Stay at Chhotaram Prajapat’s Wonderful Homestay

When we were making plans to travel across India we knew we wanted to experience a homestay. We were both a little apprehensive as to what we should expect, we didn’t know how homestays really worked and whether it would be for us! Nevertheless, I read thewanderingquinns review about Chhotaram Prajapat’s Homestay half an hour outside of Jodphur, in a village called Salawas in Rajasthan and we just thought, why the heck not.

Was it for us? Yes! We had the most incredible time staying with Chhotaram and his family and I really hope that if we one day head back to Rajasthan, we will visit them again! All of the initial worry and apprehension was instantly banished and we got to see a side to India that we both really hoped we would see.

We spent two nights at the homestay and honestly could have stayed for so much longer! We got such a wonderfully wholesome insight into Indian village life, we helped prepare dinner, we ate terrific food with the sweetest company and just genuinely had the most relaxing three days!

Chhotaram Prajapat’s Homestay is also known as Salawas Homestay. We were staying in the city of Jodphur prior to our stay so Chhotaram arranged for us to be picked up from the centre. When we arrived we were greeted by Chhotaram and his wife Mamata who tied a red string around both mine and Joshs wrists and painted a Bindi on both of our foreheads.

After being shown to our hut we drank Masala Chai and Chhotaram talked us through the plans for the next few days. There are six huts at the homestay which rather interestingly, are made from mud and cow dung – you can’t tell! The huts have been beautifully decorated, the bed was super comfy, they are warm and cosy with basic en-suite facilities and fans to keep you cool in the evening.

We spent our first afternoon chilling in the sunshine, meeting the other guests as they arrived and hanging out with the children of the family. In the evening we went on a walk through the village with Chhotarams brother and up to the rocks to watch the sunset which was super lovely.

One of my biggest apprehensions was food, I’m not a fussy eater normally but since being ill in Thailand I was so cautious of what I was eating. I had absolutely nothing to worry about though – the food was delicious! We sat in the kitchen with Mamata and helped prepare the food, she is a fiercely good cook! There were six other guests at the homestay with us and it was nice to chat and make dinner together. Safe to say Josh and I don’t have a career in chapatti rolling though. Just so you are aware, all food is vegetarian and there are no eggs. Do not fear, at Chhotaram Prajapat’s homestay, you will certainly not go hungry. Josh ate 2 or 3 servings at almost every meal, such is the generosity of the hosts.

Our second day was dedicated to a Village Safari, which was super interesting – an excellent way to see the surrounding area, visit local businesses and see lots of animals! The tour involved a visit to a Bishnoi Home where we got to witness Opium tea making, a pottery workshop where we *attempted* to form our own pots on the self spun wheel, a textile factory where I seriously could have bought so many things and a block printing workshop where we did cave and buy two pieces of beautifully printed fabric – which we’ve been carrying in our backpacks ever since – one of them is currently serving as an excellent throw for our sofa bed in Hanoi. Now, it wouldn’t be a ‘safari’ without seeing some sort of wildlife, we drove along the dusty roads for quite a while and managed to see Camels, Nilgai, Goats and the local Black Buck.

The homestay experience exceeded every expectation and I was even more impressed to learn about the family trade as Chhotarams family originates from the Durry Weavers in the area. I was fascinated as we watched Chhotaram demonstrate how you go about making an interlocked Durry.

So fascinated in fact, that there is now a gorgeous interlocked Durry sitting in Josh’s bedroom at his parents house, waiting for us to get home and find a place for it to live! There was absolutely no obligation to buy, but when you see how gorgeous these pieces are you’ll see why we did. Chhotaram arranged for the shipping and we’re so glad that one day we will be able to have a piece of Salawas in our home.

We couldn’t have enjoyed this experience more if we tried and we were genuinely so sad to leave. It was such a delightfully relaxing three days where we felt so welcome and so much love. Chhotaram and his family are just the most terrific people, from reading under the neem tree, hanging out with the kids and watching the camels just stroll on in, to cooking up a storm with Mamata and exploring the village the time we spent here was simply terrific and I would wholeheartedly recommend a visit if you too are visiting Jodphur.

We packed up our bags and were welcomed for breakfast and lunch on our final day, Chhotaram said we could stay until we needed to go to the train station and his brothers drove us there in one of the jeeps. Writing this has made me want to visit all over again. Sending all the love to the loveliest family! We hope one day to see you again.

I’m sure you can tell, that we adored the experience. If you too would like to experience an authentic and wholesome Rajasthani home stay then Chhotarams is the place, book through booking.com or on this website. Just to clarify this is in no way an ‘ad’ or sponsored post just somewhere we both absolutely loved and one of the best experiences we’ve had so far on this epic adventure. We’d love it if you got to experience the wonders of Chhotaram Prajapat’s homestay!