
What would be the one place where you can enjoy camel rides, ‘kathputli’ or puppet shows, view the ‘ghoomar’ dance, and enjoy delicious ‘daal bhati’, ‘malpuas’, ‘sangri’ and ‘sag-gatta’? I’m sure the first answer that comes to mind would be none other than ‘Rajasthan’.
But you couldn’t be further from the truth! All this and more can be experienced at ‘Chokhi Dani’ a Rajasthani theme village located on the outskirts of Pune. A fee of about Rs 300 per head includes entry, a few coupons that can be redeemed for games or rides, and a traditional dinner.
But you couldn’t be further from the truth! All this and more can be experienced at ‘Chokhi Dani’ a Rajasthani theme village located on the outskirts of Pune. A fee of about Rs 300 per head includes entry, a few coupons that can be redeemed for games or rides, and a traditional dinner.


As you enter, you are welcomed with peppy ‘dhol’ music and colourful ‘Kacchi Ghodi’ dancers. A counter with snacks and starters including ‘chaat’, ‘pakodas’, and cool beverages awaits you so you can nibble on something before having fun.
Taking a cursory glance around as I savoured the food on offer, I could see children and adults alike enjoying camel rides, horse rides, and a spin in the ‘bail gaadi’ or ox cart.Some were busy testing their skill at pottery-making.





Nearby was a stall where you could get your names written on a grain of rice. This is then put in a vial of special liquid to preserve the grain and attached to a keychain!

We also got the opportunity to dress up in traditional Rajasthani attire and have our photographs taken to keep them as a souvenir of our memorable trip. Fire dancers were our next stop before heading to the dining hall to sample the sumptuous fare on offer.


One can have as many servings as one wants of any of the mouthwatering dishes served on biodegradable plates made of dried leaves. The stewards were all dressed traditionally complete with colourful turbans.

(Photos by Upendra Nayak & Chandana Nayak Shenoy)