Chanoud Garh

Chanoud was granted to Thakur Anoop Singh in the early 18th century, after the Godwar jagirs passed from Mewar to Marwar and Chanoud became a First Class Jagir under Jodhpur State. Thakur Vishen Singh took over in 1745 and spent a 45 year reign building the palace, around 150,000 square feet of it. Even the most recent additions are close to a century old, and the house has never left the family: three generations live here now, with ten suites let around them.

The suites hold family heirlooms and a mix of antique and modern furniture, and several were put up under colonial rule for British hunting parties. All are en suite with their own lounge. Dining moves around the building. Breakfast and lunch are in Moti Mahal, the main hall, which keeps its original hand painted vegetable dye work. Dinner goes to the Badal Mahal roof terrace in summer, or beside a bonfire in Mor Chowk, a mud walled courtyard painted by local artisans. Tea is at the Hawa Mahal, looking over the village.

Wheat, pulses and milk come off the family farm and dairy. The head of the house walks guests through the durbar and the family museum.