AS OLD AS TIME
Travel+Leisure India|March 2022
In a 200-year-old haveli in Jaipur, NEETOLE MITRA rediscovers the splendour of the bygone Rajputana era.
NEETOLE MITRA
AS OLD AS TIME

IT WAS NOVEMBER 2020. The first wave of COVID-19 was on the ebb, which brought hope and respite for travel-starved souls like me. So, I moved swiftly, dusted my backpack, and set out to bask in the warmth of my favourite winter destination—Jaipur. I have a soft spot for India’s wild west.

Incredible stories lurk in its alleys. Colourful safas (turbans), dusty mochdis, vibrant odhnis, and the chunky jewellery of its locals complement the golden hues of the landscape, and the heart-wrenching notes of kamaicha and ravanhatta (stringed instruments) tell the tales of Rajputana glory.

I meet Vipul Bansal, director of Virasat Experiences, over a cup of coffee at one of the plush cafes in C Scheme. He has been helping visitors explore Jaipur for more than 25 years and is always ready to share fascinating anecdotes about the city he has spent all his life in. He begins narrating the tale of a 270-year-old haveli in Jaipur’s Johri Bazaar. “Back when it was built along with the rest of the city, that part of Johri Bazaar was known as Chowkri Vishweshwar Ji and was surrounded by lush gardens. As the city expanded, merchants and artisans from around the country poured in to claim their share in its prosperity. Soon, new havelis replaced the gardens,” Bansal explains.

This story is from the March 2022 edition of Travel+Leisure India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March 2022 edition of Travel+Leisure India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM TRAVEL+LEISURE INDIAView All
Retro: Timeless & Trending
Travel+Leisure India

Retro: Timeless & Trending

As AI dominates the tech world, Nikhil Chawla introduces devices and apps that evoke nostalgia with their retro charm and timeless appeal.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
Celebrating Timeless Austin
Travel+Leisure India

Celebrating Timeless Austin

Austin is a melting pot of culture and style, and a personification of the great American lifestyle,

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
A Legacy of Art and Activism
Travel+Leisure India

A Legacy of Art and Activism

Mallika Sarabhai reflects on her rich heritage as she discusses her unique approach to blending tradition with modernity, the power of arts in activism and her commitment to bringing about social change, in this conversation with Dipali Patwa.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
Second Course
Travel+Leisure India

Second Course

Noma chef René Redezpi found fame with ingredient-focused fine dining. His new TV show goes even further.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
The Safari Sanctuary
Travel+Leisure India

The Safari Sanctuary

Aamaghati Wildlife Resort, Ranthambore’s latest opening, offers the finest facilities and accommodation in the district and has the park embedded deep inside its soul.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024
THE ETERNAL FLAVOURS of our TIMELESS CLASSICS
Travel+Leisure India

THE ETERNAL FLAVOURS of our TIMELESS CLASSICS

India's most-loved restaurants have all stood the test of time, especially in an era when food ventures open with vast market research and modern aesthetics but fail to make a lasting impression. This is what makes our favourites timeless.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024
LATE CHECK OUT WITH Ayushmann Churrana
Travel+Leisure India

LATE CHECK OUT WITH Ayushmann Churrana

A film with a social message, a deeply inspiring couplet, a music tour that lets him explore his alter ego of sorts—what makes Ayushmann Khurrana the right fit in everything he chooses to do?

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
Luxury Legacy
Travel+Leisure India

Luxury Legacy

Meet Tikka Shatrujit Singh, the visionary who paved the way for luxury brands to thrive in India. One of the most iconic figures in India's fashion and luxury industry, the former head representative of LVMH in Asia tells Samreen Tungekar about his journey, what today's consumer wants, and how Indian tourism can turn the world on its head.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
Global Glamour
Travel+Leisure India

Global Glamour

Attention shopaholics, we've got you covered! From Copenhagen to Cape Town, Marrakech to Melbourne, here are 20 cities across the world where you can indulge in retail therapy. Follow our guide to get your hands on traditional, bespoke, sustainable, slow fashion, and innovative, kitschy must-haves.

time-read
10 mins  |
October 2024
ARTISTIC INGENUITY MEETS ARCHITECTURAL SPLENDOUR
Travel+Leisure India

ARTISTIC INGENUITY MEETS ARCHITECTURAL SPLENDOUR

Architect Simran Boparai's skilled designs blend modernity with heritage, while striving for spatial excellence.

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024