Being ushered into narrow, forest-bound lanes nearly 30 minutes from the Udaipur airport brings in a sudden bout of fresh, crisp air. Five minutes into traversing the kachcha roads, Chunda Shikar Oudi, a luxury boutique stay by the Mahadev Sagar Lake, greets us.
We are not on the lookout for wildlife as we enter, but the passion for respecting, serving, and preserving the species in the area is palpable as one steps in. Several images of stunning wild beings, peeking into the past of the land, are peppered along the hall area. As we are taking it in, the hospitality team points excitedly out the window to a group of easily entertained wild boars. “If you sit by the window, you’ll see them come and go through the day,” they tell us.
A delicate presence runs through spaces (L-R) The family room; Characterful upholstery
One would expect as much — a shikar oudi, meaning a hunting post, once sat in the low hills that now hosts one half of the luxurious stay. Chunda Shikar Oudi consists of the revamped shikar oudi, now a gorgeous villa. Opposite to it, across a wondrous C-shaped private lake is a boutique hotel of eight suites. These sit comfortably in a 150-acre private forest, which was a hunting ground till Prime Minister Indira Gandhi banned hunting around 1972. It now thrives under the care of the Chunda Group — helmed by Director Veeram Dev Singh Krishnawat — which treats the region with unmatched respect. It finds and hones in on the delicate balance of our interaction with surrounding nature, its inhabitants, as well as its natural elements — evident from its use of local building materials.
The property is not surrounded by modern-world attractions. A sufficient and fulfilling experience in its own right, Chunda Shikar Oudi boasts of sensitively designed rooms — in upholstery, decor, and art, we find imagery of the magnificent animals that inhabit the forest along with us. With nearly all of the rooms facing the glimmering lake, there is neither much scope of weariness, nor monotony. Elsewhere, the various rooms of the property tell their own tale. What may be best described as the ‘living room’ at the hotel, is rife with pockets of history — in the books that recount culinary traditions of the Mewars, the photographs spotlighting the locals that nurture the place, and much more. Its ‘family room’, which houses tools for angling, fishing, and stargazing, among others, is a space that exudes a unique comfort — imagine soft conversations within the family after a long day of exploring the forest, an intense round of charades between friends, or an enthusiastic bunch planning out their next day with delicious cocktails in hand. We are told that no designer was hired to make this happen — it’s all Veeram’s vision, brought to life by the wonderful team.
(L-R) The shikari mutton in the making; A subtle yet bright space to dine
Chunda Shikar Oudi portrays its pride in all aspects of local heritage and traditions, and a standout one is the Mewari thali. A feat for anyone who completes it, the thali gave us the complete taste of the land. Dahi ke kabab, lal maas, machhi ka keema, dum arbi, mewari dal, gatte ki sabzi, lasun-mirch chutney — a few shining elements of a diverse plate of food. Outdoors, at an off-site of sorts, the food is cooked over open fire with the freshest ingredients. Here, a jalebi chaat surprised us thoroughly — sweet, tangy, crunchy. The shikari mutton — a bare dish prepared with basic spices and chillies — is unmissable.
At first glance, the geographical bounds of Chunda Shikar Oudi may hint at a limited experience. But the property and its warm team ensures a packed itinerary. Evenings are best spent in an open-top jeep making its way through the greens of the private forest. Nilgai and wild boars may be common sights, but the chase is always on for a magnificent leopard. Naturalists at Chunda Shikar Oudi know the forest like the back of their hand — and with it, a profound understanding of the animals that inhabit it. Each route intertwines with the next, and if you’re lucky, like us, you will spot the most graceful gait, the sharp eyes, and the magical allure of a leopard. The private lake allows for fresh sports such as angling, or a good old boat ride among the chirps of the several hundred species of birds. The maintenance of the forest and the sensitive care for the animals is a Chunda Group undertaking — ensuring the future of the region is fruitful.
Locally sourced building materials make this wonder in the forest come alive
Whether out in the forest, on the lake, or inside the suite looking out onto the expanse, a thought by one of the naturalists pointing out to the lush, loud region, rings true: “Insaan kuch bhi bana sakta hai, par ye nahi bana paayega.” (Humans can build anything, but we can’t build this). They tell us how Chunda Shikar Oudi is simply a window to their world — one where nature is absolutely everything, and we are specks amongst it.
‘Luxury’ takes on several meanings here — some may seek the absolute remoteness, some the thrill of spotting a leopard at any corner, while others may most appreciate simply being. Wildlife photographer Robbie George had said, “The blissful essence of your mind can be found in the mystique of the wilderness.” And if one didn’t think this to be true all this while, we suggest a trip to Chunda Shikar Oudi.
Words by Meghna Mathew.
