Cities in India

Khimsar

Languages : Hindi and English
Best time to visit : October to March
STD Code : 01585

A FORT IN MARWAR Perched on the edge on the great Thar Desert in the heart of rural India, the unique fort at Khimsar offers a wide range of experiences. The battle-scarred walls and turrets remind one of the glorious past of this place.

Khimsar is a small village situated around 92 km on the highway from Jodhpur to Bikaner in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan. The village of Khimsar provides an excellent starting point to explore the district of Nagaur, which lies midway between Jodhpur and Bikaner. There are good road connections from Khimsar to other important tourist destinations in the region including Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Nagaur. CLIMATE Khimsar has an extreme climate with hot summers and cold winters. Temperatures during the summer months range between 42.2°C and 27.3°C, and between 27.5°C and 9.5°C during winters.

Places of Interest
The fort architecture of Khimsar offers great heterogeneity. Originally, the fort walls, turrets, and stables were built solely for war, and were constructed around the beginning of the 16th century. Subsequently, by mid 18th century, the royal family moved in when a new zenana or ladies' residence was constructed. Finely carved windows in stone were constructed in this section for providing purdah or veil for the ladies in waiting. Thakur Onkar Singh, the present chief and the 17th direct descendant of Rao Karamsi (the original builder of the fort) built himself a regal additional wing in the 1940's. Today, this fort ranks amongst the premier Heritage Hotels of India.

SITES NEARBY
Jodhpur is the largest city in the entire Marwar region and one of the most famous tourist destinations in Rajasthan. Major tourist attractions in the city include the Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mahendragarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, and Mandore Gardens.

Osian is a small place situated around 27 km off Khimsar and known for its sixteen ruined Jain and Hindu temples. These temples date back to the eighth and eleventh centuries. The most important temples are the Sachhiyamata Temple and the Jain Temples. While the Hindu temples are in a dilapidated condition, the Jain temples are well preserved.

Nagaur is around 43 km away from Khimsar and famous for its cattle fair. Thousands of people bring camels, bullocks, and horses for sale. Camel races and other sporting events are organized at this fair.

WHERE TO STAY
Hotels are available in Khimsar for accommodation though on the higher side of the cost chart. The heritage hotels here are an experience in themselves and provide good value for money.

HOW TO REACH
By Air
The nearest airport from Khimsar is Jodhpur, around 92 km away. Indian Airlines connects Jodhpur with Delhi, Jaipur, and Mumbai through regular flights. The airport is located around 6 km off the city center.

By Rail
The nearest railhead is Jodhpur on the Western Railway broad-gauge network. Jodhpur is linked to various centers in the region by express and passenger trains. New Delhi, Agra, Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Udaipur, and Ahmedabad are some of the important cities that are linked with Jodhpur through rail.

By Road
Khimsar is situated around 92 km on the Jodhpur-Nagaur-Bikaner Highway. State transport corporation buses and private buses connect Khimsar with other centers in the region. Local Transport Buses, taxis, and jeeps are available on hire to enable tourists to visit the places around Khimsar.