Indrashan, situated in the New City, is named after the great grandfather of the house's current owner, and is the archetypal hospitable Indian home. The house is lived in by Chandra Shekher, his wife Bhawana, his mother, and his son. This is very much a lived in home rather than merely lodging, to the extent that if there is a wedding, temple festival or family function the guests are also invited. Having run the homestay for over 16 years, the couple greatly enjoys looking after their guests and Chandra Shekher's mother also enjoys chatting as she also speaks excellent English. The history of their family stretches back around 7 generations to the actual foundation of the city; they are even related to the Maharaja of Jodhpur and a photo shows of when he came for dinner! The house is dotted with traces of the family's past, from photographs and paintings of military Rajput ancestors, to antiques and artwork handed down over the generations
The house is large and built around a central courtyard furnished with cushions, and typical Indian trinkets and plants adorn the stone walls. This is a lovely place to enjoy breakfast and to read. The rooms are clean, with traditional furniture and all modern comforts, some lead out into the courtyard or the roof terrace. Their kitchen is chock-full of different foods and spices and Bhawana can teach guests all sorts of dishes. They also have a puja room and are very interesting on the subject of Hindu culture
The stories of Jodhpur's history have been passed down through the generations of this family and they can give a fascinating insiders' knowledge into the town, whether it be for sightseeing, local customs or hidden walks around the old city.
|
