One is writing this from one’s farm facing room at Barabagh Luxury Homestay at Deogarh in Rajasthan. Deogarh is located on the mountain ridge which separates the east and west hills of the Aravalli ranges. Barabagh Luxury Homestay is located 3 km. away from the cave temple. It is also 3 km. away from Mansarovar Lake. The lake plays host to a large variety of migratory birds during winter.

Deogarh is surrounded on all sides by small hills and is located 638 metres above sea level. There is a nip in the air even in October especially in the wee hours of the morning and after sunset. Some of the wildlife found at Barabagh, Deogarh includes foxes, jackals, blue bulls, peacocks and leopards. The three kilometre drive from Barabagh Luxury Homestay to Mansarovar Lake before sunset is an extremely relaxing experience. One starts driving from Barabagh Luxury Homestay to the cave temple at Deogarh, located 3 km. away. Enroute to the cave temple, one comes across various rock formations, which are easy to climb, even for first time rock climbers.

Deogarh is surrounded on all sides by small hills and is located 638 metres above sea level. There is a nip in the air even in October especially in the wee hours of the morning and after sunset. Some of the wildlife found at Barabagh, Deogarh includes foxes, jackals, blue bulls, peacocks and leopards. The three kilometre drive from Barabagh Luxury Homestay to Mansarovar Lake before sunset is an extremely relaxing experience.

I was accompanied for the fifteen minute drive to Deogarh cave temple, aptly named “Lake Hopping” by Prithviraj Singhji, who owns and manages Barabagh Luxury Homestay, alongwith his wife Aditi. Prithviraj knew the route so well he could drive there blindfolded if he so wished!. Our first stop was at a small hillock which we could climb in about five minutes. Meditating on the peak of this rocky hillock was indeed a divine experience.

After a thirty minute stop at the cave temple. We drive our way up the mud road. After twenty minutes of non-stop driving, one comes across several peacocks near the trees. One can rest under the canopy of the giant Banyan tree, on the way to Mansarovar Lake. There are several lakes at Deogarh and migratory birds from Tibet and Siberia can be seen in all these lakes every winter from December to February.

One of the most exciting part of our drive to Deogarh’s lakes was to meet the local villagers and children who were extremely friendly and welcomed us into their homes. They were highly hospitable and surprisingly camera friendly and photogenic as seen in the accompanying photograph.

I must mention that the drive through Deogarh was a bit tiring but a hot shower at Barabagh Luxury Homestay, rejuvenated my energy. The showers at Barabagh Homestay are benchmarked against international standards and it was a wonderful experience to de-stress after a long drive under the hot needle jet shower.

One sees a unique branch of the tamarind tree outside Baragarh Luxury Homestay which is naturally shaped like Lord Ganesh. It was found by my host Prithviraj, when he returned to his ancestral land after working several years in Africa! Prithviraj thought finding a natural Lord Ganesh shaped branch from his ancestral tamarind tree was a divine signal! He left his high paying job in Africa and relocated to Deogarh to set up his own homestay with three luxury suites, done up in impeccable style. I was the first official guest at Barabagh Luxury Homestay and getting the blessings of this self-manifested Lord Ganesh was indeed a blessing for me. Prithviraj can be assured that all obstacles in his path will be overcome by the remover of obstacles (Lord Ganesh) guarding his elegant homestay!

One is fortunate to sight a solitary peacock scampering across the road near Ragho Sagar Lake! A ten minute drive from Barabagh Luxury Homestay at a crawling speed will take one to a picturesque cobalt blue lake named Ragho Sagar Lake.

My stay at Barabagh gave me a deeper insight into the culture, traditions, food habits and hospitality of Deogarh residents. The locals are humble and take extra care of their guests and I am going to be their guest during my next visit to Shrinathji by avoiding the overpriced five star hotels at Udaipur, where one cannot get that personal touch. Prithviraj and Aditi deserve my compliments for a wonderful homestay experience, coupled with home-cooked vegan cuisine (on request) and for facilitating my visit to the cave temple at Deogarh for some breathtaking photographs

One is fortunate to sight a solitary peacock scampering across the road near Ragho Sagar Lake! A ten minute drive from Barabagh Luxury Homestay at a crawling speed will take one to a picturesque cobalt blue lake named Ragho Sagar Lake.

How to get there:

The nearest international airport to reach Deogarh is at New Delhi and the nearest domestic airport to get to Deogarh is at Udaipur. There are several options for Indian tourists to get to Deogarh from New Delhi.

By flight:

The easiest way to get to Udaipur is by flight. Udaipur is connected to Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi by direct flights. The other way to get from New Delhi to Deogarh is by bus. This 540 km. trip takes twelve hours. One can also drive from Delhi to Deogarh in 10 hours by car. The 540 km. non-stop drive from Delhi to Deogarh should not exceed 10 hours at the maximum. Deogarh is located 133 km. away from Udaipur and takes two hours by car. Jaipur is located 280 km. away from Barabagh and can be covered in four hours. Deogarh lies exactly mid- way on the drive from Udaipur to Ajmer.

Where to stay?:

Barabagh Luxury Homestay is the resort of choice for Indian and foreign families to stay from Barabagh, Deogarh. They are extreme value for money for a luxurious homestay. A standard double room for a inclusive of breakfast and exclusive of taxes costs Rs. 7000 per night (for two persons inclusive of breakfast). The tariff is uniform for Indian and foreign passport holders. Barabagh has only 3 luxury  suites,  so  advance  booking  is  mandatory.  SMS/Whatsapp  or  call +917073836868/+918003808402 for bookings.

Where to eat?:

Breakfast at Barabagh consists of delicious Rajasthani mooli parathas served with coriander chutney. Lunch is basmati rice with dal, bhindi ki sabzi and bharwan karela. Freshly steamed potatoes in mildly spiced gravy, served with rotis, is Barabagh’s signature dish which melts in the mouth. The food at other high profile restaurants is only for the gastronomically adventurous who like greasy food floating in oil. Vegans can find fresh fruits including mangoes, tender- coconuts, bananas and musk-melons at the local market from Barabagh, Deogarh. Barabagh offers water-melon juice, soya milk and grapes for vegans. The kitchen at Barabagh is one more reason to visit this luxury homestay. All meals are served ala carte and if one has a favourite vegetable, the chefs at Barabagh will gladly serve it on request.

Prithviraj Singh is now restoring his ancestral “Zenana Shikharbadi” which will become an added heritage attraction for visitors to Deogarh! Barabagh Luxury Homestay has an outdoor straw hut which can be used to meditate or to curl up with a book or just relax in the night when the temperature dips a little. Adjacent to the hut is a giant slab of stone which can be used for practicing yoga!

The Vaishnav pilgrimage centre of Srinathji is located only 70 km. away from Deogarh and is an ideal day trip for devotees who prefer to drive down to the temple. The non-stop drive from Deogarh to Srinathji temple at Nathdwara should not exceed 90 minutes. Barabagh is a boutique homestay which has a highly calm and serene ambience and is an ideal place for those who want to unwind and relax to the tune of nature. One can eat one’s breakfast outdoors under the shade of trees, if one chooses to do so.

One can eat in the cool confines of one’s room or on the terrace of Barabagh Luxury Homestay as one chooses. Meals can also be served at the straw hut outdoors. All three luxury suites at Barabagh are individually designed in different colours. One room is designed in a blue decor and upholstery, another is pink while the third is red. Every room is well ventilated and contains five charging points each.

There is a concave shaving mirror in each room which is so thoughtful as I found this feature missing in many high profile five star hotels! I can certainly see a power shift from starred hotels to luxury homestays like Barabagh who give personalised service at value for money pricing. One can amble across Barabagh’s farm and watch many migratory birds, who have made Mansarovar Lake their home. Every good thing must come to an end, and I bid my host Prithviraj and Aditi good-bye to proceed to Hotel Lakesway at Udaipur with a brief stopover at Nathdwara for a quick darshan of Lord Srinathji.