Khejarla Fort is one of Marwar’s quieter heritage stops, a red-sandstone Rajput stronghold in the open farmland east of Jodhpur. It rarely features on a first Rajasthan itinerary, which is part of its appeal: you get carved balconies, jali screens and a working village at its gate without the crowds of the bigger forts. This guide covers the fort’s history, architecture, the rural Marwar experience around it, how to reach it, and where it fits on a Jodhpur-region trip.
Khejarla Fort is a red-sandstone Rajput fort in Khejarla village, Bilara tehsil, Jodhpur district, Rajasthan, about 80 km east of Jodhpur. Built in the early 17th century, it is now run as the Fort Khejarla heritage hotel, known for carved jharokhas (overhanging balconies), jali (lattice) screens and a rural Marwar-village setting.
Key takeaways
- Khejarla Fort sits in Khejarla village, Bilara tehsil, Jodhpur district, roughly 80 km east of Jodhpur city (distance indicative; reconfirm — as of October 2026).
- According to the property’s own history, the fort was built in early 1611 for Thakur Gopal Das, and the Khejarla family traces its descent to the Bhati house of Jaisalmer, not to the local Rathore line.
- The fort now operates as the Fort Khejarla heritage hotel; part of it is still the royal family’s residence, so access is as a day visitor or overnight guest rather than a ticketed monument (reconfirm directly — as of October 2026).
- Best season is October to March, when daytime heat in the Marwar plains is manageable; avoid April to June.
- The draw is the carved red-sandstone architecture plus village experiences: folk music, camel and jeep rides, and walks through Khejarla village.
- Nearest full-service railhead and airport are both at Jodhpur; the fort lies off the Jodhpur–Jaipur road near Bilara.
About Khejarla Fort
Khejarla Fort is a 17th-century Rajput fort turned heritage hotel in Khejarla village, in the Bilara tehsil of Jodhpur district, Rajasthan. It stands on a low granite rise in flat Marwar farmland, roughly 80 km east of Jodhpur city. The surrounding village had a population of about 7,472 at the 2011 Census, according to Census of India records, and remains a working agricultural settlement.
Do not confuse it with the many hilltop forts inside Jodhpur city; Khejarla is a rural thikana (feudal estate) fort, smaller and more intimate. Its defining features are red-sandstone walls, carved jharokhas and a village at its doorstep. The table below gathers the basics in one place.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Khejarla village, Bilara tehsil, Jodhpur district, Rajasthan |
| Distance from Jodhpur | About 80 km east (sources vary 79–85 km) |
| Built | Early 1611 A.D., per the property’s history |
| Material | Jodhpuri red sandstone on a granite rise |
| Current use | Fort Khejarla heritage hotel; part is the family’s residence |
| Nearest airport / main railhead | Jodhpur |
| Best season | October–March |
History: a Bhati thikana in Rathore Marwar
According to Fort Khejarla’s own published history, the fort was built in early 1611 A.D. for Thakur Gopal Das, who was granted the jagir (fief) of Khejarla and neighbouring villages for his service in war against the Mughals, in the service of the Maharaja of Jodhpur. The same account states that the Khejarla family descended from the royal house of Jaisalmer, which makes them Bhati Rajputs rather than members of the Rathore clan that ruled Marwar from Jodhpur.
This is a useful distinction to get right. Jodhpur (Marwar) was a Rathore kingdom, and Khejarla was one of its leading thikanas, so the estate sat under Rathore overlordship. The holding family itself, though, traces its line to Jaisalmer. The property describes the Thakurs of Khejarla as among the eight principal feudal lords of the Maharaja of Jodhpur. Wikipedia likewise records the fort as built in 1611 by Gopal Das and today operated as a hotel, maintained by Thakur Dileep Singh.
The property’s history adds that the Mughal army attacked the fort three times and that it was rebuilt after each assault. It also notes a 20th-century descendant, Thakur Bhairon Singh, who served as an MLA from Bilara in the 1950s and later as a Rajasthan minister. These details come from the family’s own account and are presented here as such.
Architecture and the jharokhas
Khejarla Fort is a compact example of Rajput architecture in Jodhpuri red sandstone, the same warm stone used across Marwar. Wikipedia records the fort as made of red sandstone and covering roughly three acres. Travel listings for the property describe carved jharokhas (overhanging stone balconies), jali lattice screens and open courtyards, the standard vocabulary of a Rajasthani fort-palace.
The layout, as the property sets it out, falls into four parts. The entrance runs through the Main Pol (gate) and Suraj Pol, the historic court and gatehouse area. The Zenana Mahal, the former women’s quarters, holds about 19 rooms and suites over two floors around a courtyard and terrace. The Mardana Mahal, the men’s quarters, holds about 21 rooms and suites with a dining hall and garden. A third courtyard block holds the reception, pool and service areas. The room figures and sections below are from the property.
| Section | What it was / holds |
|---|---|
| Main Pol and Suraj Pol | Historic gateways; former court, gatehouse and carriage area |
| Zenana Mahal (south block) | Former women’s quarters; about 19 rooms and suites, courtyard, terrace |
| Mardana Mahal (west block) | Former men’s quarters; about 21 rooms and suites, dining hall, garden |
| Main courtyard (east block) | Reception, swimming pool, spa and shops |
Spend time on the detail rather than the scale: the jali screens that filter the harsh Marwar light, the bracketed jharokhas on the facade, and the fine stone carving around the courtyards. These are the elements worth photographing in soft morning or late-afternoon light.
The rural Marwar-village experience
The experience at Khejarla is as much about the village as the fort. Khejarla is a working farming settlement, and the main reason travellers come here is to pair the heritage building with ordinary rural Marwar life, something the cityscapes of Jodhpur do not offer. The fort stands at the edge of the village, so a short walk takes you from carved courtyards to fields, wells and homes.
Listings for the property describe guest activities such as folk music and dance evenings, camel rides, jeep and horse safaris, bicycle rides and guided village walks. Treat these as experiences the hotel arranges; confirm what is available and at what cost when you book, as of October 2026. Throughout, remember the house rule: villagers are hosts and neighbours, not an attraction to be photographed without consent.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Khejarla Fort is October to March, the cool, dry window across the Marwar plains. Rajasthan’s desert interior runs very hot from April to June, when daytime temperatures regularly climb into the 40s Celsius, so those months are hard going for sightseeing and village walks. The short monsoon (July–September) brings some relief and greener fields but can be humid.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (best) | Oct–Mar | Cool, dry days; comfortable for the fort and village; book ahead in peak Dec–Jan |
| Summer | Apr–Jun | Very hot and dry; sightseeing difficult in the afternoons |
| Monsoon | Jul–Sep | Occasional rain, humidity, greener landscape; fewer visitors |
How to reach Khejarla Fort
Reach Khejarla Fort by road from Jodhpur, about 80 km east, off the Jodhpur–Jaipur road near the town of Bilara. There is no station or airport in the village itself, so plan the last leg by taxi or your own vehicle. The distance figures below are indicative planning estimates drawn from travel listings and should be reconfirmed, as of October 2026.
Jodhpur is the practical gateway in every mode: it has the region’s main airport and its largest railway junction, and most visitors reach Khejarla as a side trip from the city. For planning the wider trip, see our Jodhpur travel guide.
- By air: Jodhpur Airport is the nearest airport, roughly 75–80 km from Khejarla. From the airport, hire a taxi or arrange a pickup through your hotel.
- By rail: Jodhpur Junction is the nearest full-service railhead (about 80 km). Smaller stations such as Pipar Road (on the Jodhpur line) and Bilara lie closer but have far fewer services; most travellers still use Jodhpur and drive out.
- By road: The fort sits near Bilara on the Jodhpur–Jaipur corridor. A taxi from Jodhpur takes roughly 1.5 hours depending on traffic and road works.
| From | Approx. distance | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Jodhpur city / Junction | ~80 km | Road (about 1.5 hrs by taxi) |
| Jodhpur Airport | ~75–80 km | Road |
| Bilara | Short hop (nearest town) | Road |
| Osian | ~100 km (north-west of Jodhpur) | Road, via Jodhpur |
Things to see and do
The main thing to do at Khejarla is to explore the fort’s courtyards and carved facades and then step out into the village. Because the fort is a hotel, sightseeing is informal and arranged around the property; there is no fixed monument circuit. The table lists what is worth your time and roughly how long to allow.
| Experience | Why go | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Fort courtyards and jharokhas | Carved red-sandstone architecture, jali screens, photogenic in soft light | 1–2 hours |
| Village walk | Working Marwar farming village at the fort’s gate | 1–2 hours |
| Folk music and dance evening | Marwari performance, usually arranged by the hotel | 1 hour |
| Camel or jeep ride | Short rides through fields and lanes around the village | 1–2 hours |
Khejarla works best as a slow stop. If you only have a few hours, prioritise the courtyards at sunrise and a short village walk; if you stay the night, add an evening performance and a morning ride.
A suggested short itinerary
A single overnight is enough to enjoy Khejarla without rushing. The outline below assumes you base in Jodhpur and treat Khejarla as a relaxed one-night detour.
- Day 1 (afternoon): Drive out from Jodhpur after lunch; check in, settle, and walk the courtyards in the late-afternoon light. Evening folk performance and dinner at the fort.
- Day 2 (morning): Early village walk or short camel/jeep ride while it is cool; breakfast; photograph the jharokhas in morning light; drive back to Jodhpur or continue towards Osian or Rohet.
If you prefer a day trip, leave Jodhpur early, spend late morning and lunch at the fort, and return by evening. For a longer Marwar loop, combine Khejarla with Rohet and Osian.
Where to stay
The main place to stay at Khejarla is Fort Khejarla itself, the heritage hotel inside the fort. Part of the building remains the royal family’s residence, and the rest offers rooms across the former zenana and mardana wings, around 40 rooms and suites in total per the property. There are no large hotel chains in the village, so if you want to stay on site, this is effectively the option; book ahead for the Oct–Jan peak.
If you prefer more choice, base in Jodhpur, which ranges from budget guesthouses to heritage havelis and palace hotels, and visit Khejarla as a day or overnight trip. Rohet, on the way, also has well-known heritage stays. The price bands below are indicative planning estimates for a double room per night, as of October 2026, and should be confirmed at the time of booking.
| Category | Where | Indicative band / night |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Jodhpur guesthouses | ₹1,000–₹2,500 |
| Mid-range | Jodhpur / Rohet heritage stays | ₹3,000–₹7,000 |
| Heritage / luxury | Fort Khejarla; Jodhpur palace hotels | ₹7,000 and up |
Food to try
Food here is classic Marwari-Rajasthani cooking, built for a dry land and best sampled at the fort or in Jodhpur. At the hotel you will typically be served a vegetarian-leaning spread; local staples are worth seeking out wherever you eat.
- Dal baati churma (baked wheat dough balls with lentils and a sweet crushed-wheat mix) — the signature Marwari plate.
- Gatte ki sabzi (gram-flour dumplings in a spiced yoghurt gravy) — a desert-region staple where fresh vegetables were scarce.
- Ker sangri (a dry dish of desert berries and beans) — distinctly Marwari, foraged from arid scrub.
- Mirchi bada and mawa kachori (a chilli fritter and a rich sweet pastry) — Jodhpur street-food classics for the city leg of the trip.
Budget breakdown
A one-night Khejarla trip from Jodhpur is modest if you keep stays mid-range. The per-person estimate below assumes two people sharing, one night at Khejarla or nearby, a return taxi from Jodhpur, and meals; it excludes long-distance travel to Jodhpur. All figures are indicative planning estimates, as of October 2026, and should be reconfirmed.
| Item | Indicative cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (share of double) | ₹2,000–₹4,000 | Mid-range to heritage band |
| Return taxi from Jodhpur (share) | ₹1,000–₹1,750 | ~160 km round trip, split two ways |
| Meals | ₹600–₹1,200 | Lunch, dinner, breakfast |
| Activities (ride/performance) | ₹0–₹1,000 | Some included with stay; confirm |
| Approx. total / person | ₹3,600–₹7,950 | One night, excluding travel to Jodhpur |
Access, entry and rules
Khejarla Fort is a private heritage hotel, not a ticketed government monument, so there is no standard entry fee published by the Archaeological Survey of India or Rajasthan Tourism. In practice you visit either as an overnight guest or, by arrangement, as a day visitor; casual walk-in access to the interiors is not guaranteed. Contact the property to confirm day-visit terms and any charge before you travel, as of October 2026.
No special permit (ILP, PAP or RAP) applies to Khejarla or the Jodhpur region; it is open to Indian and foreign travellers alike. Normal courtesies apply: dress modestly in the village, ask before photographing people, and follow Rajasthan’s plastic rules. Drone use over private property and populated areas is restricted under national rules, so seek permission from the property and check current DGCA regulations before flying.
Practical tips
Treat Khejarla as a rural stop and plan for thin infrastructure. The village is small, so handle money, fuel and any supplies in Jodhpur or Bilara before you arrive.
- Cash and payments: Carry some cash. Mobile network and UPI usually work but can be patchy in the village; do not rely on them for everything.
- Health: For anything serious, Jodhpur has the region’s main hospitals; Bilara has basic facilities closer by. Carry your own first-aid and regular medicines.
- Heat and water: In the shoulder months it is still hot by midday. Carry water, a hat and sunscreen, and keep walks to mornings and evenings.
- Solo women travellers: The region is generally calm; standard precautions apply. Staying at the fort itself keeps logistics simple and avoids late road travel.
- Packing by season: Light cottons plus a warm layer for Oct–Feb nights, which get cool in the desert; strong sun protection for any daytime months.
Nearby places
Khejarla pairs naturally with Jodhpur and a couple of other Marwar stops, letting you build a two- or three-day loop rather than a single out-and-back. The table lists the obvious combinations.
| Place | Approx. distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Jodhpur | ~80 km | Mehrangarh Fort, the old blue city, the regional gateway |
| Bilara | Nearest town | Market town and local railhead on the way in |
| Osian | ~100 km (via Jodhpur) | Ancient Hindu and Jain temples in the desert |
| Rohet | Between Jodhpur and Khejarla | Heritage stays and rural Bishnoi-village excursions |
For the city anchor of any of these routes, our Jodhpur travel guide covers Mehrangarh, the old city and transport in detail.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Khejarla Fort?
Khejarla Fort is in Khejarla village, Bilara tehsil, Jodhpur district, Rajasthan, about 80 km east of Jodhpur city off the Jodhpur–Jaipur road near Bilara. It stands on a low granite rise in open Marwar farmland. The nearest airport and main railway junction are both at Jodhpur, and the last leg is by road.
Can you visit Khejarla Fort without staying there?
You can sometimes visit Khejarla Fort as a day visitor, but it is a private heritage hotel rather than a ticketed monument, so interior access is not guaranteed for walk-ins. Contact the property, Fort Khejarla, in advance to confirm day-visit terms and any charge. Staying overnight is the surest way to see the courtyards and jharokhas.
Who built Khejarla Fort and which clan owns it?
According to the property’s own history, Khejarla Fort was built in early 1611 for Thakur Gopal Das, and the Khejarla family descends from the Bhati royal house of Jaisalmer. The estate was a leading thikana under the Rathore Maharajas of Jodhpur. The family still maintains the fort, with part kept as their residence.
What is the best time to visit Khejarla Fort?
The best time to visit Khejarla Fort is October to March, when the Marwar plains are cool and dry and comfortable for the fort and village walks. Avoid April to June, when daytime heat often reaches the 40s Celsius. The July–September monsoon is humid but greener and quieter, with occasional rain.
How do you reach Khejarla Fort from Jodhpur?
Reach Khejarla Fort by road from Jodhpur, about 80 km east and roughly 1.5 hours by taxi, off the Jodhpur–Jaipur road near Bilara. Jodhpur has the nearest airport and main railway junction; smaller stations such as Pipar Road and Bilara lie closer but run few services, so most visitors drive out from Jodhpur.
What is there to do at Khejarla besides the fort?
Beyond the fort’s courtyards and carved jharokhas, Khejarla’s draw is rural Marwar village life: guided village walks, folk music and dance evenings, and camel or jeep rides through the fields, usually arranged by the hotel. Confirm what is available and at what cost when you book, as of October 2026.
Last updated and sources
Khejarla suits travellers who want carved Rajput architecture paired with quiet rural Marwar, best as a one-night detour from Jodhpur between October and March. Go for the village setting as much as the fort itself.
Last updated: 23 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Wikipedia: Khejarla (village, fort date, red sandstone, hotel status); Fort Khejarla — property history (1611 founding, Gopal Das, Bhati/Jaisalmer descent, fort sections and room counts); MakeMyTrip: Khejarla Fort and Ursula’s Weekly Wanders: Fort Khejarla (architecture, village experiences, distance); Wikipedia: Bilara and Wikipedia: Bilara railway station (road and rail context). Accessed September 2026.
