Views & Interviews

Q&A: Talking to Minu Rathor, theatre personality, actor and danseuse

March 2011

When her daughter was in school, Minu Rathor's theatre workshop was a popular destination for young theatre aficionados – all her play rehearsals were done at home. In addition to playing guiding hand on stage, Minu herself is an established character actor and has also acted in movies – her favorite being Mani Rathnam’s Bombay.

In this interview, we talk to Minu about a timeshare vacation she went on recently in Rajasthan. Minu and her husband stayed at the Club Mahindra Resort in Kumbhalgarh.

Q: How did you decide on Kumbhalgarh for your holiday?

A:My husband and I wanted to connect with a little bit of history – especially the land of his forefathers. We had heard so much about Kumbhalgarh from our friends that we wanted to experience the magic first-hand.

We took a flight from Delhi to Udaipur and then took the road to Kumbhalgarh  – a 90 km drive that took a little under two hours. It’s a pretty scenic drive, with the rugged terrain of Rajasthan providing a backdrop to the cultural panorama of the region.

Q: What makes Kumbhalgarh  a great holiday destination?

A:Kumbalgarh goes back a long way to the time of the Mauryan Empire. The region derives its name from the legendary Kumbalgarh Fort, the most magnificent of the 84 forts linked to the architectural grandeur of the period.

This fort is housed within the second longest wall in the world, after the Great Wall of China. The 37 km wall encloses three palaces and over 300 temples - magnificent pieces of architecture and a standing testimony to Mewar heritage and culture.

If you can manage the time, there’s lots to see around the place. In addition to the Kumbhalgarh Fort you have the Chittorgarh Fort, Haldighati Museum, Nathdwara Temple,  Ranakpur Jain Temple and Parashuram Mahadev Temple. You could also visit the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. It will be nice if you can plan a day trip to Udaipur - the city of lakes.

Q: Tell us a little bit about the resort you stayed at…

A: We stayed at the Club Mahindra Fort Kumbhalgarh resort. The resort is set up at different levels, amidst thick tree foliage. A well designed, spacious drive way leads into a well lit and intricately designed Rajputana style lobby - the styling here is set in the architectural pattern of the surrounding areas.

We were greeted by a gracious lady with a welcome drink. The check-in and registration was done quickly and we were escorted to our room.  What’s comforting to know is that there’s room service round the clock and the housekeeping staff is well attired, smart and helpful.

The resort has all facilities you could wish for, or dream about - a holiday activity center, a heavenly spa and beauty salon, an outdoor gazebo kitchen and a multi specialty restaurant. We witnessed an interesting presentation of cuisines, including typical fare from Rajasthan. Interestingly, the menu changed every day.

Q: What about the room you stayed in?

A:  Our room was large and spacious – sparkling clean and well maintained. We had a large living room, dining area and kitchen with all the necessary gadgets and appliances for those who want to cook. I just didn’t bother with the cooking, because the restaurant provided excellent value packs and large spreads for breakfast and lunch. They also had “tailormade” meals for specific requirements.

The interiors here are elegant and tastefully done – and there’s a theme that they have worked around that blends well with the overall visual concept.

Q: Any information on how to get there?

A: If you’re coming by train, you would need to book your tickets to Udaipur, which is 80 km from Kumbhalgarh. Udaipur airport is also the nearest transit point if you’re flying down. The resort does arrange to pick you up from the airport or railway station.