Khimsar

Khimsar is a small hamlet, which is located in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Situated on the edge of the Thar Desert, this village encompasses a water body in the centre, making it an oasis in the desert.

The history of Khimsar is linked with the famous Khimsar Fort and dates back to the mid-15th century. The village and the fort have witnessed several battles, evidence of which can be seen on the walls and the parapets of the fort. The village of Khimsar was once an independent entity, which was under the reign of the Thakurs of Khimsar. The fort still serves as the home of the royal family.

The fort was originally designed and utilised for military purposes; however, later more rooms were added to it. The Zanana or the women's section was added in the 18th century. In the year 1940, Thakur Onkar Singh constructed a wing for himself within the fort. However at present, the Khimsar Fort has been converted into an elaborate heritage hotel.

The common languages which are spoken in Khimsar are Rajasthani, Hindi and English. Among the three, Rajasthani language is the most popular and commonly spoken language, which has four dialects. These dialects are Marwari, Jaipuri, Malwi and Mewati.

Nagaur Festival is celebrated every year in Khimsar, between the month of January and February, which is a major attraction for travellers. This festival is a cattle fair, where cattle are traded in bulk. Activities like tug of war, camel and bullock races, folk music and dances are also organised during this festival. Besides, the red chilly market set up during this period is one of the largest chilly markets in entire Asia.

One of the most prominent attractions of Khimsar is the war stricken Khimsar Fort, which has been turned into a beautiful heritage hotel. Apart from this, tourists can visit the Osian village, which encompasses Sachhiyamata Temple and Jain temples. Besides, travellers can also head towards the Sand dunes village, where tourists can indulge in camel safari and can also enjoy beautiful views of the changing colours and patterns of the sand.     

Khimsar is efficiently connected to the rest of India and other parts of the world via airways, railways and roadways. The nearest airport to Khimsar is Jodhpur Airport, which is located at a distance of 98 km from Khimsar. Trains are also available, which are served by the Jodhpur Railway Station, located at a distance of 94.6 km.

Besides, Khimsar can also be reached via road as it is situated on the Jodhpur-Nagaur-Bikaner Highway. Both state transport buses and private buses are available for travellers from different regions to Khimsar. The best time to visit Khimsar is during the winter season, which is from November to February.