Enveloped in a dense cover of green, the Jambughoda Palace lies nestled within the forests of a wildlife sanctuary, deep within the verdant district of Panchmahal in Gujarat, the westernmost state of India.

Jambughoda is an erstwhile princely state, that now forms the Jambughoda taluka (administrative division).

‘India is a now democracy and we are all commoners but until independence my family ruled this place’ – these words spoken with a quiet princely dignity, formed my first conversation with Yuvraj Karmaveersinh of Jambughoda. This was the beginning of several more interesting and enlightening dialogues that I had the pleasure of engaging in, with the intelligent and well read Karmaveer in whose company I greatly enhanced my knowledge of the land.

I went there to experience the ‘Jambughoda Palace – A Home for Nature Lovers’ the palatial home of the erstwhile royal family who are the descendants of the earlier rulers of this region and I came away deeply impressed and richer by several friends, who treated me like their own and touched my heart with their hospitality, grace, elegance, demeanor and most of all humility … true hallmarks of the royals. There was so much to learn from my learned hosts and it was my honor to have had this brush with royalty in every sense.

Come, step into the vast environs of their property and enjoy its bounty with me.

Jambughoda Palace Hotel – A Home for Nature Lovers, continued from  Gujarat Royal Routes

History of Jambughoda – 

Jambughoda was a princely state that was established around 600 years ago in the late 14th century. In comparison to most of the other states, it was one of the smaller ones with a mere 56 villages in its principality but had the advantage of having a 130 sq km (13,000 hectares) of forest within its realm, which was rich in teak, bamboo, mahua and other indigenous varieties of trees.

The Jambughoda state was founded by the Parmars who were Rajputs that hailed from Mandu, Dhar in the Malwa region of central India. They were the descendants of Raja Bhoj, a famous king who ruled Malwa in the 11th century.

It is said that this region was occupied by the Bhil tribes who had a very despotic leader. When the ancestors of the royal family first arrived here, a Bhil tribal named Naru approached them for help to overthrow the head. In return he assured them that they could rule over the land and the tribes would be their faithful subjects. The tribal head was overthrown and the place was named Narukot after Naru.

Years later, the legend goes that during the Raj, a British officer travelled to this area for inspection. While taking a break, he tied his horse to a Jambu (Jamun/Indian Java plum) tree and went in search of water. When he got back, he found that the animal was missing. He went helter skelter looking for it, asking every passer by in his limited Hindi whether they had seen horse that was under the Jambu tree. His repeated chant of ‘Jambu Ghoda, Jambu Ghoda?’ quite amused the villagers. Well the tale just stops short of telling me whether the horse was found or not 😀 but what is known, is that the region came to be called Jambughoda ever since.

Jambughoda acceded to the Indian union during the post independence merger and the area that belonged to the rulers, is now a part of the taluka in the Panchmahal district of Gujarat, which encompasses around 56 villages.

The erstwhile royal family now occupies the royal palace and their fort, hospitals, libraries, schools, temples etc have been handed to the government.

About the family  – 

HH Maharana Vikramsinh ji is the current titular head and he is the son of Maharana Digvijay Sinhji who was the son of Maharana Ranjitsinhji Gambhirsinhji.

I was told that though Jambughoda was a 9 gun salute and despite being relatively small in comparison to many other larger royal states, it was nonetheless very well administered and hence earned the respect of the British who conferred upon the Maharana Ranjitsinhji the title of Companion of the Indian Empire CIE, which not many rulers of those times were accorded with.

Ranjitsinhji relinquished his throne during his lifetime, in favor of his son and hence Digvijay Sinhji became the last ruler of this state, reigning for 4 years from 1944-48 until the merger of states post Indian independence. He was the actual ruler to have signed the merger treaty.

After the demise of Digvijay Sinhji, Vikramsinh ji’s titular coronation took place in Dec 2003.

HH Maharana Vikramsinhji now lives in the palace along with Her H Maharani Gyaneshwari Devi ji and his son Yuvraj Karmaveersinh. Karmaveer is married to Yuvrani Bhavna Devi and has an 11 year old son. Karmaveer’s sister Rajkumari Chandramohini Devi, is married to Kunwar Ganga Singhji of Kundanpur and lives in Kota, Rajasthan with her toddler daughter.

An alumnus of the Doon school of Dehradun, Vikramsinghji made sure that his children also had the benefit of studying at this prestigious institution that has seen the likes of the late Shri Rajiv Gandhi and other celebrities.

After his graduation, the Maharana joined Kurien Verghese at the The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in Anand, as a PRO and was one of the first people to be a part of the company.

The rule in the 1970’s brought in by the government stating that those who possessed large land holdings should stay within a 14 km radius or lose their ownership, finally brought him back to his home where he has continued to stay ever since.

Crest/Coat of arms of Jambughoda –

The crest is topped with an Om which is the essence of life, which sits atop a Shivling.

On the left is a bull symbolizing stability and determination and on the right is a horse to signify freedom and power.

In the center is a trishul (trident) and this is crossed by 2 swords indicating protection and strength.

Satyameva Jayate is the motto on the base which stands for Truth alone Triumphs.

About the homestay – 

The original palace that the ancestors of the family lived in, has now been demolished. This new residence was built around 250 years ago and has been occupied by the family ever since. Another ‘haveli’ (mansion) was built across the backyard of the palace 100 years ago and is also a part of the residence now.

The idea of opening the place as a homestay came about when a few friends of the family came to visit and liked the place so much that they convinced them to open the place to the public. The idea was met with a lot of reluctance since the family was not used to their privacy being encroached upon. However after a lot of deliberation, it was decided to open up the place and they began with 1 room in 1999.

It was a slow start initially but after Maharana Digvijay Sinhji passed away in 2003, the family began to take it up on a more serious note to earn further income to be able to sustain the large property.

In the words of the Maharani Gyaneshwari, the royals were taught only how to administer and rule their states and not how to earn money.

Today 20 years later, the place is flourishing with 21 rooms and resort like amenities. They also curate tourist excursions to the surroundings, depending on the interests of their guests.

An overview of the premises –

The present premises of the Jambughoda estate occupies 12 acres of land with fields and orchards ensconcing the palace.

A sign post guides you off the main road into a large gateway.

One has to traverse nearly 1 kilometer over a track flanked by lush green fields, to eventually get to the palace where another huge metal gate bearing the crest of Jambughoda, greets you at the entrance to the compound.

The palace is a large building whose simple exterior holds within it the grandeur of the past.

Period furniture adorns the ante room and large living room.

Family history lines the walls in the form of several beautifully maintained photographs right from the ancestors to the present generation.

A large dining table occupies the front room and this is where the family gathers to dine or entertain their guests. The wooden chairs are so heavy that it is not possible for people like me to move them before fortifying myself with food 😀

Though the building looks huge, it has only 1 bedroom on the ground floor, which is occupied by the Maharana and Maharani. The 2 other bedrooms are on the first floor. The throne chamber is also on the first floor but is opened and used only for ceremonial purposes at festivals and poojas.

The second floor of the palace has the grand darbar which used to be the actual hall where the Maharana use to hold court. There is also a small viewing gallery that was used by the ladies in the days of yore.

A walled courtyard lies behind the palace and this is the favorite hang out of the family who are fans of the outdoors.

The ancient kitchen lies along one side and another haveli (mansion) forms the third border of the yard. This houses Karmaveer’s family and also a few more guest rooms.

Behind this haveli is another closed yard in the olden days, the Maharanis and their help would use this space for processing and drying fruits and vegetables for pickles and preserves. There was also a Gauhshala (cow shed) adjacent to it, and dairy products like butter and ghee would be churned for the family’s needs.

 

Tree lined pathways, lush lawns, pretty swings and charming garden furniture make up the rest of the surroundings.

The Maharana does not believe in the manicured look and hence the grounds are full of natural growth that includes several flowering plants and some beautiful specimens of trees.

Every monsoon he makes sure to plant new trees and mostly indigenous varieties are brought from the forest department and surroundings. The dense tree cover of the garden makes it hospitable for several species of birds and there have been over 80 of them spotted here that include doves, babblers, woodpeckers, egrets, ibis, golden orioles, Indian roller, peacocks etc.

The main compound is surrounded by organic vegetable gardens, paddy fields and fruit orchards that produce some excellent quality of fruit through the year.

The spaces that have been converted to guest rooms, are scattered around the compound in rows and clusters that used to be the annexes, outhouses and guest houses in earlier times.

There is a common dining hall/pavilion for the guests amidst the trees.

Rooms – 

There are a total of 21 rooms of which 11 are deluxe and 5 are standard. The remaining 5 rooms are budget rooms.

The Deluxe rooms are spacious, have air conditioning, tea/coffee maker, 24 hour hot water, cupboard, sofas, luggage racks, side tables, dressing table etc.

 

The Regular rooms have similar amenities but are smaller in size and have simpler furniture like traditional cane modas.

The budget rooms do not have air conditioning and their washrooms are not en suite.

The rooms are a mix of the ancient and the modern. There is a simplicity that mingles with the richness, so while some features may appear old and jaded, there is nevertheless sufficient comfort that is provided.

Some of the rooms have been recently refurbished and these provide a brighter ambience than the older rooms. The renovated common lobbies between rooms are also beautifully done up.

The redecoration is yet work in progress and it is expected that the other rooms also will be given a face lift in due course.

The rooms are not identical and have been carved out during renovation into various sizes, as space and engineering permitted. Hence one should not expect a standardization that one will have in a commercial hotel.

My room –

I had the pleasure and honor of being put up in the special room which was the first to be opened in the homestay. This is a spacious deluxe room that can be accessed through a beautifully furnished common hall as well as through a back door that leads to the dining area and backyard of the palace. The heavy wooden doors had an equally heavy and ornate metal bolt, which I had to exercise my muscles to open and close 😀

Large and comfortable double beds, a stunning antique wooden cupboard with a peacock inlaid panel, sofas, side tables and an antique dressing table in the large bathroom made up most of the furniture.

Apart from this, the room was simple and neat and had tea and coffee facilities, bottled water, air conditioning, a fan and 24 hours hot water.

Organic vegetable garden and fruit orchards –

A great proponent of natural and chemical free farming, the Maharana encourages growing of seasonal vegetables that are packed with nutrients. A fruit for every season, being his mantra, he has planted trees like mangoes, papayas, chikoos, bananas, custard apple, jamun (jambu/Indian Java plum), coconuts, palm fruit and many more.

The lemons that they grow are of a giant seedless variety that are just bursting with juice and aesthetically so beautiful that I could not stop clicking them 😀

They also grow seasonal vegetables like Ladyfinger, cabbage, colocasia leaves and many others, which are a delight to behold and an even greater delight to consume.

Though there are many varieties of fruits and vegetables, the king of the King’s garden however, is the mango. They grow around 12 varieties like Kesar, Langda, Rajapuri etc and these are available in May and June. Said to be highly superior in texture and sweetness, those who have eaten them swear that they cannot match any other mango that they have had elsewhere.

The papayas were on in September when I visited and the Jamuns had just be done with hence unfortunately I could not taste this purple fruit which is a favorite of mine.

According to Bhavna, the custard apples were next in line and I deeply regretted that I would not be around to gorge on what she described as being so sweet that they actually hurt … a pain that I would have given anything to experience 😀 This place is certainly a fruit lovers paradise and that would be one of the prime reasons (among many others) why I would want to return there.

The produce that was initially meant for the family, now has become a runaway success and is now bought by eager friends and family. Even the saplings are in great demand which the family generously shares with the noble goal of propagating good produce.

Cuisine –

The influences of the different regions from which the various members of the royal family have hailed over the years, is perceived in the cuisine of the family. For eg, Karmaveer’s paternal was from the princely state of Datia in Madhya Pradesh and her mother hailed from Balrampur on the Nepal border.

Karmaveer’s mother is from Udaipur and his wife is from the Shekhawat region. Thus a melange of Madhya Pradeshi, Rajasthani and Gujarati flavors with an occasional Nepali item, form the characteristics of this assortment of dishes and the table has always something interesting to display.

A touch of the European/continental is also found due to the influence of the British and the Europeans who lived in the nearby town of Shivrajpur that was famous for its Manganese mines. Some of the royalty also had foreign nannies, who introduced their specialties into the kitchen and hence the cuisine at Jambughoda palace is an interesting mix of the local as well as the global.

The various dishes have evolved over the generations into a signature cuisine which is a mix of the classic and the various innovations that have evolved down the line. While the older generations of Maharanis were also extremely skilled, they also had cooks who could produce the finest of dishes under their watchful eyes. In fact the cook Vittal who recently retired, actually learnt cooking from his grandmother who was trained by the Maharani at that time. He would hang around in the kitchen with his grandma, right from his childhood and in course of time developed a flair for cooking. Encouraged by the royal family, he then went on to head the kitchen for several years until he retired. He is still in demand when there is a large banquet to be dished up.

The current Maharani is also a highly talented person and a gold medalist in Home Science and she personally supervises the kitchen.

What I found very reassuring was that most of their ingredients are home grown using natural manure and no chemical pesticides. The guests of the palace are truly lucky to be able to partake of this organic cuisine which is home cooked with much love and what is known in India as Haath ka swaad, meaning the skill or flavor of the hand.

Also highly endearing is the fact that the food is cooked almost entirely on firewood and the latticed walls of the kitchen hold within them the smoky flavors that one can savor even before the table is laid!!! An evocative picture will convey so much more than what my words can.

Some of the signature dishes are Coconut kabab, a Marathi dish that used to be made by a Maharashtrian Bai (cook), which is a patty made of fresh grated coconut mixed with boiled channa dal, green chillies and other seasonings and shallow fried.

A Nepali dal and potato dish has been named Mamma ka aloo, after Karmaveer’s grandmother.

Guests of the homestay  have a common dining pavilion of sorts amidst the gardens and the food is laid out on tables in buffet style. However, visitors who stay for longer than a night, usually enjoy one meal at the royal table in the dining room of the palace where the family accompanies them.

A standard breakfast would include cereal, 2 main Indian dishes from a choice of Alu paratha, Upma, Poha, Thepla, Idli, chillas and the relevant accompaniments. Toast or bread with honey, butter, home made jams, fruits, etc.

Juice, milk, tea, coffee are the beverages.

Lunch and dinner are on on prior intimation. The menu consists of farsan (Gujarati snack/starter) like Dhokla, Khandvi etc. The mains consist of a non veg item, 2 seasonal vegetables, a rice preparation, dal, curry, salad, assorted Indian breads (rotis) that include wheat and also the gluten free alternatives of Pearl millet (bajra) and Makai (corn). Buttermilk is served with the meal. Dessert is an Indian sweet like Gulab jamun or Rasgulla or Halwa made from various vegetables etc.

There is also an option of ordering a Gala meal which has 2 non veg items, 3 vegetable dishes and 2 desserts in addition to the above. The charm of this meal is that it is served in the monogrammed crockery of the family that bears the state Crest and the guest is accompanied by at least one member of the family.

A more superior meal is the Darbari Thali. This is served for a maximum group size of 12 people and is served in the royal silverware in true regal style. This is a very elaborate menu and serves an impressive 25 or more items. This is for people who want to experience the wide range of flavors of the palace cuisine and also dine like kings and queens 😀

In fact, word about the delicious fare spread far enough to put Jambughoda Palace on the route of the Maharaja Express from 2010 t0 2013. This is a 5 star luxury tourist train operated by Indian Railways, that crisscrosses select destinations in India. Jambughoda used to host 4 lunches per month as a part of the itinerary and this was an elaborate sit down silver service showcasing the sumptuous Darbari Thali. The dining space was a shamiana (tent) that could accommodate a 100 people. This practice ended when the train changed route in later years.

Interestingly, there is also one more meal type available, known as the mini meal which is a basic meal with a minimal number of dishes that is offered to those with a low budget or low appetite 😀

On festive occasions, the regular meals are made a bit more elaborate for the same price.

Over and above this, there are flexible made to order options.

During my stay, I had the pleasure of experiencing one meal in their signature crockery. My plate bore some of my favorites like Patra, Dhebra, Bajra roti, Makai (maize) roti, chicken curry, rasgulla, gulab jamun etc.

Of course the availability of bountiful home grown produce and year round sunshine and large spaces, are also highly conducive to the making of pickles and preserves and drying of tamarind, raw mangoes, amlas and other preservable fruit. Mouth watering pickles, home made jams and marmalade and other conserves are also offered to the eager guests who delight in this bonanza 😀 While their fresh produce is now finding its way to the market, plans are underway to retail these bottled products too.

For a lover of such produce, my only complaint was – ‘Sigh, if only Bangalore was not so far away’!!!

Banquet halls and meeting rooms –

Apart from being a destination for leisure travellers, the palace also has the facility to host business meetings and events, thanks to its palatial Darbar Hall and large lawns. The regal hall that actually used to be the court of the erstwhile rulers, is now a unique and interesting venue to conduct a corporate event or gathering.

Amenities and facilities –

For those living in the surrounding parts of Gujarat, this place serves as a quick weekend getaway. For entertainment there are swings, badminton courts, table tennis, carrom, chess, bicycles etc.

And of course the big draw is the gorgeous blue swimming pool with the palace in view on one side and the backdrop of the 24 inch thick compound wall on the other. The pool has been operational since 2 years and is a nice big 20 x 45 feet in size and 4 ft deep.

Apart from this, for people like me who come to just enjoy the lush greenery and pristine environs, the natural surroundings themselves are entertainment enough.

Things to do within the premises –

One can spend time walking through the fields, bird watching, visiting the organic garden, cycling, running behind the geese 😀 or just chilling out on the porch or poolside.

The 2 year old swimming pool is a huge attraction and is highly popular with the guests.

In winters bonfires are lit on the grounds and sometimes dinners are arranged around it.

Conversations with the Maharana and the rest of the family are also very interesting and enlightening affairs and it is a pleasure to listen to them talk about their history, their principles, their future plans and basically anything, since the company is friendly, intelligent, well read and happy to share. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them and being transported to a surreal world listening to their wonderful tales of yore.

Cooking demonstrations – For those who are interested in mastering their secret recipes 😀 the Maharani conducts cooking classes in the backyard. She is a highly affectionate person and her smile and warmth can charm anyone. It is sheer pleasure to spend time in her company.

Visits can be arranged to the farmers in their adjacent fields, who will demonstrate how to climb a Palmyra palm and extract toddy.

If you ask very nicely, they will even allow you to sit on their tractor and pretend to take driving instructions from you 😀

There is also an ancient step well on their land which one can get a clearer view of in the dry seasons. Being fascinated by these structures, I requested to visit it though it was brimming over with water in the extended monsoon of this year.

Things to do in the surroundings –

Jambughoda has a range of exciting possibilities for the tourist, that are curated to suit varying interests. A nature lovers dream, one can revel in its numerous forest trails, waterfalls, trekking paths, picnic spots, lakes, bird sanctuaries and other locations.

Visits to village markets (haats), museums, handicraft centers and tribal homes and many such activities are possible. High tea by the lakeside or a rustic meal cooked by tribals in their home are also offered. Most of the times Karmaveer personally escorts the guests on the trips and it is fascinating to listen to the wealth of information that he fluently shares, that can beat any guide hollow.

A significant place of interest a mere 25 km from the palace, is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Champaner-Pavagadh.

Lots more information in the post on – Things to do in and around Jambughoda, Gujarat

Phone and internet connectivity –

Phone signals are not very good and one has to depend on the vagaries of their service provider. Internet likewise is not too reliable though on the whole I was able to manage. WiFi likewise, is also not very dependable even though the hosts provide it.

Visitor profile –

This is a beautiful palace in the heart of nature. It is highly suitable for families, children, elderly people, couples, honeymooners and a host of such leisure travellers. It is a quick getaway for those who live in the surrounding cities and towns, being one of the largest green lung spaces within 100 km of Vadodara.

Artists, photographers, writers, bird watchers, nature lovers and trekking enthusiasts will find this place a haven.

Yoga and meditation programs are also conducted here.

It is a treasure trove for those interested in history, heritage and the culture and traditions of tribals and rural communities.

Because of the advantage of being vast, the venue is also suitable for corporate and business meetings and conferences with a difference.

Social and environmental commitment – 

Continuing the legacy of generosity and concern for the welfare of their subjects was of prime importance to Maharana Digvijay Sinhji. Even after independence, it is said that in his head he was still a ruler and like a true king he was constantly concerned about the welfare of his people. In his benevolence, he would constantly exhort his son to ‘take care of the praja (subjects)’ and make sure that they were not in any need.

He founded many schools, hospitals and temples. His father’s policy that none of his people would be without land, ensured that every person in the realm had some means of earning and until today this is still recounted with gratitude by some of the elders in the villages who are highly respectful of the family and treat them with due deference.

Currently the family trust supports a school that has around 400 tribal children. Some of the guests who visit the Palace also express a desire to engage with the community and help out monetarily or in other ways.

The family has also donated a building to assist in running a hostel for 150 tribal children who live there since it is convenient for their schooling.

Maharana Vikramsinhji has also been a game changer for the farmers. Despite not being in active politics, he continues to help them with advice on cash crops, has introduced more viable cattle breeds to the locals, stays in touch with the authorities to ensure the protection of forests and has even been instrumental in various conservation efforts like protesting against the construction of roads that would endanger the forest, despite the fact that he would benefit from the increased traffic.

The Maharana is a lover of nature and great advocate of protecting tree cover. It was his concerted efforts at conservation of the forest that was fast depleting due to deforestation, that finally was responsible for the government declaring the Jambughoda forest as a protected sanctuary. He took the help of the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and persisted until the declaration took place in May 1990. He is thus responsible for the successful protection of the forest that would have been reduced to barren land but is now thriving and has contributed to the ecological balance with good rainfall and afforestation drives. It has also prevented the indigenous tribes from migrating away from the place.

Today the extent of the forest is 130 sq km and is home to leopards, hyenas, nilgais, 4 horned antelopes, wild boar and sloth bear, apart from over 150 species of indigenous and migratory birds. This is also the largest  concentration of green that is within 100 km of Vadodara, the nearest major city.

This accomplishment conferred on him the prestigious Fatehsingh Rao Gaekwad Conservation Award, granted by the International Society of Naturalists … a certificate that proudly adorns the walls of his living room.

Best time to visit –

Winters are the peak season in this region. The weather is a big deciding factor and November to February sees the highest inflow of tourists. This is also a good time for bird watchers, since the water bodies throng with several migratory species.

The landscape is also beautiful in the spring time of March. The forest is a dry deciduous type and the trees start losing their foliage and turn yellow and brown. The mahua trees shimmer in gold and bronze and red and towards the end of March to mid April, the flowers blossom and fall in sheets, forming picturesque carpets on the ground. The weather is still not too hot and the high point is the festival of Holi which is celebrated on the first full moon after winter and signifies the beginning of spring. It begins with Bhagoria which signifies the time of harvest and is celebrated for 7 days before Holi where all the tribals get together and dress up in colorful wear and go around visiting melas in the region in order to make their Holi purchases. It is also a time to socialize with song and dance and matchmaking is sometimes a by product 😀 On the last day the Holika (Holi pyre) is lit in an open field under the full moon sky. Tribals also perform the chul no melo, which is walking on coal. The following day is called Dhuleti and is the actual festival where colors are thrown on each other. The family includes the guests in all these celebrations and it is a wonderful opportunity to experience. In the evening there is music and dance and a grand feast.

The day after Holi there is a fair in a place called Panibar mela 45 km away. This is followed by the main fair called Kavant Ger, at Kavant 50 km away. The Bhagoria festival and the Kavant fair are a photographer’s delight, where they can photograph tribals in painted bodies and flamboyant headgear with peacock feathers and other brilliant scenes.

April to June are the peak summer months where temperatures go beyond 40 deg c. Despite the heat, the attraction during this time are the mangoes from their orchards that show up in all their glory in May and June. After hearing so much about them, the mango lover in me actually began contemplating risking my life in the 40+ deg temperature just to sample the bounty next year 😀 Of course there is always the swimming pool to save my life.

July onwards come the rains that go on till end of September. The temperatures do come down but it is still hot and humid. Being a forest belt, rains are heavy and the countryside becomes lush and verdant and the waterfalls, rivers and lakes are at their best. This is a good time for nature photography.

October is usually the month of Navratri festivities and Dussehra. Being Rajputs, this is the most important festival season for the family. A host of rituals and celebrations are performed and this will be a fantastic time for a guest to visit since they are welcome to involve themselves in the ceremonies that take place in true regal style replete with royal wear, poojas, horse worship, temple visits, large feasts and everything related to the festivities.

What you should carry –

A pair of sturdy walking shoes, an umbrella/raincoat during monsoons, binoculars if interested in bird and animal life and a camera to capture the exquisiteness.

Getting there –

Jambughoda is in the district of Panchmahal which adjoins the district of Vadodara. The nearest major city is Vadodara city which is well connected by all modes of transport.

Air – Vadodara airport operates a limited number of flights and is well connected to important cities like Ahmedabad and Mumbai. There is one direct flight from Bangalore which I flew on.

Rail – Vadodara is an important rail junction on the Western railway and is connected to many major cities.

Bus – Likewise there are good bus services to several towns and cities.

Jambughoda is 80 km from Vadodara and it takes around 1 hr 30 min by private vehicle. The roads are excellent and the landscape is scenic, especially while driving past the UNESCO World Heritage site of Champaner. Do not miss the photo op at the lake called Vada Talaav that lies at the foothills of the Pavagadh hills, around 50 km from Vadodara.

While the most convenient way of getting to Jambughoda from Vadodara is cab or private car, Gujarat state transport buses also ply on the route.

The hosts at Jambughoda Palace also have connections with reliable cab agencies.

Being a rural area, the main means of transport within Jambughoda, is cab or private vehicle and one cannot really depend on any other means of public transport.

Booking and contact –

You can contact them directly or through various portals like booking.com, Make my trip, etc

Address –

A Home for Nature Lovers, Jambughoda Palace

P.O. Jambughoda, District Panchmahal, Pin Code – 389390, Gujarat, India.

Phone: +91-9427301641, +91-9428129804, +91-9825041215

Email id of Jambughoda Palace

Website of Jambughoda Palace

Facebook Page of Jambughoda Palace

Instagram of Jambughoda Palace

 

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Please Note – This trip was made in collaboration with Jambughoda Palace. The narrative is based on the inputs that I received from various sources as well as my own experiences.

This itinerary was specially curated hence some of the features might have been personalized accordingly. Before booking, please check the facilities offered in your package.

Sep 21st – 23rd, 2019