Khimsar: The Mighty Fort at the Edge of the Thar Desert
Khimsar, located at the edge of the brutal yet beautiful Thar desert in the north-western Indian state of Rajasthan, is perhaps most known for its historic fort. The Fort of Khimsar (also referred to as the Khimsar Fort), which is presently 450 years old, has been witness to many bloody battles in the region. This is clearly evident from the many battle scars found on the walls of the fort. The construction of the fort of Khimsar began in the year 1523 and was started by Rao Karamsi, a scion of the House of Jodhpur. However, it was not until the 18th century after a new zenana or ladies wing was constructed, that the royal dynasty controlling the fort, today known as the Thakurs of Khimsar, moved in.
The fort of Khimsar still creates controversy with regard to the status of its independence. While the House of Jodhpur claims that the royalty of Khimsar was never an independent House, the Thakurs of Khimsar proudly proclaim their independence by asserting that one of the visitor’s to the fort was the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. In the 1940s, Thakur Onkar Singh, the present chief and the 17th direct descendant of Rao Karamsi, added a new wing to the fort. At present, the Fort of Khimsar is home to the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th generations of the Thakurs of Khimsar. The Fort of Khimsar has also been converted to a 5-star luxury desert palace hotel.
Places to Visit in Khimsar
- Khimsar is strategically located and lies between the two very popular destinations of Jodhpur and Bikaner. It is an apt place for the traveller who prefers a bit more seclusion.
- Situated 27 kms from Khimsar is the small town of Osian that is most known for its sixteen ruined Jain and Hindu temples. Dating back to the eighth and eleventh centuries, the most important among these sixteen desert temples are the Sachhiyamata Temple and the Jain Temples.
- Another popular destination that is located near Khimsar is Nagaur which is around 43 kms away. Nagaur is most famous for its annual cattle fair which attracts scores of tourists. The cattle fair is attended by thousands of people who bring along their camels, bullocks, and horses for trade. Camel races and other such sporting events are also organized. The desert dunes (more correctly, sand dunes) of the Thar desert are also an excellent tourist attraction.
Khimsar, Rajasthan- Travel tips, languages spoken, cuisine
- Languages: Hindi and English are widely spoken, and as such communication should not be a problem.
- Cuisine: Due to the upmarket-ness of the place, cuisine catering to all tastes is available here. However, it is recommended that one stick to local food.
- Climate: If visiting during the summer, it is advisable that one wear white clothing, as temperatures can often touch 40°C.
Khimsar is found in the itinerary of the desert tours of many tour operators.
Best time to visit Khimsar
The climate in Khimsar is extreme with hot summers and cold winters. In summer, the temperatures range from 42.2°C and 27.3°C. The winters (October to March) are much cooler with temperatures ranging between 27.5°C and 9.5°C. Consequently, most tourists prefer to visit Khimsar during the winter months of October to March.
Khimsar- Getting there
- By Air: Jodhpur, located 92 kms away, is the nearest airport.
- By Rail: The nearest railhead, too, is Jodhpur.
- By Road: Khimsar is located 92 kms away from Jodhpur on the Jodhpur-Nagaur-Bikaner Highway. Thus, Khimsar is well-connected to all major tourist destinations in Rajasthan.
Accommodation
Khimsar is different from the other travel destinations of Rajasthan in the sense that most hotels here cater to the upmarket traveller. This unique Rajasthan desert destination is home to many desert resorts, desert hotels, desert castles and desert palaces.