The interviews and reporting for this story were conducted in January 2024.

What are the fondest memories you have of your grandparents? For Luv Shekhawat, it is childhood birthdays celebrated in the forests of Jaipur with his paternal grandfather. They would munch on fruits while birdsong provided the music for the day. “Good times,” says Luv reminiscing about them.

Having a grandfather who served as a Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) certainly had its advantages. According to Luv, it not only brought certain perks but also cultivated a growing passion for the outdoors and wildlife.

He recalls the year 2010 when he bought a piece of land in the southern part of the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan’s Alwar, the deja vu was evident.

“At once, I knew that the forest is where I always belonged. It was in my destiny to return.”

Not the rugged terrain of Alwar nor the challenges posed by the proximity to the famous (and controversial, as you’ll see) Sariska Tiger Reserve could hinder Luv’s enthusiasm to bring the area to life. He built a nature retreat that was christened Utsav Camp, a name that borrows from Luv’s paternal grandmother.

Set against the backdrop of the majestic Aravali Hills, the 35,000 sq m retreat built mindfully using local materials, speaks the language of nature. By integrating locally available acacia, terracotta, bamboo, cane, sandstone, and rosewood into its decor and architecture, Luv has infused a unique personality into every element that dots this lodge.

Here, days are simple, time slower, and morning greetings are delivered by the Sun’s gentle rays that seem to creep into

© The Better India