The Forest Salve

AT THIS NEW LODGE IN SARISKA, THE FOREST BECOMES YOUR HOME.

- By Neha Mehrotra

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.