Neha Mehrotra
15-Sep-2025
At Sariska Lodge, I was in the lap of nature and wildlife, unwinding from the job I love but occasionally need a break from.
I am in the middle of a stable, and four majestic Marwari horses- Zufar, Aswa, Alia, and Rocky – are trotting around, followed by two wagging tails who are familiar with the scene yet watching in awe of the speed and power of these equines. Much like me.
“These horses were rescued from circuses and lives of abuse. Here, at our Ashwalaya, we nurture them back to health and give them the care they deserve,” Anand Shekhawat, the founder of Sariska Lodge, tells me. His words carry such compassion that you instantly know he is a man who loves nature and wildlife. Raised in a family tied closely to forests, he inherited the legacy of his father, R.S. Shekhawat, former Director of Ranthambore National Park and a legendary voice in tiger conservation. That same spirit echoes at Sariska Lodge, a place where you instantly realise you are now a guest in nature’s domain.
The Location
Sariska Lodge, an intimate retreat just three hours from Delhi, sits on 15 acres of afforested land at the edge of Sariska Tiger Reserve, framed by the gorgeous Aravalli Hills. It’s as much an ode to the wilderness as it is to the layered history of the region. For founders Anand Shekhawat, a veteran hotelier, and Puneet Jain, a visionary entrepreneur and wildlife enthusiast, the lodge reflects their shared belief in genuine hospitality and conservation.
As soon as the car halts, I am welcomed by Nigel, a Great Dane, and Jiro, a lively 7-month-old German Shepherd, with open ‘paws’ and uncontrolled excitement! They claim the role of my guide, and I happily follow their lead! As I wander through the property, I find stone walls, reclaimed wood, and shaded verandas. There is a deliberate nod to the British-era forest rest houses and the old Rajasthani hunting lodges — earthy tones, latticed jaalis that scatter the sunlight, supple leather accents, and locally crafted details that root the place firmly in its landscape.
The Rooms
Sariska Lodge offers eleven private suites, including Mountain Suites with sweeping Aravalli views, Pool Suites and Fort Suites with views of the 18th-century Tehla Fort. My Pool Suite comes with outdoor sit-outs at the front and back (with a swing and a plunge pool) and an expansive bedroom. The rooms are thoughtfully designed: neutral colours, wood furnishings crafted by local artisans, soft cottons that breathe in the heat, and a large terrazzo bathtub that makes you want to stay a bit longer.
The Taste of Comfort
My first meal in the dining room had me thinking just one thing: comfort food. A fresh, perfectly balanced Thai curry with sticky rice was set before me — made with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, much of it harvested from the organic garden painstakingly nurtured by the founders themselves, as are all the meals here. The menu is seasonal but isn’t confined to one cuisine. Alongside regional flavours, you’ll find global favourites like gazpacho, bruschettas, wood-fired pizzas, and more. And then, of course, there are the authentic Rajasthani dishes, prepared by locals who once worked as labourers in building the property.
Breakfast, though, was my absolute favourite. The stuffed parathas and pickles (aachars) prepared using local vegetables are something that I still think about! The best part of the property is that your meals are not just limited to the dining room; one can also dine under the trees and savour campfire dinners.
A Wellness Center, Not Just a Spa
A striking blue door stands before me, and as soon as I step in, I find myself in an open courtyard, a fountain, and a sense of calm. Sonam Zangpo, the wellness director of the Ku Nye Spa and Wellness Center, asks me to close my eyes, hold a healing crystal close to my heart, and chant with sincerity, “I am healthy, happy, and positive.” He then lights up a dhuni and a fragrant smoke cleanses my aura, lifting away the negative energies. For the next hour, I am taken through relaxing foot massages, therapeutic oils, hot potlis, and expertly executed massages.
Sonam, who has spent years with the likes of Six Senses, Aman, Raffles and more, tells me the wellness center isn’t just about working on the body but about aligning the mind and spirit too. And that’s exactly how it feels here — a space where ancient Tibetan and Ayurvedic wisdom is shaped into modern-day rituals.
The expansive spa menu caters to all your needs. If you want something indulgent, go for the signature rituals like the Ku Nye Massage that blend Swedish and deep-tissue techniques with crystal healing, sound therapy, and warm herbal bundles, or the Blissful Massage, which encourages the healing power of Kansa tools. You can also opt for authentic Ayurvedic treatments like the Abhyanga, Pinda Sweda, or the lesser-known Udwarthana, a massage with herbal powders that doubles as both exfoliation and a boost for lymphatic circulation. For something quicker yet equally effective, the center also offers 30-minute add-ons — head massages using craniosacral techniques, revitalising foot rituals along meridian lines, or a targeted back massage. And if structured treatments aren’t your calling, you can also meditate by the quiet reservoir or among the ruins of a thousand-year-old fort.
After a day of exploring the rugged trails, chasing sunsets at reservoirs, and bouncing around in jeeps on safari, coming back to the wellness center feels like a much-needed breather. It unravels the stiffness from the outdoor adventures, calms the adrenaline rush, and lets the body reset.
Experiencing the Wild
Sariska Lodge is just 150 metres from the Tehla Gate of Sariska Tiger Reserve—so you can hop into a private jeep and experience the wilderness whenever you like. The evening I arrived, we set out on a private picnic at a nearby reservoir, where I sipped my coffee, gorged on delicious pakodas and enjoyed the best company. The next morning, we hopped on a jeep to look for leopards in the buffer forest – unfortunately, the mighty cats didn’t come out, but a few peacocks gave us the show of their lives, dancing and opening their feathers in all their glory. I couldn’t complain.
Sariska is often spoken of for its wildlife, but what truly caught me off guard was its hidden heritage and culture. A short 20-minute drive from the lodge led me to the Neelkanth Mahadev temple, perched on a secluded hill. The experience was surreal — part spiritual awakening, part encounter with a forgotten past. Scattered across the complex lie the ruins of nearly 200 temples, remnants of a once-glorious era silenced under Aurangzeb’s reign. The carvings, the stories and the history are still there — telling stories of a revered past of the Indian and Jain mythology if you’re willing to stop and look closely.
What stayed with me most about Sariska Lodge isn’t just the wilderness outside or the thoughtful design within — it’s the people. Simple, kind, and deeply rooted in their land, they welcome you with the sort of warmth that makes you feel instantly at home. Here, nature is at its most generous — lush, untamed, and endlessly surprising. And in the middle of it all, this new lodge feels less like a hotel and more like a sanctuary, one where the forest sets the rhythm and every day unfolds in its own time.
If there’s one place to switch off, reconnect, and be reminded of the simple joys of life, it is Sariska Lodge.
(All image credits: Sariska Lodge, Syed Ali Husain)
