The Hindu Business Line : A feel of Rajasthan in Pune

The city-based promoter Mr Atul Goel of the Goel Ganga group, has brought to the city and for the first time in Maharashtra, `Chokhi Dhani', the ethnic Rajasthani village resort with a blend of rustic environment and modern amenities.

`Chokhi Dhani' village has always been synonymous with Rajasthani culture, throughout the country. Hence, the ambience of the Chokhi Dhani (which means, Fine Hamlet) Resort at Pune is that of a typical Rajasthani village replete with its rich tradition, with mud & thatch dwellings, with cottages, havelis, restaurants, Rajasthani folk dances and performers.

The flagship Chokhi Dhani resort is already present in Jaipur, and in Indore. Authentic dance and music performances, brought live by folk performers, brought specially from Rajasthan, is one of attraction at the Chokhi Dhani resort.

And through the evening, there would be puppet shows, bioscope, camel rides, elephant rides, horse rides and bullock-cart rides. The traditional entertainment will come in the form of kacchi ghodi, ghumar, kalbelia, bhopa bhopi, nat (acrobatics). A jadugar will enthral the young ones with his art, while a jyotish will predict the future with the help of his parrot.

About 130 artisans, cooks and performers have been permanently brought down to Pune from Rajasthan, to provide the warmth and hospitality in line with the Rajasthani tradition of Padharo Mhare Des, transporting one to the era of Thakurs, the village lords.

Sangri, the village dining hall will dish-out mouth-watering, authentic Rajasthani cuisine, served on a leaf platter, in the tradition of manuhar with a variety of 22 items in each thali. There will be a welcome drink counter, serving chhaas or jal jeera. Another counter would offer pakodi/chai, pani puri, chana garam, etc, while the sweet counter will serve kulfis.

Located at about 15 minutes drive from Bund Garden, on the Pune-Ahmednagar Road, Chokhi Dhani, is spread over 13 acres of land.. "We have taken the locational franchise for Chokhi Dhani in Maharashtra, and the plan is to have a multi- city roll-out. The other cities in Maharashtra are yet to be decided but we'll soon have an announcement for the same," says Mr Amit Kumar, Director, Chokhi Dhani, Pune.

Chokhi Dhani was conceived and developed by Mr Gulraj Vaswani, Chairman, an NRI, and Mr Subhash Vaswani, MD, Chokhi Dhani Resorts Pvt. Ltd. Their R&D and vision today has grown into Chokhi Dhani Pune model, promoted by Goel Ganga Group.

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