About Ramathra Fort
Sanctuaries & Philosophy
The Reborn of Ancients
Ramathra Fort is a 17th-century fortress situated between two of India’s internationally renowned wildlife reserves—Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur and Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in Sawai Madhopur, nestled right in the heart of Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary.
Ramathra was granted as a jagir (fiefdom) to Rajput nobleman Thakur Bhoj Pal by his father, the Maharaja of Karauli. The name honours Lord Rama, who is believed to have camped here during his epic journey to Lanka.
Having remained an ancestral home to the founder’s descendants for over ten generations, today it is lovingly cared for by Thakur Brijendra Raj Pal and his family, with his son Ravi Raj Pal and daughter-in-law Gitanjali serving as your gracious hosts.
The Host
Ravi Raj Pal is an 11th generation descendant of the founder. He is a wildlife enthusiast & enjoys accompanying his guests on excursions & activities and Ravi ‘Knows’ Rajasthan. He has spent his youth travelling to every corner of the state making him a wealth of information on the history, geography & traditional culture of this region & its neighboring states.
Gitanjali Rajpal is a gracious hostess who is well versed in the craft of hospitality, an experience she gained while working at one of India’s premier hotel chains, the ITC Welcomgroup. She has also held exhibitions of furnishings, clothing and jewellery in various major Indian cities. Her eye for detail is what has led Ramathra Fort to where it is today.
Their son Uditchandra Pal is the one to talk to when it’s about the wilderness and its conservation around the fort. He is a conservation photographer, who shows guests the wild heritage and the one of his family. To keep the idea of coexistence alive is his main goal.
Sustainability
The journey began with our initiative to protect and convert 150 acres of private/community land into a safe haven for wildlife. By employing locals and offering them alternative livelihoods such as wildlife guiding, driving safari vehicles, teaching rowing at the lake, guiding birdwatching and rural tours for visitors at Ramathra Fort, we enabled them to engage in sustainable practices without the need to migrate for work. This approach allowed families to stay close to home, preserving their traditional way of life.
After more than 20 years of conservation, we now have a thriving ecosystem around Ramathra Fort where humans and wildlife coexist harmoniously. To our amazement we now sequester three times the amount of carbon we emit in one year which you can see by clicking on the link to our Carbon balance sheet. In an era of climate emergency, creating innovative, sustainable livelihoods in remote areas is vital for the survival of our planet’s last wild spaces.
Through our conservation campaigns, visitors could directly support the preservation of both wildlife and local heritage. I set out to document and study every animal in our small sanctuary. Over the past four years, I’ve encountered an incredible diversity of wildlife—tigers, leopards, hyenas, wolves, caracals and more—who have made this land their territory, often without conflict with local residents - Uditchandra Pal
Eco Policy
The Fort is 350 years old & has been restored using local materials & local artisans and workmen. Ensuring they are in line with the traditional style.
The Fort is on a hill which had suffered deforestation in all the past years, we have reforested the hill & all the recycled water of the fort is used for that, the forest is now back with trees & we have Blue bulls & animals coming back to live on the hill which has happened in the last few years
We Grow, Buy & Use only Organic vegetables, all our meats are fresh & are bought on the same day they are cooked, we have a farm below the hill where we grow our vegetables organically & all other food stuff is sourced locally.
Our staffs are 100% local including our guides/Boatman & are like a family. They do not speak very fluent English but are proud to show you around
Village walk – Ramathra is very remote & totally untouched by urban city life you would not see anybody begging or pestering you for anything & we would like to keep it that way. Guests are requested not to give out any gifts or money to anybody in the village, but make a contribution at the Fort towards the school..
