travelandleisureindia.inMEET THE ARTISANS OF KUTCH
The district of Kutch in the western state of Gujarat is home to a famed community of
artisans. Traditional crafts like hand embroidery, mirrorwork, lacquerware, and block
printing, are the pride of the region. Whether you’re visiting the area for its famous Great
Rann or its abundance of historical sites, set aside some time to discover Shrujan, a
non-profit organisation that has been working for the preservation, documentation, and
revitalisation of the indigenous art of hand-embroidery since 1969. Not only is it the right
place to learn about the handicraft’s legacy, but it also gives you the chance to visit the
villages of the 12 communities that keep the art alive—to see how they make your treasured
handicrafts. Also in the vicinity is the world-famous village of Ajrakhpur, where Ismael
Mohammed Khatri runs his 10-generation-old block-printing warehouse. shrujan.org#CONSCIOUSTRAVEL
TRACE THE ROYAL HISTORY OF BIKANER
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Famous for its grand havelis, bazaars as colourful
as its history, and streets lined with enticing little
eateries, the walled city of Bikaner is a treasure trove
of stories. One that is integral to its royal character
is the story of its most eminent rulers, and it can
be unspooled one palace at a time. Begin by visiting
Bikaji Ki Tekri—the first home of Rao Bika, who
founded the city in 1486, followed by Junagarh Fort,
his subsequent seat. The striking difference between
the two is symbolic of the wealth the foremost ruler
brought to Bikaner. Cut to the 1900s: visit Laxmi Niwas
Palace and Lalgarh Palace, the abodes of Maharaja
Ganga Singhji. The last of the royal homes of Bikaner,
Narendra Bhawan, belonged to Narendra Singhji.
Conclude your trip by visiting the cenotaphs at Devi
Kund Sagar. Customise your tour with India Heritage
Walks that hosts immersive cultural walks and events
across the country; indiaheritagewalks.comNot all of India has weather and land
conducive to viticulture, but Nashik’s
vineyards afford you the luxury of ‘hop
and sip’ that you’d typically associate
with a region like Hunter Valley in
Australia. A weekend here blends
immersive tasting plus wine-making
experiences with wonderful landscapes.
Start with Sula Vineyards for a wide
variety of red, white, rosé, and sparkling
wines. Next, head to Soma Vineyards, the
boutique winery that hosts the Culture
Kitchen restaurant, an amphitheatre, a
resort, and even a wedding venue space.
Another interesting one is the family-run
York Winery overlooking the Gangapur
Dam—come here for an intimate session
coupled with a great sunset and a glass
of Cuvee. Grover Zampa falls on your
way to Mumbai, and the place has sunny
courtyards, patios, and a treasure of Art
Collection wines. You could also ditch the
crowds and head to Vallonne Vineyards
for a taste of wines that reflect France’s
time-tested processes. Utopia Farmstay
provides boutique accomodations close
to these wineries. Travel Trikon lists a
one-day vineyard hopping tour that starts
from `3,000 per person; utopiafarmstay.
com; traveltrikon.comGO VINEYARD-HOPPING
IN MAHARASHTRA
——CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: PAUL STRAWSON/ALAMY; TUUL AND BRUNO MORANDI/ALAMY; ZUMA PRESS, INC./ALAMY