Located at a distance of 35 kms to the south of the city of Jodhpur in Western Rajasthan, the settlement of Luni is essentially a charming and cloistered village which reflects the royal past of Rajasthan. The village of Luni nestles in the shadows of the majestic Fort Chanwa, which invites a number of tourists every year.
History:
In 1894, Kaviraj Muraridanji, a minister in the court of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, got a fiefdom (jagir) in the little known hamlet of Chanwa. He constructed the fort of Chanwa, which today, is an epitome of grace and uniformity in Indian architecture. Maharaja Dalip Singhji (the youngest son of H.H.Maharaja Umaid Singhji) and his wife Rani Madhu Devi were responsible for restoring the fort to its old charm and converting it into a heritage hotel.
Best For:
Nature walks, bird watching excursions, horse and camel safaris are the highlight of a trip to Luni.
The summer temperature range from a maximum of 38.5 C to a minimum of 28.8 C so light cotton clothing is recommended during this period.
The winter temperature records a maximum of 28.5 C and can drop down to a minimum of 9 C, requiring visitors to carry light woolen clothes.
The rainy season lasts from July to mid- September so the best time to travel is during the cooler months - October to March
There is an exchange desk at Fort Chanwa in Luni but it is safer to get foreign currency exchanged at the State Bank of India at Jodhpur or at any of the bigger cities in Rajasthan.
Getting Around – Domestic Flights The nearest domestic airport is at Jodhpur (5 kms from the city centre), which is connected to all the major cities of India.
international Flight:
The nearest international airport is at Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan.
Getting Around – Road Travel Buses and taxis ply from Jodhpur to Luni. The taxi stand is just outside the main railway station of Jodhpur. The tariff can be fixed per kilometer and the taxi drivers usually charge for their return journey.
Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) buses leave from the Roadways bus stand while private buses have offices opposite the main train station and in the street leading to the Ranchodji Temple in Jodhpur.
Getting Around – Train Travel Luni can be reached by traveling first up to Jodhpur, which is the nearest railway station. There is an International Tourist Bureau at the main train station at Jodhpur for any assistance that may be required by visitors.
Fort Chanwa is the main tourist attraction at Luni. The entire fort is carved out of the red sandstone, which is associated with Jodhpur. It is a sight to behold with its ornately carved lattice work friezes and intricate jharokhas serving as a reminder of the grandeur of a bygone era. The traditional paintings on the walls reflect the skill and unflinching dedication of the craftsmen. The fort has a web of accurately planned stairways, corridors, secret rooms, passages, towers and courtyards. The rooftops provide a fascinating view of the village below and the expansive Thar Desert beyond.
River Luni is also known as Lanavari River or ‘Salt River’ in Sanskrit. It originates in the Pushkar Valley of the Aravalli Range, near Ajmer and ends in the Rann of Kutchh.
At Luni, visitors can watch innumerable artisans pursuing their ancestral profession – carving metal, clay or wood into intricate forms.
Shopping:
Fort Chanwa has its own shopping arcade and evening bazaar where visitors can bargain for knick- knacks and Rajasthani handicrafts such as ‘dhurries’ or carpets, hand-carved wooden printing blocks, puppets, musical instruments and decorative articles to carry home as souvenirs.
Fort Chanwa offers authentically renovated rooms which replicate the style of the royal family.
Guests staying at Fort Chanwa have no reason to complain as the royal family takes pleasure in organizing gala lunches and dinners for up to 150 people with a traditional or ‘made to order’ menu. Continental, Chinese and Indian food is served to the accompaniment of local dance and music performances.
Puppet shows and traditional song and dance performances are conducted at the fort. Folk singers dressed in colourful ensembles entertain guests with ballads and folk tales set to melodious tunes.
The hustle bustle at Luni ends at dusk and everything is quiet in the fort and the village during the night. The huge gates and protective walls of the fort stand proud and strong under the canopy of stars as they welcome the peace that spreads out across the desert.
To the south of Luni is Rohet, where the former local rulers have converted their 350 year old manor into a heritage hotel.
Sadar Samand Palace and Lake is to the south east of Luni. The palace was built in 1933 as the Maharaja of Jodhpur’s summer palace and hunting lodge. It is one of the best places to spot blackbuck, Chinkara, flamingos, pelicans, ducks, cranes, egrets and kingfishers.
The Dhawa Doli Wildlife Sanctuary is about 40 kms southwest of Jodhpur. There is no accommodation here but is a good excursion for guests staying at Luni as half day tours can be arranged. The sanctuary is home to a variety of blackbuck, desert fox, blue bull and patridge.
Recommended Circuit:
Luni can be visited on the way to Pali or Rohet from Jodhpur. Many visitors to the Dhawa Doli Wildlife Sanctuary also take a detour to Luni.
The nearby sites include places of historical importance at Jodhpur, such as the Meherangarh fort, the Jasawant Thada, the Umaid Bhavan Palace and Museum as well as the clock tower.
Fort Luni has been restored to its pristine glory and charm. It enjoys a setting and ambience to capture anyone’s heart. It is the ideal place to unwind for a day and spend the afternoon leisurely reading or relaxing in the sun. It’s beautiful swimming pool is perfect to wash away the fatigue and rejuvenate oneself.
