Chokhi Dhani is an 18-acre ethnic village and resort located near Jaipur, Rajasthan that aims to provide tourists an authentic experience of rural Rajasthani culture. It includes over 30 zones replicating villages, craftspeople, performances, restaurants, and accommodations. Some key areas include the Chokhi Dhani village with huts, shops, performances and dining areas; an artisan village with craftspeople; and the Chokhi Dhani resort with rooms, restaurants and amenities while retaining a rural feel. The detailed site planning aims to immerse visitors in Rajasthani culture through authentic recreations of village life.

1. Chokhi dhani is“A placid complex begetting a panoramic countryside view.”
In the magical land of Rajasthan where the heat shimmers
like phantom water , where the things one sees are not really there and where the
things that vanish behind veils of illusion, stands Chokhi Dhani, an ethnic village
and resort with a blend of rustic environment and modern amenities making it an
important destinationin Pink city.
INTRODUCTION
GENERAL INFORMATION
Designer:Prof. Chinmay Mehta,
Total area:18 Acres
Cost:1.30 crores (approx.)
Year of completion:Phase I 1992Phase II 1995
The site is on the outskirts of Jaipur, located on Jaipur-
Tonk highway, 6 kms from the airport and 18 kms. from the city centre.
LOCATION
Site covers an area of 18 acres, of which a five acre land is
earmarked for future projects. It has been divided into two parts: the first is
meant for a resort (for the tourists stay) while the other caters to the needs of
day-today visitors (i.e.)choki dhani village
SITE
DESIGN APPORCH
Prof. Chinmay Mehta, an artist-designer .He made 3-
Dsketches in lieu of architectural drawings, plans, etc. to visualize the idea.
SITE
• Chokhi Dhani Resort literally meaning the "Fine Hamlet"
• Chokhi dhani’s concept is to join the Rajasthani tribes from the world.
• Tourists are very much aware of Rajasthan and its culture, but still they are far-far
away from its roots.
• This mainly focuses to reveal the real Rajasthan like the paintings..., Art bani thani...,
The wall decorations..., The cow dung plaster..., The pure food..., The fresh air..., The
evening performances, the enthusiasm, the 'manuhar' (mouthful catering), the
traditions, the costumes etc…
• Thus, preserving and encouraging the village art and culture, to get today's generation
closer to their past, to change the philosophy of world about Indian village culture.
THE CONCEPT
CHOKI DHANI VILLAGE
CHOKI DHANI RESORT
SITE PLAN
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ZONING OF CHOKI DHANI VILLAGE:
1. Entrance Gate
2. Guard Room
3. Panwari Hut
4. Office Hut
5. Welcome Beat (Nagara)
6. Sangri Restaurant
7. Chaupar Restaurant
8. Soft Drink Counter (Jaljeera)
9. Rabbit Cage &Bird Cage
10. Jaisalmer Ki Dhani
11. Rath Khana
12. Resting kiosks
13. Kalbeliya Dance Stage
14. Dry Veg. Shop
15. Hut for Henna Wali
16. Magic show
17. Puppet Shows
18.Artisans village
19. Bioscope, Bird Astrologer, Astrologer
20. Museum
21.Village bazaar
22.Elephant ride
23. Open Air Theater
24. Stage for Dance
25. Studio
26. Maze (Bhul-Bhulaya)
27. Snake & Ladder
28. Boating Shed
29. Lake
30. Shiva Temple with bridge
31. Jungle Theme
32. Cave & Water Falls
33.National haat
34. Camel & Bullock Cart Rides
ZONING OF CHOKI DHANI ETHNIC RESORT:
Entrance gateway
Car parking
Waiting room
Security kiosk
Admin block
Lilly pool
temple
toilet
Conference hall
Reception hall
Restaurant & kitchen
Swimming pool
pool
bar
haveli
hut
• Cluster planning
• Functionally inter-related spaces were clubbed
together and segregated in a haphazard manner
• The entire theme of Rajasthan was depicted in
terms of jungle, lake side ,desert side etc..the
proximity of these spaces were a beautiful
amalgamation to the visitors
• Open spaces were rightly acknowledged with
right use of activities like merry-go-rounds ,
camel rides , chaat shops etc…
• Zoning enabled the visitors to view the whole
place (open planning)and explore
places of their interest.
ZONING ANALYSIS-Choki dhani village:
PEDESTRIAN
CIRCULATION
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3. ZONING ANALYSIS-Choki dhani resort:
• The site layout depicts a typical
village plan with hierarchy of
spaces:
• Focally placed village head i.e.
thakur’s haveli with luxury
amenities nearby.,Then the rest of
the village huts spreading all
around
• The villages huts were grouped
togther in one compound bringing
in the feel of rajasthani villages
• Swimming pool is isolated from
the resort in rear side ensuring
privacy
VEGETATION ANALYSIS
• Placement of temples in the resort are here and there thus brining in the
village scenario
COMPONENTS OF CHOKI DHANI RESORT
KEY PLAN
The magical allure of
Chokhi Dhani embraced in Rajasthani
architecture welcomes with beautifully carved
Ganesha Temple
GANESHA TEMPLE
The architecture depicts
historical clock tower and the ancient craft of
shopping arcade at its best.
SARGAHSULLI SHOPPING ARCADE
The reception hall
cum lobby magnificently erected with
mud plastered floor,bamboo net ceiling
adorned with Rajasthani paintings and
murals will captivateyour imagination.
KOTRI
Chokhi Dhani has 31 Village Huts & 34 Executive Huts.
VILLAGE HUTS
KOTRI EXTERIORKOTRI INTERIOR
:The grandeur of this dining
hall is truly breathtaking. It serves breakfast,
lunchand dinner of Indian & Chinese tastes.
BINDOLA
The Shekhawati
Haveli with 8 royal suites is expressly
designed for quiet,intimate moments,
languorous daydreaming and restful
solitude enjoyed byThakurs.
SHEKHAWATI HAVELI SUITES
The conference hall accommodating
120 persons with all secretarial services
MANDANI
The place forms an ideal venue for board
meetings and conference
SAJJAN GOTH
Large traditional swimming pool like the
one kings enjoyed in historic times and an
adjacent health club
KUND
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4. Facilities for billiards,
table tennis and chess etc
RECREATIONAL ROOM
Slightly
descending from the ground
level is a square shaped
cocktail bar with its machan
on the second floor. It has four
decorated underground spaces
made of wood and bamboo.
BAKHARI
RESTAURANT
A
cluster of huts encircles
the centrally erected
restaurant and banquet
hall, with streets on both
sides leading towards the
haveli.The open space
near the kund becomes a
dining space for parties.
1.GORBANDH - THE OPEN DINING AREA
• This area had a compound wall for .9m and it
was richly coloured with floral motifs.it was an
open dining area and it can be viewed from the
entrance plaza itself.
• The serving counters were circular kiosk
supported by wooden columns and the roofs
were bamboo thatched
• The preparation counters behind were richly
coloured with stories of hunters etc…
"Gorband" is an open area dining
at semi round shape ground in form of "kalis in a
Ghagra" or Crease in skirt.
KEY PLAN
COMPONENTS OF CHOKI DHANI VILLAGE
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2
SCHEMATIC PLAN OF
GORBANDH AND SANGRI
2.SANGRI – THE VILLAGE DINING HALL
• This was a closed restaurant with an outer
verandah around with wooden cots .
• The columns in outer vernadahwere shaped
like tree branches
SCHEMATIC PLAN OF
CHAUPAD JEEMAN GHAR
• The interior flooring was finished with
cow dung and the inner walls were
thatched with palm leaves for insulation.
• The interior columns were richly colored
with vegetable colors.
EXTERIOR
INTERIOR
• Apart from sangri there is another ethnic
dining hall specially known for its shape
- chaupad jeeman ghar.
• In india chaupad is an ancient game of
royal families like today's ludo, which
has four straight paths joint in center.
• This is what "chaupad jeeman ghar" has
in its shape.
• It has four straight rows meeting at
center.
• Each row has 20 persons‘
sitting capacity
3.CHAUPAD JEEMAN GHAR
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5. Jammu and Kashmir
Kerala
Goa sikkimWest Bengal
Maharashtra
Gujarat
Rajasthan
Tamil Nadu.
NATIONAL HAAT
Craft's bazaar is an attempt to bring
under one roof the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, arts and crafts of the 9 most
distinctive states of the country viz. Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Jammu and
Kashmir, Kerala, Goa, Sikkim, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
PLANNING
SIKKIM
GUJARAT
TAMIL NADU
JAMMU AND KASHMIR VIEW OF THE CLUSTER
GOA
MAHARASHTRA
• The "NATIONAL HAAT" is built like a giant
map of the country with a boutique of each
state built on its geographical location on the
map.
• Handicrafts from each state are available for
sale in the boutiques.
• Every month, the national haat celebrates a
festival for one state.
• While artisans and cultural troupes demonstrate
the arts and crafts of that state, visitors also get
to taste its rich culinary traditions.
RAJASTHAN
WEST BENGAL
ARTISAN VILLAGE
ENTRY TO ARTISANS
VILLAGE
Eating
kiosk
VIEW OFARTISANS VILLAGE
SCHEMATIC PLAN
SHOPS INFORMAL
ACTIVITIES
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6. • Kala gram is indeed a earnest effort to
heighten the acknowledgement of all
the solitary arts of the villages of
rajasthan.
• This place is arranged to display the use
of rajasthani art and craft in the modern
daily life.
• The kalagram recreates the magic of
1.Blue pottery
2. Paper mache
3. Bagru print
4. Koftgari art
5. Carpets & durries
6. Marbel craft
7. Wooden craft
8. Jaipuri rajai
9. Mojri work
10. Gem stone painting
11. Tarkashi art
12. Leather items
13. Tie and dye
14. Bone jewellery
15. Rajasthani fancy
jewellery
16. Puppet making
17. Miniature painting
18. Barmeri cloth
• Kalgram also had some performing stages, cow -shed, chaat kiosk
• The artisans village had a grand opening with a vast spread land with
circular bhunga shaped shops spread over the entire space uniformly .
• Fluidity in pedestrian movement can be felt in the circular flow
• Lots of circular patches were distributed for seating, lights and other
informal activities.
• Doll shop was artistically shaped out like a doll, prayer articles shop was
carved out like kumbham etc…
•
VILLAGE ENTRANCE
PANGHAT
REGISTAN RE DHANI
PANI PATASI
• Panghat showing ancient way of pulling out water from
well whereas Tel Re Ghani represents the ancient way of
getting oil by moving bullock round and round a central
mechanical system.
• Garadiya Luhar shows the working of Indian Blacksmith,
who never take rest till the work lasts.
• In Mevar Re Dhani and Registan Re Dhani ,the special
style village huts are present which represent the Mevar
culture and Desert's special cool huts which stay cool in hot
summer without any A.C.
Eati
ng
kiosk
FOREST THEME HUTS
TEMPLE WITH
ARTIFICIAL
WATERFALL
LAKE
NATIONAL
HAAT
KEY PLAN
Chokhi Dhani has its
own beautiful village Lake "Tal Talaiya"
where one can enjoy boating. The
waterfall at the end adds just the right
touch of romance to the scenery.
BOATING - TAL TALAIYA
• Gufa Jharni is an artificial water fall in a dark
dreadful cave
• Jungle Sair is a theme park based on forest theme
where one will find animals roar while Bheel tribes
dance to the beat of jungle drums. The theme park was a
big favorite with the kids
Live dance and enthralling performances all
through the evenings is one of the major
attractions at Chokhi Dhani Village
FUN ZONES
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7. Beautifully hand painted temple in the top of the mountain beneath I waterfalls
TEMPLE - MANDIR DEVRA
Dance stage
with seating
outside
Resting sheltersKiosk
PLANNING OF THE CLUSTERS
VIEW INTO THE CLUSTERS
GARADIYA
LUHAR
GHANTA GHAR
CAVE TEMPLE JUNGLE
The roof structure
was thatched conical top with supporting
columns either at centre or at the
circumference
• There are many folk dances
in Rajasthan and all are
performed here on different
occasions. Like Ghoomer,
Potter Dance, Kalbeliya -
the Snake Dance, Bhopa-
Bhopi Dance etc.
THE PUPPET SHOW - KATHPUTALI RO NACH
The pupet show was set up in a rectangular room imitating the
decorations for the façade from early puppet theatres. The puppeteer made episodes and
scenes from their lives.
THE MAGIC SHOW - JADU RO KHEL
The magic show was taking place
in an enclosure similar to the Rajasthan village magic
show in an open space where the audience where
seated in a platform running along the circular
structure.
BHOOL BHULAIYA was a maze where one has
to find the way out from complex tunnels.
SANP-SIDHI RO KHEL was a simple snakes
and ladders' game on a huge board and dice
• The open spaces were managed with merry-go-
rounds, see-saws, film-seeing and other traditional
village games
• The gaming zone like shooting ,bottle hitting etc.
were present in arched openings similar to the
palatial architecture of Rajasthan
• Ride on the luxuries of the bygone era - be it
camel, a horse drawn tonga or an elephant.
• This gives an excitement and fun of riding on
some of the earliest modes of the transportation
humans developed in this part of the world.
• This will have a round of whole village in style,
savoring the sights and sounds at a leisurely pace.
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8. Very minute detailing has been done to enhance the theme and to create a
realvillage scene. The whole environment is adorned with such elements as
• Chakki
• hal
• bamboo bridge
• lanterns
• chakkas
• potteries
• cots
• well
• chabutaras (platform)
• aalias (nooks) for deepaks.
ELEMENTS, ENHANCING THEME
PLAN OF CIRCULAR HUT
ELEVATION
PLAN OF RECTANGULAR HUT
ELEVATION
VIEW OF THE
RECTANGULAR
HUT
VIEW OF THE
CIRCULAR HUT
CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
The walls are decorated with relief murals, created with brick motifs
andrelief work designed with thick cement plaster in tempera, mainly
withclay colors geru (Indian red), pilli rnitti (ochre) and saphed rnitti
(whiteclay)
The roofs, wherever air-conditioning
was not planned, have been erected
with iron pipes and purlins, which are
covered with bamboo net and
terracotta tiles (keloos), brought from
different parts of the region.
Simple brick masonry work is done
than the use of concrete mixture.
Plaster is used either in the form of
traditional cow dung mixed with
special type of sand and some thatch
waste, also at some places POP is
used widely
Typical wall patterns. Use of red stone
with some local materials is done
TYPICAL THATCH
ROOF
AC SHEETS WITH
BLACK COATING
TYPICAL TILES
PATTERN
The hut structures are provided with windows and doors at times
with ‘aaliyas’ covered with built-in spaces for deepaks (terracotta
lamps) indifferent shapes.
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9. • The foundations have been generally filled with stones and walls built
with stone or brick.
• The straight lines of the walls have been broken and rounded before a
thin plaster of cement is put and then treated with a combination of mud,
cow dung and husk by the village women from the neighbouring areas.
• The layout design has village temples, devaras, brick jalis and wooden
en- closures.
• Bamboos have been used extensively to integrate one structure with
another. Thus creating harmony.
• The architect has utilized local materials and manpower for the
construction.
Roof top finished with
thatched coir grass which
gives a cool environment
in the interiors. These
were seen in open air
performing stages
Bamboo structure
supports the roofing
Wooden columns support
the bamboo framework
DETAILING OF DOOR AND WINDOWS
DETAILING OF
FOUNDATION
DETAILING OF ROOF
GROUND
CRITICALANALYSIS
• Site provides no natural views, which are supposed to be essential for a project like
ethnic village but this shortcoming has been entirely subsided by the environment
created with in the resort.
• Parking area is not detailed is not covered and not given much importance in planning.
• Walkways after car parking are long and unprotected from rain and sun.
• No covered connections between any two units, but problems aroused by this are taken
care by efficient management.
• Reception hall area, capacity, and facilities are grossly insufficient.
• Visitors and recreation areas are well segregated from residential units providing
privacy and avoiding cross circulation patterns.
• Underground bar ,indoor restaurants , performing arenas although elegant and
intimate but also gives feeling of congested ness.
• Variety in design is achieved through different forms provided to huts, variation of
interior facilities and the variety of detailing both in interiors as well as exteriors- give
a sense of individuality and belongingness to the visitors.
• Strong unity and harmony are achieved through the use of materials, detailing and
forms. Also striking contrast can be seen in haveli ,swimming pool ,huts,jungle sair
etc.
• Choki dhani village is open to public only in the evening time and the this eighteen
acres spread gets drenched in darkness so the beauty and the architectural value of this
place goes unrecognised and people come here for mere entertainment .
• 40% of the space is open to sky ,and its not properly managed with climatic shelters.
• Services are not properly managed in kitchen which has led to the smoke getting
deposited in the nearby buildings thus spoiling the beauty of exteriors.
• A/c units fitted and seen in exteriors of all units could be taken care off.
• Loss of sense of direction, also handled efficiently through proper sign boards and
attentive management
• Exploitation of local material and labour has been done in its full causing very low
cost of construction.
• Maintenance and repairs are effort taking but cost low.
• With all its typical ambiance and Chokhi dhani has gained popularity more like
another tourist destination in Jaipur to know and experience the real
Rajasthan under one roof.
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