Luni fort is a magnificent monument of Rajasthan, situated near Jodhpur. The fort is an impressive sandstone structure and presently serves as one of the most admired and exotic heritage hotels of Jodhpur which is also known as `Heritage Hotel Fort Chanwa`. In the year 1992, owing to a wave of successful restorations to heritage properties, this fort was renovated into a heritage hotel through which it regained its pristine glory and charm. It greatly serves the high traffic of tourists in the state and helps to promote the tourism of the state. The majestic fort offers an exquisite experience of traditional aura and modern amenities.
History of Luni Fort
The erstwhile ruler of Jodhpur, Marwar, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, ruled over the region from 1876-1895 A.D. He is memorised as a benevolent monarch who presented his territory with a period of sustained development affluent with security and justice and drove the administration away form chaos and instability. There was a young Charan amongst his prominent civil servants namely Kaviraj Muraridanji who was also an adept politician and visionary administrator. Kaviraj Muraridanji in the year 1894 received the little known hamlet of Chanwa in Jagir. Over this land he constructed a beautiful fortified palace. The village of Chanwa in 1941 became "Khalsa" after Kaviraj Muraridanji became a victim of his self introduced law according to which feudal estates without a male successor or lacking a recognized adoption in the life time of the ruler would be included in the state after his death. Thus in 1948 Chanwa was granted to the youngest son of Maharaja Umaid Singh known as Maharaj Dalip Singh in Jagir. Afterwards, over the years the fort underwent damage and decay owing to neglect. It was renovated in 1994 as a heritage hotel to serve the tourist and travellers.
Luni Fort as Heritage Hotel
The fort encloses a royal ambience which is adorned by maze of stairways, mystic rooms, corridors, passages, beautiful towers and rooftops. The elaborate latticework on the hanging casements all around the fort forms the most attractive feature of the fort. The rooms and suits inside the fort are elegantly adorned with period furniture and showcase a fine blend of traditional and modern heritage of Rajasthan. The hospitability of the place is even more inviting as the owners of the fort Maharaj Dalip Singh and Rani Madhu Devi welcomes the visitors hailing from distant lands warmly to explore the enchanting heritage of Luni fort.
