Jaipur: Chokhi Dhani village tour with Rajasthani dinner

What Chokhi Dhani is, honestly

A constructed Rajasthani village on twenty acres south of Jaipur, built in 1990, where the whole of the state's folk culture is performed every evening in one place. It is unashamedly a made thing — and it is also the only practical way to see Kalbeliya dancers, Bhopa storytellers and Terah Taali performers in one night rather than over a week of travel.

Indian families come here in enormous numbers, which is part of why it works.

The performances

Ghoomar, the Rajput women's circle dance with the skirts that flare on the turn. Kalbeliya, danced by the snake-charmer community, all shoulder and spine, listed by UNESCO as intangible heritage. Bhopa-Bhopi, husband-and-wife narrative singers performing epics in front of a painted scroll.

Plus puppet shows, acrobats, magicians and fire performers as the evening builds.

Everything else

Camel, horse and bullock-cart rides. Mehendi artists who will paint your hands in ten minutes — insist on natural brown henna and refuse anything sold as "black henna", which contains PPD and burns skin.

Potters, palm readers, archery, a boating lake and stalls of Rajasthani craft. Nothing is scheduled for you; you wander.

The dinner

A full Rajasthani thali served traditionally: you sit on a mat, eat off a brass plate, and servers keep refilling until you stop them. Dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi, ker sangri, bajra roti with ghee, buttermilk and gur.

Vegetarian throughout, and unlimited.

Two options

The village evening with dinner and transport; or a private gypsy leopard safari at Jhalana instead, which is an entirely different product on the same listing — read carefully before booking.

Practical

Around three hours plus transfers. Busiest at weekends and through the winter wedding season.

The ground is sand and stone and you will walk more than you expect. Comfortable shoes.