INDIA

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an eccentric royal, Wankaner Palace, India

Wankaner Palace Hotel Gujerat, India

High on a ridge in the drylands of western Gujerat in countryside 'flatter than Kansas but one hundred times more colourful’ is Ranjit Vilas palace, a royal Indian-frolic. Built in the early 1900's by the then Mahrajah it is a tribute to his eccentric eclectic style. It is also fun!
It remains the home of the eighty-two year old Maharajah and his son. They are gracious hosts who delight in conversing with their guests over dinner; of taking them to visit their renowned Kathiawad horses; or touring the family treasures in the dungeon.The grandfather of the present Maharajah built six palaces and, unusually, named not one after himself. Ranjit Vilas celebrates Ranjit Singh the renowned Victorian cricketer who was a great family friend. All members of the family have, until more recent times, been keen hunters so the palace walls and floors are lined with trophies from several continents. Both father and son are Oxbridge graduates and until recently the son, Digvijay Singh, was Minister for the Environment.
The group are seen walking through the entrance gates after paying a visit to the family's collection of vintage Rolls Royce cars.

Next month:   a very grand royal

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Joining our textile and craft tour later this year
allows you to visit this family
....and to experience a lot of other palace hotels!

the 'Warp and Weft of India' Oct - Nov 2000.

There are limited spaces for 2000 but we shall run it again in 2002.
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revision 18 Mar 2001
http://www.greenkiwi.co.nz/footprints/photo/ph0006.htm