Sprawling gardens, signature experiences, and farm-to-table meals are what describe The Ahilya Fort Heritage Hotel as the best. The heritage property takes you back in time and offers a uniquely Indian royal experience.
Sitting above the sacred river Narmada in the ancient town of Maheshwar is Ahilya Fort. Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar who ruled Maheshwar from 1765 to 1796 built her personal residence, office, and darbar hall within the fort, and called it Ahilya Wada. Cut to the present, Prince Richard Holkar, the descendant of Ahilyabai has converted his home in Ahilya Wada into a heritage property by the name The Ahilya Fort Heritage Hotel. Spread across six buildings with 19 rooms, the property is replete with all modern amenities and comforts.
Location
The Ahilya Fort Heritage Hotel is located by the sacred river Narmada in the ancient town of Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh.
The Ahilya Fort Heritage Hotel Images
Rooms at The Ahilya Fort Heritage Hotel
The property is home to 19 rooms spread across six buildings. These renovated rooms come with an old-world charm as well as modern amenities. There is Poshak Wada, which was originally used to store important artefacts of the Holkar State. Today, the shaded quadrangle serves as the central courtyard with a columned seating area, and connects the guest services desk, library, conference room, and six of the hotel’s Princely category guest rooms. Lingarchan courtyard is where 101 royal priests performed daily blessings for the entire population of the Holkar State. Today the peaceful space, shaded by an ancient tamarind tree, has two guest rooms with river facing alcoves, and houses the massage treatment room. The Darbaar Wada was the fort’s most important building during Maharani Ahliyabai’s time—on its first floor was her living quarters. Currently, the floor houses four guest rooms. And then there is Naqarra Bagh, where naqarra drums were beaten to open and close the fort gates. Situated on the outer perimeter of the Ahilya Wada, the area today houses three rooms.
Facilities
- Large swimming pool (60 feet x 30 feet; unheated)
- Bicycles
- Small conference hall
- Sitting room with games for relaxing
- Library
- Walled organic vegetable garden, farm animals, and play area for the children
- Free WiFi and use of computer
- Cars for pick up, drop and onward travel can be arranged on site by contacting the hotel’s front desk
- Local sightseeing excursions by car can be arranged
Property Rules
- Check in: 2:00 pm (or earlier if rooms are vacant); Check out: 12 noon
- The property accepts children of all ages. An extra bed option is available only in some rooms at an additional charge. The property also offers baby-sitting/child care service on advance notice.
- The property offers offers all-inclusive rates per room at double, triple or solo occupancy. The rates include: breakfast, lunch and dinner; sunset boat ride with tea (weather permitting), coffee, tea and refreshments, non-alcoholic beverages; pool facilities and games.
- The property does not have a restaurant or a commercial kitchen. Hence, there is no a-la-carte menu with a wide variety to choose from. Fixed menus are presently created by Prince Richard Holkar.
- There are fixed meal timings at the property: breakfast between 8am -10 am; lunch at 1:00 pm; tea between 04:30 pm to 6pm; refreshments at 7:30pm; and dinner around 8:30 pm.
- Maheshwar is a temple town, and out of respect for religious sensitivities and Government restrictions, alcohol is not served on the Narmada River, inside Ahilya Fort, or during the picnics arranged at the locations outside Ahilya Fort premises.
Review of The Ahilya Fort Heritage Hotel
I squint my eyes to see the blues clearly; the blues of a clear Maheshwar sky above and the glistening Narmada below. Standing atop The Ahilya Fort Heritage Hotel, I’m immediately transported to a completely different world; one where time stands still, life becomes meaningful and where the slow traveller in me rejoices at the prospects of the next three days. And I’m brought back with a glass of cool jasmine water, a refreshment I didn’t know I needed. Post a warm welcome and some quick photographs, I head to the poolside for an elaborate lunch.
After a restful afternoon, I’m all set for a boat ride on the Narmada River. A short walk from the property, there is much to explore in the lanes that lead up to the river. Generally, guests here can opt for a sunrise or a sunset boat ride—one of the property’s signature experiences—that takes you to Baneshwar Temple, considered to be the centre of the universe. The highlight of the boat ride you ask? The warm desi chai served in a kulhad with an assortment of biscuits to choose from.
My days at Ahilya Fort pass by easily. The mornings begin with a hearty breakfast with some staples and a special dish each day. Later, I stroll through the courtyards and gardens to watch the butterflies flutter by. There are also plenty of secluded nooks that allow one to cosy up with their favourite book. For those wanting more, the bustling village markets of Maheshwar and the riverside complex of temples and cenotaphs are only a short walk away.
Since I am here during the time of the Sacred River Festival 2023, there is much more for me to learn, do, unlearn and explore. The first half of my day here involves attending lecture demonstrations, followed by elaborate lunch and tea breaks. The evenings are all about full-fledged performances with the artists putting on a memorable show.
I’m told that guests who visit the property other than the three days of the festival also have plenty to do. The Ahilya Fort Heritage Hotel offers some of their signature experiences such as the sunset boat ride to Baneshwar Temple. On the return journey, you row amidst floating lamps, with the bhajan mandali (local musicians) singing devotional songs dedicated to the Narmada in the background. There is also the Moonlight Promenade on a Hand Poled Boat experience, that includes an hour under the stars on the Narmada. You are served non-alcoholic beverages and vegetarian snacks as you float along with flickering lamps under the night sky. There are local musicians to entertain you. In yet another experience, you can enjoy a candlelight dinner 200 metres downriver at the Boliya Chhatri.
The property also offers other amenities, including a large pool nestled within a walled garden. Guests can take a swim or simply lounge by the poolside in the shade of the lemon tree.
Food and Dining
The highlight at the property, however, is the dining experience. It is as though you’re eating in the home of Prince Richard Holkar. With neither a restaurant nor a varied menu, the experience is one-of-a-kind. Each day, Prince Holkar creates a menu with recipes from his internationally renowned cookbook, Cooking of the Maharajas, that use fresh produce from their organic house garden and farm. While breakfast is a selection of muesli, eggs, poha, and the day’s special served at Mandap, a sit-out area overlooking the Narmada, lunch is generally a light western fare prepared with produce gathered in the morning from the organic garden. Dinner is a traditional thaali with regional specialities and dishes prepared with a ‘Holkar twist’.
What to Visit Nearby
- Rehwa Society and the Ahilya School
- The Ahilya Organic Farm
- Village Walk
- Markets and cenotaphs around
- Mandu
- Omkareshwar
- Baji Rao Samadhi
- Ujjain
- Bhopal
- Sanchi
- Vidisha
- Bhojpur
- Burhanpur
- Ajanta and Ellora
How to Reach
Indore is connected to many Indian cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Pune, Goa, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Srinagar and others by air, followed by a two-hour drive to Ahilya Fort.
The nearest train stations include Barwah (39 kilometres), Khandwa (110 kilometres), Indore (91 kilometres) and Mhow (63 kilometres).
By Road, the property is a two-hour drive from Indore, six hours from Bhopal, nine hours from Aurangabad, four-and-a-half hours from Burhanpur, and 10 hours from Mumbai.
Activities to do
- Lingarchan Puja
- Narmada Parikrama Dhaan
- Royal Baz Bahadur Picnic
- Sunset Boating
- Blessings Ceremony
- Yoga
- Massages:
- The Ahilya Vitality Massage (60 minutes)
- The Narmada River Stone Flow Massage (60 minutes)
- Heavenly Hands and Feet Massage (45 minutes)
- Ancient Indian Head Massage (45 minutes)
- Traditional Nimadi Malish (60 minutes)
- Heavenly Hands and Feet combined with Ancient Indian Head Massage (60 minutes)
- Yoga
- Slowly down the Narmada
- Moonlight River Promenade
- Boleya Chhatri Dinner
- Roopmati’s Picnic
- Discover numerous Shiva temples
- Watch Maheshwar’s famous hand-crafted textiles being woven at Rehwa Society
- Learn about the history and heritage of the erstwhile Indore State at the Holkar Cultural Centre, and take a heritage walk.
- Visit the Ahilya School for weavers’ children
- Walk or bike around the charming village of Naoda Todi, just across the river. Next to Naoda Todi, you will discover Shaliwan temple, which denotes the geographical beginning of South India
- Visit the organic farm on the edge of town.
Free Cancellation
A deposit of 50 per cent of the full stay charge is compulsory for a confirmed, advanced reservation. The property shares the rules for booking, deposit, and refund upon request. Cancellation charges apply as per the cancellation policy.
Packages
A minimum of three-nights stay is recommended. The property offers special packages from time-to-time and they are featured on the website here.
Related: Poetree Sarovar Portico : A Nature Lover’s Paradise In Thekkady, Kerala
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Answer: Yes, subject to availability.
Answer: Yes.
Answer: No. A deposit of 50 per cent of the full stay charge is compulsory for a confirmed, advanced reservation.
Answer: No. All meals are specially curated by Prince Richard Holkar.
Answer: No.
Simrran Gill
Features Editor
An advocate of slow travel, Simrran Gill can mostly be found documenting her journeys, food, and people. Often fascinated by life in general, she is a true-blue Delhite and loves every opportunity to pack a suitcase and hop on the next flight out. She is a post-graduate in journalism and has previously worked with Outlook Traveller. When not travelling you will find her shooting portraits, making a new Spotify playlist, or organising things around her.
