Balaram Palace Resort
Village Chitrasani, off Ahmedabad-Mt Abu
National highway-14, Dist. Banaskantha Bookings:
Jalaram Hotels Pvt. Ltd. Telefax: 079-6578412
North West Safaries Telefax : 079 - 6560962
E-Mail :Sheetal@gnahd.globalnet.ems.vsnl.net.in
Raag Travels Ph. : 079-465545
Status : Operational - 17 rooms, professionally managed.

HERITAGE: Balaram palace was the weekend retreat and hunting resort of the Lohani who ruled from Jalore in South western Rajasthan, and moved to Palanpur after Jalore was annexed to the kingdom of Jodhpur Marwar. The palace was erected in the 1920s and ‘30s during the rule of HH Nawab Saheb Sir Taley Muhamad Khan Lohani, one of the most loved of the Na. The palace has now been taken over by a private entreprenuer, whose family has been in the hospitality business for over 17 years.

THE EXPERIENCE: The palace is a gracious work of neo-classical architecture, with 13 acres of private woodlands and formally landscaped gardens with Mexican lawns, exotic flower beds, modern fountains and well concealed music system . Inside the palace are some beautiful marble galleries, wooden staircases and well appointed public areas. The terrace has breathtaking views of the Arravalli hills, specially during the sunset. The palace has been beautifully restored and renovated.

FACILITIES : *4 gold rooms, 12 platinum rooms and 1 Nawabi suite, all with TV, telephone, refrigerator, attached baths, fireplace and handcrafted furniture. Some rooms have a colonial style with semi circular pillars jutting out of the wall, very English fireplaces and marble faced stone beds. *Reception, FAX, travel assistance, credit card acceptance and money exchange counter. *Fully facilitated conference hall with slide projector, overhead projector, screen, white board, aircon and cloak room (75 persons in theatre format, 30 persons in U-type). *Multi..cuisine aircon restaurant serving North Indian, Continental and Chinese dishes. *Fitness centre. *Nawabi period swimming pool fed by natural rock spring with a modern Toddler’s corner. *Indoor games in the basement.*Riding *Tribal dances. *Meals around logfire in the garden. *Banquets on the terrace. *Card room.*Shopping arcade, health resort, student camp, riding horses and video games parlour proposed. * Traditional welcome of important groups! delegations with live band, garland, tilak, roses etc on request. * 13 acres of private woodlands for walks and gentle treks. *Large gardens for parties and open air seminars.

SIGHTSEEING : *BALARAM AMBAJI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY & JESSORE HILL SANCTUARY: Fine hill forests near the palace are home to Sloth bear, Panther, Blue bull, 4 horned antelope, jackal etc. Excellent area for birdwatching with grey hornbill, grey jungle fowl, flycatchers,drongoes etc. are among the many birds seen.

*BALARAM TEMPLES : A number of temples of religious importance are located along Balaram river. An important religious fair takes place at Balaram annually.

*PALANPUR: Diamond centre, havelis, palaces, kirti stambha, King George clubhouse.

EXCURSIONS: *AMBAJI (45kms): A popular place of Hindu pilgrimage, Ambaji is also well known for it’s marble quaries, marble carving artisans, honey and timber an important centre for marble tiles.

*KUMBHARIAJI(APPX 50 Kms) :Beautiful cluster of five 1034-1162 AD Jain temples with intricate marble carvings rivalling those of Dilwara and Rankapur.

*DHANTIWADA(45 kms) Famous reservior on river Banas, agricultural university, good picnic and winter birdwatching spot.

SIDHAPUR(47kms) :12th century Rudramalya temple with beautiful Torana gates, havelis, Kartika Poornima camel fair. *PATAN(73Kms):llth century stepwell, Patola silk weaving, Jain temples, havelis.

TARANGA(86Kms) : Exquisite carved 12th century Jain temples, with spectacular hilly location.

*VADNAGAR(65Kms) :12th century Toranas, beautifully carved Solanki period gates, lake, Naggar Brahmin havelis, 17th century Hatkeshwar temple.

ACCESS: 167 kms from Abmedabad, 14 kms from Palanpur station, 3 kms off Ahmedabad-Abu National Highway-14. Very convenient stopover between Ahmedabad and the destinations of Rajasthan.