The short answer
Khejarla Fort: what visitors should know first
Go if you want a quiet night in a working family fort in the Marwar countryside rather than a sightseeing stop. It is a hotel first, so check in advance whether day visitors, a meal or a walking tour of the fort can be arranged.
History and context
The story behind Khejarla Fort
The fort is dated to 1611 and is associated with Gopal Das of the Bhati Rajput clan, who held Khejarla as a jagir from the rulers of Jodhpur. The family traces its descent to the royal house of Jaisalmer. The hotel's own account says the fort was destroyed and rebuilt after attacks, but that is a family and local tradition rather than a documented record.
The village name is linked locally to the khejri tree, the desert tree of Marwar. In the twentieth century a member of the family, Thakur Bhairon Singh, served as an MLA for Bilara and later in the Rajasthan government, according to the fort's history page.
Useful facts
Khejarla Fort facts at a glance
- Location
- Khejarla village, Bilara tehsil, Jodhpur district
- Experience type
- Heritage hotel in a family-owned fort
- Known for
- Red sandstone Rajput-Mughal style fort on a small hillock
- Architect/Built
- Built 1611 for Gopal Das of the Bhati clan
- Time or schedule
- Hotel stay; non-guest visits only by arrangement
Why it matters
Why Khejarla Fort is worth your time
Khejarla is a rare case of a Marwar thikana fort that is still lived in by the family it was built for. It was raised in 1611 for Gopal Das of the Bhati clan, who received the Khejarla fief for service to the Jodhpur rulers, and the descendants still run the property. You see how a minor feudal seat worked: the gate courts, the separate women's and men's quarters, and the village that depended on it.
It also offers a different Rajasthan from the big-city forts. There are no crowds and no ticket queue, only a small village, a regional dialect and a family that knows its neighbours. For travellers who have seen the headline forts, that scale is the point.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Gates and courtyards
The Main Pol gateway leads into a sequence of courts that once housed the fort's court and jail, and still show how the fort was organised.
- 02
Zenana and mardana wings
The south block was the women's quarter and the west block the men's, with the dining hall; guest rooms now occupy both.
- 03
Terrace at sunset
The fort's rise gives wide views over fields and village roofs, and the red stone warms in the low light.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Arrive in the afternoon, when the red sandstone warms up and the walk from the Main Pol gateway to the inner courtyards is pleasant rather than punishing. The fort's layout is easy to read: a gateway zone that once held courts and a jail, a south block that was the zenana, a west block that was the mardana with the dining hall, and an east courtyard with reception and the pool. Ask for the hotel's walking tour of the fort's history; it ties the rooms to the family's story.
Go up to a terrace at sunset. From a height of one hillock, the view is a flat farming landscape of fields, scattered khejri trees and the village roofs, which is exactly what the place is about. Dinner in the dining hall in the west block is the natural close to the day.
If you stay two nights, spend the second day on the village walk and a visit to the temple, and keep the afternoon free. The fort is at its best when you do very little in it.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Book directly and ask what is included, since non-guest visits are not guaranteed
- Ask for a room near the dining hall and reception if stairs are a concern
- Arrange a car from Jodhpur in advance; public transport to the village is limited
- Carry cash and medicines, as the village has only basic services
- Ask about the history walk when you arrive
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Khejarla village, Bilara tehsil, Jodhpur district; roughly 80 km by road from Jodhpur
- Time needed
- A night is the natural unit; a walking tour of the fort takes about an hour
- Best time
- October to March; early morning and late afternoon for the courtyards and terraces
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- The fort stands on a small hillock, so the approach and the gateways involve gradients and old stone surfaces. The guest wings are split across a zenana block, a mardana block and a main courtyard; ask for a room close to reception and the dining hall, and confirm lift or ground-floor options before booking.
- Tickets and access
- There is no published ticket for walking in. The fort functions as a private hotel with the family in residence, so non-guest visits, meals and fort tours are by arrangement. Contact the hotel through its official website before you travel.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Khejarla Fort
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The fort stands on a small hillock, so the approach and the gateways involve gradients and old stone surfaces. The guest wings are split across a zenana block, a mardana block and a main courtyard; ask for a room close to reception and the dining hall, and confirm lift or ground-floor options before booking.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Can I visit Khejarla Fort without staying?
The fort is a private family property run as a hotel. Day visits, meals or tours are by arrangement, so ask the hotel through its official site before you go.
Is the fort suitable for older travellers?
With planning, yes. The setting is calm, but the gateways and wings involve uneven stone and some steps. Request a room close to the dining hall and ask about lift or ground-floor options.
How far is Khejarla Fort from Jodhpur?
Roughly 80 km by road, around an hour and a half to two hours. Ask the hotel for the best route and for a car transfer.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.