The Living Canvas: Hathi Gaon’s Street Art Revolution
The Living Canvas: Hathi Gaon’s Street Art Revolution In 2026, the traditional boundaries between a wildlife sanctuary and a contemporary ... Read More
The Twilight Transition: A Mahout’s Oral History of the Night
The Twilight Transition: A Mahout’s Oral History of the Night When the last tourist vehicle leaves the gates of Amer, ... Read More
A Day in the Life of a Mahout at Hathi Gaon: The Unseen Bond
Behind the royal spectacle of elephants in Jaipur lies a world of quiet devotion, ancient tradition, and a relationship that transcends the boundaries between human and animal. Hathi Gaon (Elephant Village), situated at the foothills of the Amber Palace, is not just a sanctuary; it is a community where Mahouts (caretakers) and elephants have co-existed for generations. ... Read More
The “Living Fossil” Flora: Reconstructing a Prehistoric Forest
The “Living Fossil” Flora: Reconstructing a Prehistoric Forest Most people think of eco-friendly elephant encounters in Jaipur as a simple ... Read More
Elephant Rescue Stories: From Abuse to Care at Hathi Gaon & Beyond
Hathi Gaon (literally “Elephant Village”) was created to house around 100 elephants and their mahout families near Amber Fort. Designed by RMA Architects, it’s a clustered settlement with courtyards and rain-harvesting water bodies. Think of it as a residential community and service hub for working elephants—not a rescue center.
In parallel, elephant rides to Amber Fort and some “tourist activities” in/around Hathi Gaon have drawn sustained criticism from animal-welfare groups, with periodic government and court actions (including removing medically unfit elephants from rides and policy wrangles over pricing and operations). The bottom line: welfare standards and legality are evolving, and travelers should choose no-ride options ... Read More
From Quarry to Conservation: How Hathi Gaon Transformed Scarred Land into an Elephant Reserve
Elephants have been a part of India’s culture, religion, and history for centuries. From temple rituals to royal processions, these gentle giants have always held a special place in our hearts. But as cities expand and natural habitats shrink, elephants are increasingly caught in a conflict between survival and human development.
One of the most inspiring examples of turning this challenge into an opportunity is Hathi Gaon — a unique project near Jaipur, Rajasthan, that transformed barren quarry land into a lush habitat for elephants and a sustainable community for their mahouts (elephant keepers)
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