CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal : For nearly four decades, Neemrana Hotels has pioneered the art of reviving India’s forgotten architectural treasures, turning historical ruins into revenue-generating heritage ‘non-hotels’. These have breathed new life into 5000 years of India’s past frozen in forgotten ruins. This unique model — conservation through hospitality — has created a new ecosystem of jobs, tourism, and pride in regional identity across the current 18 Neemrana destinations spanning 7 states — now growing to 20 with these two new heritage destinations under the pioneering leadership of Aman Nath, Director and Sonavi Kaicker, CEO, Neemrana Hotels Pvt. Ltd who has played a key role in taking Aman Nath’s visionary work forward since 2010.

Now, in a significant move that marks the power of PPP public-private partnerships to conserve India’s architectural wealth, Neemrana Hotels has joined hands with the Governments of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to restore and revitalize two ruins and create new destinations (under the PPP model). These collaborations are more than hotel projects — they are a shared national vision to preserve and present India’s cultural and architectural inheritance to both the domestic and global travellers.

Neemrana Hotels will bring its signature “non-hotel” experience to:

Baruasagar Fort, in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, and

Raja Rani Mahal, in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh

The restoration work at both properties is now underway, with an official opening expected by 2027 for Baruasagar Fort and 2028 for Raja Rani Mahal.

Relive the history of Baruasagar Fort, Jhansi

Sitting right above the Baruasagar Lake, with commanding views of the surrounding Bundelkhand plains, the sprawling Baruasagar Fort spread across 7 acres is one of Jhansi’s most enduring and significant historic structures. Believed to have been constructed in the 18th century by the Bundela kings, the fort carries layers of historical association, particularly with the era of Rani Lakshmibai. According to several regional accounts and historical references, the fort was a strategic stronghold in the region, offering tactical advantages due to its elevation and proximity to Jhansi — the very land that played a defining role in India’s First War of Independence in 1857.

The architecture of Baruasagar Fort is marked by massive stone ramparts, bastions, and the rugged defensive style characteristic of Bundela architecture. While nature has weathered its stones over time, the structure remains largely intact, providing a strong base for Neemrana’s sensitive (historically accurate restoration) revitalisation.

When completed in 2027, this fort will be re-born as a one-of-a-kind experiential waterside property, allowing guests to stay in rooms that once hosted royals and warriors, overlooking the same landscapes that inspired legends. The first phase of restoration will include 25 guest rooms, a restaurant, a swimming pool, spa and various spaces for cultural activities, giving both Indian and international visitors an immersive journey into Bundelkhand’s lesser-known but powerful historical narrative. The destination will also be launched for intimate destination weddings.

Raja Rani Mahal, Chanderi: Where heritage tourism meets the infamous Chanderi Silk

Further south in Madhya Pradesh, in the timeless warp-and-weft town of Chanderi, Neemrana’s latest project sits like a forgotten jewel waiting to shine again. The Raja Rani Mahal, located in the Inner Town (Andar Sheher) of Chanderi near the historic Musa Bawdi, is a historical palace complex that reflects the legacy of medieval India’s architectural splendour. Built possibly during the 15th century and dating back further to the Khilji dynasty, the intimate palace consists of two architecturally distinct structures for Maharajas and Maharanis — the seven-storey Raja Mahal and the four-storey Rani Mahal — connected by a bridge and a secret passage— a unique design rarely found elsewhere in India.

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