Located in Central India’s Bundelkhand region, the village resort is about 3 km from Chanderi. Chanderi may be famous for its silks, but Pranpur wraps itself around your senses definitively. Luring you into its folds, the village life undulates at its relaxed, languorous pace, securely holding you in its peaceful, undisturbed existence. And what better way than the Amraee Rural Resort to choose as your home base as you soak up your senses in Madhya Pradesh’s rural landscape and live among the locals, alternatively learning something new and surrendering to the peace and languid pace of the place.
Set in the middle of a mango orchard, the Amraee Rural Resort enjoys a picturesque setting which provides an excellent introduction to what visitors can expect on a visit here.
The resort derives its name from its surroundings. Amraee means a mango orchard. It’s nod to responsible tourism is evident in its herbal and organic kitchen garden among several other things. The resort also has a conference room that doubles as a museum of Chanderi metal work and pottery.
A visit to Amraee will not just provide an escape from the raciness of city life, but will enable you to discover a new old world, one that will pull you in with its earthiness and historic charm. A stay here presents you with the perfect opportunity to interact with the weavers and watch magic unfold in front of your eyes as cloth is transformed into clothes. You can even get one of your very own choice and design. For those who are not content to just watch, can try their hand at the weaving themselves. It will, of course be a matter of chance if you intend to sell it! The resort in particular and Pranpur are ideal spots for a reprieve of city life and urban chaos. There is much to do here to keep yourself occupied.
The daily routine of the villagers from dawn to dusk is enough to keep the most hardened city native fascinated, and the historic Chanderi city is a delight for those intrigued by this old old city’s past. Enjoy the folk tales hidden in the heart of Bundelkhand and surrender to folk music and lively dances of another India!
The Amraee Rural Resort is an experiment in getting back to nature, and a successful one at that. Developed by Travel Another India, the Amraee Rural Resort is an initiative undertaken to make a positive contribution to nature, culture and the true spirit of travel. Exposing the world of travellers to newer experiences not only in terms of places to visit, but in opening themselves to new experiences, Travel Another India established the resort as a way to attract travellers looking to venture into uncharted territory and showcase to the world the depth of the culture of the locals of Pranpur, all with an eye to preserving the culture and environment of this charming village.
Stay
The five-acre mango orchard is a indication of the things to come, a fitting prologue to the rest of the resort and the rooms.
There are a total of four rooms, which makes the resort a cosy place in which to park yourself to escape from the urban and the restless.
Spacious, clean and comfortable, the rooms are all fitted out with western-style bathrooms. Since power-cuts are the norm in the area, solar lanterns are provided in each room.
Dine
The resort restaurant has been decorated with paintings and folk art by the resort’s manager, Rajpal. Here, Jagbhan weaves magic with his parathas and exotic chutneys. You can order from their simple vegetarian fare or opt for their special Bundelkhandi Thali. The tea is made in typical local style – milky and sweet. However, the cheerful Jaghban is ever-eager to alter it to suit your palate. And of course, he does know how to make a strong coffee!
The adivasis (tribals) in the area use the root of a shrub to stun fish and make them easier prey? Or that a drongo which sits on the horn of cattle on its very first flight can cause the animal’s horn to fall off? This is just a sampling of the local tales that your guide will tell you as you trek along the seasonal river Babhutia into the forest nearby or climb the hillocks around for a better view of Pranpur.
In the rainy season, the forest trek will take you through knee-deep rivers and waterfalls.
Watch the sunrise at Rajghat Dam about 20 minutes away and the sunset at Chanderi Fort about 3 km away.
Pay a visit to Chanderi and spend some time there, soaking in the history of the place and sightseeing the various historical spots – the baolis or step wells built by the Sultans, the forts and palaces that still stands as a testament to its long and chequered history, the Koshak Mahal, Jageshwari Temple and the Jama Masjid.
Visit Chanderi’s ASI museum for a glimpse of the sculptures that have been recovered from the 8th -11th centuries, such as those in the Jain sites of Budhi Chanderi and Thoban.
Dabble in the resort’s herbal and kitchen garden for a healthy dose of organic farming.
Discover the crafts and inherent skills of the people of Pranpur – weaving Chanderi silk, pottery, metal work, stone carving and ‘beedi’ rolling.
Take a tour Pranpur with a local guide and interact with the craftsmen and women and their families and try your hand at the loom or the wheel
Enjoy the song and dance shows organised at the resort for a peek into Bundelkhandi folk tradition.
Travel Another India believes in walking the talk. It does not only help travellers and tourists discover ‘another’ India, one that sits comfortably in its own skin, that does not feel the need to change itself to fit in with the rest of the world, it also helps travellers discover the joys of ‘another’ type of travel. Travelling that is done responsibly with as little damage to nature and local culture as possible.
Culturally Responsible
The Amraee Rural Resort was set up as part of a UNDP and Government of India project to promote rural tourism in 2008. The Pranpur Village Tourism Development Committee maintains and runs the resort. Its main aim is to promote the weavers, potters and metal workers while developing the village as a tourist site. You can directly interact with the local craftspeople and buy products from them, ensuring maximum revenue to them and recognition of their skills.
Environmentally Responsible
Solar lamps are provided in all the rooms.
The resort grows its own vegetables and herbs.
Sight-seeing around Pranpur is also offered on a bullock-cart, an option that takes up no fuel, and leaves no carbon footprint!
The Guest House will soon buy a fridge made of terracotta and needing no electricity – the Mitti Cool fridge – eco-friendly on many fronts-
The resort offers the option to guests to not have their sheets changed and to reuse towels.
All compostable waste is composted and the manure is used in the vegetable garden.
Visitors are encouraged to avoid plastic packaging, carry larger bottles of water and refill wherever possible, and to eat locally prepared fresh food instead of packaged food.
Guests are encouraged to take a 2-km forest trek in the forest of Bhabhutia where they can spot herbs that are used by tribals to stun fish, plants that are sacred for marriages in the region and learn more about the various trees around with the help of a local guide.
Many farms in Pranpur use age-old traditional farming and irrigation methods. Guests can opt for a day at the field and help out the farmers while learning a few tips on agriculture in return.
Economically Responsible
Enabling the local villagers to become self-sufficient is one of the major objectives of setting up the resort. The villagers are trained in hospitality and taught to interact with tourists and promote their unique culture and way of life to visitors.
If you ever had any doubts that ethical travel and responsible tourism would mean sacrificing luxury and comforts, guess again!
What’s Hot!
- A rare glimpse into a thriving rural culture and a different India.
- An opportunity to explore a new craft and try your hand at it as well.
- Being surrounded by a wealth of history, both natural and manmade.
- An ideal escape into a rural retreat, away from urban chaos.
What’s Not!
- Since the resort is in a rural area, power cuts are a common occurance, but solar lamps are provided in each room.
- Access to an internet connection is not available in the village, so be prepared for a holiday cut off from technology.
Ideal For Whom
If you love to discover new places, then a visit to the Amraee Rural Resort is ideal for you. A visit here is fun for families, single travellers, groups of people, couples and anyone else bitten by the travel bug!
When To Visit
Once the rains start in July, the area begins to cool off. From August the festivals begin and it is a mass of colour, music and dance all around. The best weather is from November to February when it becomes cold and the bonfires burn bright.
Things To Bring
Carry a book, a pack of cards or board games for some fun relaxed times in the afternoons.
Any medicines that you use regularly as it may not be possible to buy the exact prescription locally
Batteries for your camera – you may not get what you need in nearby Chanderi – and you are going to be clicking a lot!
Walking shoes
Modest clothes
A scarf / hat to cover your head while out during the day – the sun is fierce even in winter
An open mind!
Cash, especially if you intend to buy silks, as the nearest ATM is 4 km away
Warm clothes if you are traveling in winter
By Air:
The nearest airport is Bhopal (232 km). From the airport, hop into a cab run by Akbar Travels who provide a reliable taxi service.
By Rail:
The nearest railway station is Lalitpur, about 35 km from Pranpur. There are several trains to Lalitpur from Delhi and Mumbai that leave through the day. There are also a few trains to other major stations in Madhya Pradesh such as Jhansi (110 km from Pranpur) and Mungawli (40 km from Pranpur). From Lalitpur, buses to Chanderi can drop you off at Pranpur. A pick-up can be organised on request.
To view the exact location of Pranpur on the map click here
When was the last time you went on a bullock cart ride? Or saw a side of India that lay hidden from mainstream public consumption, the one most tourists see with ancient architecture, busy bazaars and sunny beaches?
There is another India, simpler, but the more beautiful for it and equally vibrant, where the tourist actually gets a glimpse into the real charm of India, its people. Travel Another India aspires to bring this unique experience to the urban traveller. While doing so, it ensures that the hosts, who provide this experience, have a sustainable, alternative income option.
While there are others who offer tours off-the-beaten-track, Travel Another India is different in that they work alongside rural communities and ensure that they own, manage and control the venture.
This team is made up of a roster of professionals from across India who understand how to work with communities while being passionate about travel and providing the right experience to guests.
The Amraee Rural Guest House is owned by the Pranpur Village Tourism Development Committee which comprises artisans from Pranpur who are experts in weaving, pottery and metal work. They are supported in their work by Travel Another India.
The venture started as a project of the Ministry of Tourism and the United Nations Development Programme and ran from 2005 to 2009, when it was handed over to the Committee.
There is a full time Manager on site who ensures the comfort of the guests. The village itself is about a kilometre away. The Committee members usually drop in on the guest house about once a day while guests are there to ensure that they are comfortable as well as to regale them with stories from the region. The Committee meets once a month to discuss various management issues. While the guest house is where the guests spend a lot of time, the Committee also makes sure that guests are able to interact with the artisans, soak in the history of the region and savour its natural beauty. Overall, the Committee members act as your hosts when you visit Pranpur.
