unfortunately, we did not see tigers on safari in Ranthambhore, but the entire feel of jungle and the experience was still amazing.

Ever wondered what life would be like in some other state than the one you’re currently living in? What if we told you that a grand festival is waiting in an old palace somewhere in the deserts of Rajasthan for you to truly witness what living in Rajasthan feels like?

It’s not just a bunch of turbans or camels we’re talking about. It’s about everything that makes Rajasthan the colourful and celebrated desert it is.

Ranthambhore Festival in the Nahargarh Palace of Ranthambhore has for you a three day carnival to get into the spirit of Rajasthan and admire the beauty of the state while closely experiencing the quintessence it is made of.

Imagine yourself in  a palace, attending music concerts and watching documentaries, eating lavishly some regal supper, learning new art, talking to people from different countries,  sitting under the stars and venturing into the forest nearby. Can’t get any better, right? Indulge in the collaboration of art, music, dance, food, cinematography, adventure and intellectual activities and shopping at the Ranthambhore Festival on the 19th, 20th and 21st of January.

The festival has activities enough for you to remain in awe of the exquisiteness of the humble state. A festival for you to experience, learn and take back with you the art of the state with activities like drum circle, folk instrument classes and performances, meditation and yoga, hot air ballooning, open mic, culinary venture, musical performances from around the globe, documentary screening, music and nature conservation, bicycle tour of Ranthambore’s environs,  souk, mid-night star gazing session, traditional block printing workshop,  pottery workshop and the most esteemed  Royal Secret Supper.

If this doesn’t make you pack your bags right away, we don’t know what will.

Date-19, 20 and 21 January

Venue– Nahargarh Palace, Ranthambhore, Rajasthan.

Getting there- By Air

The closest airport is Jaipur, which is 160 kms from Nahargarh Palace, Ranthambore. Jaipur is well connected to all metros with daily flights operated by Indigo, Go Air, Jet Airways, and Indian Airlines. Once you land, you can take a prepaid airport taxi or a private taxi to Ranthambore. This will cost you approximately Rs 2500.

By Train (Recommended)

Sawai Madhopur station is only three kilometers (ten minutes drive) from Ranthambore and is well connected to almost every city in India by superfast trains, being the most important railway junction in Rajasthan.

By Road

Ranthambore is well connected with all major highways and if you’re planning a road trip, here’s what you need to know. Jaipur to Ranthambore 180 Km (Approx. 3h via Rajasthan State Hwy 24) Delhi to Ranthambore- 381 Km(Approx. 6 Hours via NH8 and NH 11A) Mumbai to Ranthambore – 1031 Km (Approx. 16 h 51 min via NH 3) Udaipur to Ranthambore- 388 Km (Approx. 6h 10 min via NH 76 and RJ SH 29) Agra to Ranthambore- 239 Km (Approx. 4h 23 min via via RJ SH 1) Ahmedabad to Ranthambore – 640 Km (Approx. 9h 47 min via NH8 and NH 76)