Hotel on the sacred Narmada River
More house than hotel. That's what it feels like at Ahilya Fort. The historic building in the village of Maheshwar has been transformed into a guest house by Prince Richard Holkar. More than 250 years earlier, one of his ancestors, Queen Ahilya, built the fort. And so it always remained a family home: guests dine together at one table, share the books from the library, but also find privacy in their own rooms.
The Ahilya Fort is located on the ghats, the steps along the sacred Narmada River. Every day pilgrims gather here to make sacrifices. But also women do the laundry here, kids come there to play and street vendors try to sell their products. A nice glimpse into everyday life. The best time to visit the ghats and stay at Ahilya Fort is in February, during the annual Sacred River Festival. Three nights on the steps along the river are sung, danced and music made. The setting is fairytale.
Tips & tops from Ahilya Fort:
- Ahilya Fort has thirteen guest rooms spread over six buildings surrounding a courtyard. There is also a tent with its own plungepool and garden
- There is no restaurant here, more at friends' house, so all at the table
- Ahilya Fort has a heated pool, but the water of the Narmada River is so clean that you can swim here
- Maheshwar is known for her weaving. At the Rehwa Society you can admire this craftsmanship
- The hotel has no restaurants, but for more than thirty years, chef Kuntabi has been cooking a delicious Mughal meal every night for more than thirty years, which guests can enjoy together in the garden
- During a walk on the ghats, the colours of India come to life
- Also during Divali, the festival of light, the Ahilya Fort is a perfect place to stay. Lights and lights make it extra atmospheric here
- A boat trip on the river (preferably at sunset!) is a perfect time to watch life on the waterfront
- Near the fort are many historic sites such as hindu pilgrimage site Omkareshwar and the ruins of the Islamic city of Mandu
