Knowledgeum Academy, a learner-centric IB World School backed by the prestigious JAIN Group, held its annual Achievers Day ceremony on 24th July 2025, recognising top performers from the 2023-2025 IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) batch at the institutions Jayanagar campus.

Top: The achievers with Ms. Aparna Prasad, Founder – Knowledgeum and Head of School – Mr. Kalai Rajan. Bottom: Nihitha Hedge – one of the top scorers – conferred with the Knowledgeum Excellence Award

This year, Knowledgeum Academy recorded an IB Diploma success rate of 90%, with a school average of 32 points and the highest score reaching 41 out of 45. The top scorers from the cohort-Nihitha Hegde (41/45), Sahana Venkat Sai (39/45), Deeksha Gudur (38/45), and Samagna Kiran (37/45)-were recognised for their consistent efforts across the two-year programme.

Knowledgeum Academy confers The Knowledgeum Excellence Award, to those who achieve above 40 points in the IBDP examination out of the top achievable score of 45. This year, Nihitha Hedge was conferred with the award which includes a cash prize of ₹1 lakh, for her outstanding achievement of 41 out of 45 points. All four top scorers received the Founders’ Achievers Award which recognised their dedication and hardwork.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Chenraj Roychand, Founder Chairman of JAIN Group and Founder of Knowledgeum, stated, “Academic milestones matter, but what matters more is the journey of thinking deeply, acting ethically, and learning continuously. We are proud to have been part of that journey for each of our learners.”

Ms. Aparna Prasad, Founder of Knowledgeum, added, “This celebration is an acknowledgement of what can happen when we nurture curiosity, resilience, and compassion. Every learner recognised here today has grown not just academically, but in spirit-and that is the success we’re proud of.”

The recognised learners represent the culmination of rigorous engagement with the IBDPs comprehensive curriculum, including its core elements of Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service). These experiences have shaped not only their academic capabilities but also their critical thinking skills and global perspectives, preparing them for meaningful contributions to society.

“The last two years at Knowledgeum Academy have been transformative for our daughter. The school’s thoughtful environment and individual attention helped her not just perform well, but truly understand who she is and what she stands for. The support from the educators, the structure of the IBDP, and the consistent guidance allowed her to grow into an empathetic, confident, and capable learner,” expressed one of the achiever’s parent.

Throughout the ceremony, educators shared heartfelt tributes highlighting the learners’ strengths, commitment to the IB values, and the balance they maintained between academic rigour and self-reflection.

The celebration reflects Knowledgeum Academy’s ongoing effort to honour academic achievement while supporting the overall development of each learner. As they prepare to transition into their next chapter, members of the Batch of 2023-2025 have received placements at a diverse range of institutions, both in India and abroad – including the University of Cincinnati, King’s College London, Nova Southeastern University, Krea University, Ashoka University, and FLAME University.

To learn more about Knowledgeum Academy and its IBDP offerings, visit: www.knowledgeumacademy.in

About Knowledgeum Academy

Knowledgeum Academy, a pioneering educational institution under the JAIN Group, offers the globally recognised International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, equipping students with a holistic, inquiry-driven education that meets international standards, located in Bengaluru. Recognised as Indias Top Emerging International School by Education Today in 2023, the academy is dedicated to fostering a thriving environment for curious and ambitious learners. Offering the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) for Grades 11 and 12, Knowledgeum Academy combines academic excellence with an engaging, interactive, and reflective learning approach. It is committed to shaping future-ready professionals equipped for global success.

To celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship, SIMATS (Saveetha University) successfully conducted the “SIMATS Trophy 2025” – a Chennai Regional Level Competition for school students from Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, and Thiruvallur districts – on 25th July 2025 at the SIMATS Sports Complex.

SIMATS Conducted Chennai Regional Level Sports Competitions for School Students

The event featured a wide range of sports, including Kho-Kho, Football, Volleyball, and Throwball, along with Athletics events such as 100m, 400m, 800m races, long jump, shot put, and the 4x100m relay. The competition witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 4500 students from 100+ schools participating across three categories – Juniors, Seniors, and Super Seniors.

This grand event was made possible under the visionary leadership of Dr. N.M. Veeraiyan, Founder and Chancellor of SIMATS.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by Dr. S.N. Udheyakumar, Chief Coach of the Asian Archery Team and Founder of DOXA Sports Management Pvt. Ltd. and Eagle Archery Academy, and Mr. A. Manoharan, International Volleyball Player.

The event was strongly supported and encouraged by SIMATS patrons – Dr. Deepak Nallaswamy, Pro-Chancellor, Dr. Ramya Deepak, Director, SIMATS Engineering, Prof. Dr. S. Suresh Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, and Dr. Ashwani Kumar, Pro-Vice Chancellor.

The valedictory ceremony featured Ms. E. Christy Elena, International Medalist and Hockey Player, as the chief guest. During the prize distribution, the winners were honored with “The SIMATS Trophy 2025” for their respective sports. Additional awards included a trophy for the “School with Maximum Participation” and the prestigious “Overall SIMATS Trophy” for the best-performing school. Medals and certificates were distributed to all winners of this mega event.

Winners from the Chennai regional competition will now advance to the SIMATS State-Level Competitions, continuing their journey under the banner of SIMATS.

For more details, please visit www.saveetha.com.

About SIMATS
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS) is a premier private university in India, known for its pioneering contributions to medical, dental, engineering, and allied health sciences education. With a focus on experiential learning, clinical expertise, and ground-breaking research, SIMATS has established itself as a global leader in healthcare education.

Platinum Guild International (PGI) India concluded the 2025 edition of its annual Platinum Buyer-Seller Meet (BSM) on a high note in Kochi, bringing together leading industry voices right from key manufacturers to major jewellery retail partners from across the country. The event continued its legacy as a key platform for platinum jewellery manufacturers and retailers to collaborate on maximizing platinum’s business potential, unlocking lucrative business opportunities, and highlighting its value proposition to consumers, especially with the upcoming festive and wedding season.

Platinum Buyer Seller Meet 2025

This year’s meet, hosted at the Grand Hyatt, Kochi, brought together 60 retailers & 14 manufacturers, making it one of the most well-attended and dynamic BSM editions to date. The event served as a forum for partner retailers and manufacturers across PGI’s deep and wide national networks to collaborate on plans for the coming year, showcasing new collections, innovations in design and technology, and sharing best practices.

The collections showcased across PGI’s three signature brands, Platinum Love Bands, Platinum Evara, and Men of Platinum, enabled retailers to place orders and stock up in preparation for the season. These will be launched across partner retail stores and will be supported by integrated marketing campaigns going live across the upcoming buying season, energizing the market and catalyzing platinum jewellery sales to an increasingly aspiring consumer base.

Set against the backdrop of shifting global markets and increasing interest from younger, new-age consumers, the 2025 edition of the BSM was designed with a strong focus on success, innovation and growth. PGI India’s overarching goal was to position platinum as the metal of choice for modern Indian consumers through bold designs, differentiated product innovation, and insight-led marketing strategies. The strong retailer response and significant order volumes reflect not only the event’s effectiveness in unlocking platinum’s business potential, but also the positive market outlook towards platinum, further driven by its competitive pricing under present market conditions.

At the event, strategic sessions led by PGI India leadership outlined the evolving platinum narrative in the Indian jewellery market. From marketing innovations and compelling brand storytelling to retailer-exclusive collections and bi-metal design strategies, PGIs approach emphasized consistent category growth and long-term profitability.

Tim Schlick – Chief Executive Officer, Platinum Guild International, shared his thoughts on the 2025 Platinum Buyer-Seller Meet: “The 2025 Buyer-Seller Meet marks an inflection point for platinum in India. We are seeing a convergence of favourable market dynamics-rising consumer aspiration, product innovation, and strong retailer commitment. This platform reflects our continued investment in building a future-ready platinum category, one that responds to India’s evolving design sensibilities and generational shifts. At PGI, we remain focused on unlocking long-term value through strategic partnerships, differentiated storytelling, and business models that grow with the consumer. The energy and engagement at this year’s meet reaffirm that platinum’s growth story in India is just beginning.”

Vaishali Banerjee, Head of Global Market Development and Managing Director – India & ME,Platinum Guild International, said, “With each passing year, the Platinum Buyer-Seller Meet deepens our industry connections and reinforces platinums strategic place in the Indian jewellery landscape. It’s inspiring to see the energy, commitment, and innovation our partners bring to the table. This event is part of PGI’s commitment to building a movement around modern jewellery for modern India, that caters to the evolving demands of the new age consumer.”

Pallavi Sharma, Deputy Country Manager – India & ME, Platinum Guild International said, “This year, we placed a strong emphasis on leveraging the business opportunity to bring platinum to new groups of consumers due to its competitive market pricing, and we expect to induct new audiences into the world of platinum as a result of changing consumer preferences and trends. Our priority is to enable our partners to win in a highly competitive market, by helping them deliver true consumer value with platinum.”

The 2025 edition reaffirmed PGI Indias commitment to unlocking platinum jewellery’s full potential through innovation, collaboration, and consumer-led strategies. It served as a powerful catalyst in strengthening business confidence across PGI’s retail and manufacturing network. As the festive and wedding season approaches, the event set a decisive tone for a successful quarter, energizing partners with a renewed focus on design excellence and profitability. With an invigorated network of partners, platinum continues to chart a strong growth trajectory in India’s evolving consumer jewellery landscape.

About Platinum Guild International (PGI)

Platinum Guild International (PGI) is a marketing organisation with the vision to develop the global platinum jewellery market as a new demand source for platinum. It was formed in 1975 with specialist teams dedicated to growing the global platinum jewellery market through consumer and trade-facing programmes in the four key jewellery markets of China, India, Japan and USA. Since then, jewellery development has demonstrated a strong track record in delivering results. Through various programmes, both direct-to-consumer and in collaboration with jewellery retailers and manufacturers, PGI creates consumer-ounce demand by first identifying opportunities for platinum in jewellery, and then developing them with partners. It also aims to build an enduring commitment to platinum in jewellery. PGI’s consumer marketing and educational programmes are focused on developing awareness and an appreciation for platinum’s unique properties as a precious metal for fine jewellery. In addition, PGI works globally with collaborative partners running extensive marketing programmes in the four main platinum jewellery markets of China, Japan, USA and India. These markets are staffed with strategic planning, marketing, retail, design, and business development experts. PGI is funded by the leading platinum producers of South Africa, as well as through co-funded programmes with the jewellery industry.

Purity Assurance Program

PGI has partnered with TUV India Pvt Ltd to implement a robust audit programme to ensure the purity of platinum under its programme. TUV is one of the country’s first certification bodies and has been closely associated with the quality revolution in India. Under Platinum Guild India’s quality assurance programme, each piece of jewellery has an assured purity as high as 95%. And as proof of this assurance, every piece is stamped ‘Pt950’ and comes with a tamper-proof quality assurance card that distinguishes authentic platinum from other jewellery. A Unique Identification Number is also stamped on the jewellery in addition to the detailed description of the piece you choose for yourself. Our quality assurance programme is in place to ensure transparency and that the platinum the consumer buys is of the highest quality. After all, that is what true value is all about.

In a world where education must prepare students not just for exams but for impact, the NAE Student Summit 2025 stood as a beacon of global citizenship, youth-led change, and purposeful learning. Held at The Village School in Houston, the summit brought together over 160 students from Nord Anglia Education schools worldwide, including a passionate delegation from Oakridge International School, Bachupally.

Oakridge Students Group

Among them were changemakers like Siddhi, Riya, Samyuktha, Saanvi, and Nia, who didn’t just attend-they led, inspired, and transformed.

Service in Action Houston Food Bank Visit

The summit in Houston-held in the first UNICEF-recognized Child-Friendly City in the U.S.-kicked off with workshops led by Lisa Petro from Generation Global, where students explored the power of dialogue in fostering empathy, inclusion, and global change. They also learned about Nord Anglia’s Social Impact Grants, which have supported student-led initiatives with over $735,000 since 2021. On the second day, guided by UNICEF, students and educators-including Ms. Sonia from Oakridge Bengaluru-engaged deeply with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), connecting global frameworks to real-world case studies to inspire meaningful action.

Service in Action: Houston Food Bank Visit
In a powerful act of service, Oakridge students joined peers to sort 6,541 kg of food donations, providing 12,020 meals to families in need. “It was humbling to see how small actions can create big change,” shared Siddhi, Grade 11.

Later for two days students visited the Houston Museum of Natural Science to explore the evolution of energy and the importance of renewable solutions. Later, Oakridge students took the stage during Peer Talks to share their insights. Day 4 focused on advocacy, where students practiced speaking up for change and navigating tough conversations, while teachers participated in a UNICEF emergency aid simulation to better understand humanitarian response efforts.

Riya presented SuvriddhiOS, a platform promoting sustainable development in urban communities.

Samyuktha shared HealthMirror, a student-led initiative improving health awareness among underserved populations.

Their stories sparked conversations on compassion, innovation, and youth-led impact.

Capstone Projects: Learning into Action
The summit culminated in powerful capstone presentations, where students showcased how they plan to drive change in their communities. From climate action to digital inclusion, their ideas reflected a week of growth, collaboration, and purpose.

“I am incredibly proud of our students who represented Oakridge Bachupally at the NAE Summit 2025. Their leadership, empathy, and commitment to global change reflect the true spirit of purpose – driven education. From impactful service to powerful advocacy, they returned not just inspired, but ready to inspire. This summit reaffirmed our belief that our students are not just learners, but changemakers shaping a better world. This summit reaffirmed our belief that international education is not just about global exposure – it’s about global responsibility,” said Ms. Anuradha, Principal of Oakridge Bachupally.

“One thing that I fondly remember from this trip is our time spent volunteering at the Houston food bank. To see people get into action without having to tell them what to do, to see us all identify and take care of problems in the matter of seconds and just not hesitating to get the job done no matter the circumstances was something that warms my heart as I think about it even now. That is the type of ideology and experience that I want social impact to be centred around” – Siddhi from grade eleven k.

“Attending the NAE Summit 2025 @ Houston, Texas as a Regional Lead was an incredibly enriching experience. One of the highlights for me was delivering a Chaperone Peer Talk on ‘Championing Social Impact in Schools: A Journey from Vision to Action.’ It was a proud moment to share our region’s progress and inspire others through our stories of student-led change. The summit itself was a powerful blend of learning, collaboration, and action” – Fiona Chettiar Regional Representative Social Impact Program-India & CAS Coordinator- Oakridge Bachupally.

The NAE Summit 2025 was more than an event-it was a launchpad for future changemakers. For Oakridge Bachupally, it marked a milestone in nurturing knowledge, empathy, and service.

Ranked among the top international schools in Hyderabad, Oakridge International School Bachupally continues to empower students with global opportunities, real-world impact, and a purpose-driven education.

• Discover how your child can be part of this global journey.

• Visit www.oakridge.in/bachupally

• Call us today to learn more about our global learning programs.

BriBooks, the world’s leading writing and publishing platform for school students, has announced the winners of the Emerging Authors League, the second national competition under its Summer Book Writing Festival (SBWF) 2025.

BriBooks’ second league under SBWF 25 honours students who demonstrated commitment and creativity

The Emerging Authors League recognises students who demonstrated sustained commitment to completing and publishing their books. Unlike contests focused solely on style or language, this league rewards the determination to shape an idea into a finished work and the courage to share it publicly.

Celebrating India’s Developing Literary Talent
The league honours student authors who advanced from first drafts to published books, reflecting both perseverance and creativity. Winners were selected in two categories – Jury Choice, recognising literary quality and originality, and Best-Seller, recognising popular appeal among readers.

“This league celebrates the discipline and follow-through required to become an author,” said Ami Dror, Founder and President of BriBooks. “These students did not stop at imagining a story. They completed, polished, and published it – an achievement at any age.”

Jury Choice Winners

• Price of a Second – Navya Khanna

• The Breath Left Behind – Arshiya Rajput

• THE ALIBI ROOM – Kirandeep S P Chand

• Scarlet Flames – Daksh Kant

• Echoes Of The Southern Gate – Aharshi Biswas

• A deal with shadows – Chiranth Kellengere

• THE Lost temple enigma – DHWANI NAIR

• The Woods Manor Revelation – Mihira Shukla

• THE WHISPERING WOODS – Trisha agrawal

• The secret of Golden treasure – Kritika Bhasin

• THE LAST HUMAN ! – Veda Tejwani

• CAMP WHISPERING PINES – Yashika Solanki

• ESSENCE OF BEING LIVING. – NOOR GANDHI

• Through My Eyes – Vedika Vikas Patil

• The Nature of Destiny – Krishnendu Ganguly

• My trip to Nainital – Shivanya Sharma

• Power of light – Krishvi Sharma

• THE HOLLOW BELOW – Yuvana Jadwani

• THE VAULT – Bhavya Babbar

• My mom is not a Super hero! – Chethan Nihal Aripaka

• The Green Rebellion – Maanveer Juneja

• Searching Venu part 1 – Borra Sushanth

• The young scientist adventure – Hitakshi Khatri

• The whispers of mystery – Dhruvika Mishra

• How Marigold came to earth – Srinithya Tadikemalla

• HANKS FAMILY AND THE ISLAND – VIHAAN

• WHY CANT I GO TO SCHOOL! – ADITI R M

• Time Travel Trouble – Avika Jain

• Jaipur – in our new car – Mridula Chaudhary

• Earths Last Breath – Nandini Singh

• Sariska – The magical journey – Ojaswini Chaturvedi

• AI for young readers – Aritra Majee

• Echoes of the Hidden Truth – Jiya Kansra

• ASHLEY THE ASTRONAUT! – Aarna Raheja

• Halloween hijinks – Layeeq Ahmed Shaik

• Lost in the Amazon – Shayoli Ghosh

• MISSION COURAGE – Myra Mishra

• The precious game of cards – Ayantika Pal

• The Stray who befriended me – Aria Jaitly

• The tale of the silent River – Indraveer Singh

• A Dream Come True – Shaaravi Pandey

• Harely The Hare – Aarna Gulia

• Lights of joy : Diwali night – Lubhavani Sinha

• Anya finds the cats – Krishnica Rameshkumar

• The Last Leaf of Hope – Tejas kaur

• Allen & his powers part-1 – P Sathvika Reddy

• The Guardian Of Singapura – Durga Rajasingam

• The Holi Party – Veda Tejender Dudeja

• The Message – Pranshi Sharma

• Craft of courage – Sarah Singh

Best-Seller Winners

• Beti Padhao – Kshipra Moreker

• Present, Sir Absent, Sir – ROSHAN SURESH INGOLE

• Kingdom of Checkmate – Shrishti Sharma

• Joint Family gods gift – Irleen Kaur

• Wrath Of Dragons – Shaarav Rathi

• The Brooklyn Show – SparshND

• Detective Minds at Work – Anika Shukla

• Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – Kshipra Moreker

• Charred futures silent scream – Kshipra Moreker

• Tribal Science – Kshipra Moreker

• The Lost Forest of Vrindavan – Kavya Agarwal

• Pink Punk Heart – Anamaya Arora

• Advik and Friends Save Sangam – Ariv Agarwal

• Her venture to space – Aditree Pal

• Colours of India – Akshita Kaligotla

• Goddess of Luck – Kyra tayal

• the Secret Planet Zooba – Sanidhya Verma

• Time Swap:Centuries Reimagine – Shrejal Singh

• The Lost Treasure of Atlantis – Vihaan Gupta

• Magical Forest Talent Show – Naisha Chaursiya

• The secret diary – Shreyash Maheshwari

• A Mystery Of Easy Qultu – Darsh Bhalothia

• Green plants – Maitryi Agarwal

• Sugar, Swirls & Surprises – Kyra Mehta

• Cody From Lost To Loved – Ikeshita Chakraborty

• Wake up to be Extrordinary – Mitravinda Javvadi

• THE WISHING STAR – MISHIKA SINGH

• NO MANS LAND – Jashandeep Singh

• Lia and the bicycle race – Aanya Rajpura

• THE SECRET OF BLIZZARD ISLAND – ANSH AGRAWAL

• THE ADVENTURE IN GIR – Alakhya Ashmi Singh

• A sense of lightness – Samarth Mayur

• The forest that remembers – Naisa Singh

• The Animals Odyssey – Prahaan Chaudhari

• A Halloween to Remember – Nivriti Katyal

• The Lost – Aparna Jha

• TIMS ADVENTURE PART 1 – PRANAY PATNAIK HOTA

• Moments in time – Ishika chhabra

• XENO- ONE – Rhythm Sharma

• lifes lesson – Tanishka Soni

• Forever in my heart – Viyaan Assudani

• No Jewels, Just Genius – Sthavir Garg

• Ram And The Run For Courage – Pratigyaveer

• How The Tiger Got Its Name! – Aarna Kapoor

• Magic Puzzles – Prarthana Valecha

• Adventures of Rocky and Meena – Kaushiki Goyal

• Timeless threads – Aria Karn

• NIGHT DREAMERS – Samarvir choudhary

• The Journey to another Planet – KAIRA MATHUR

• Operation Green Hearts – Nivaan Haluvaagilu

A Continuing Celebration of Student Authorship
The Emerging Authors League is the second of three leagues in the Summer Book Writing Festival 2025, an initiative designed to encourage creative writing and publishing among school students. Participation is expected to exceed 1 million students across the country this year.

Winning students and schools will also be considered for the prestigious Literary Leadership Awards, with top authors receiving national recognition through media features, jury selections, and special showcases.

About BriBooks
BriBooks is the world’s largest student publishing platform, dedicated to helping children become published authors. Thousands of Indian students have published their books through BriBooks, gaining recognition as emerging voices in literature.

For nearly four decades, Neemrana Hotels has pioneered the art of reviving India’s forgotten architectural treasures, turning historical ruins into revenue-generating heritage ‘non-hotels‘. These have breathed new life into 5000 years of India’s past frozen in forgotten ruins. This unique model – conservation through hospitality – has created a new ecosystem of jobs, tourism, and pride in regional identity across the current 18 Neemrana destinations spanning 7 states – now growing to 20 with these two new heritage destinations under the pioneering leadership of Aman Nath, Director and Sonavi Kaicker, CEO, Neemrana Hotels Pvt. Ltd who has played a key role in taking Aman Nath’s visionary work forward since 2010.

Neemrana Hotels is reshaping more of India’s heritage at Jhansi’s Baruasagar Fort and Chanderi’s Raja-Rani Mahal. Look out for 2027

Now, in a significant move that marks the power of PPP public-private partnerships to conserve India’s architectural wealth, Neemrana Hotels has joined hands with the Governments of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to restore and revitalize two ruins and create new destinations (under the PPP model). These collaborations are more than hotel projects – they are a shared national vision to preserve and present India’s cultural and architectural inheritance to both the domestic and global travellers.

Neemrana Hotels will bring its signature “non-hotel” experience to:

• Baruasagar Fort, in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, and

• Raja Rani Mahal, in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh

The restoration work at both properties is now underway, with an official opening expected by 2027 for Baruasagar Fort and 2028 for Raja Rani Mahal.

Relive the history of Baruasagar Fort, Jhansi

Sitting right above the Baruasagar Lake, with commanding views of the surrounding Bundelkhand plains, the sprawling Baruasagar Fort spread across 7 acres is one of Jhansi’s most enduring and significant historic structures. Believed to have been constructed in the 18th century by the Bundela kings, the fort carries layers of historical association, particularly with the era of Rani Lakshmibai. According to several regional accounts and historical references, the fort was a strategic stronghold in the region, offering tactical advantages due to its elevation and proximity to Jhansi – the very land that played a defining role in India’s First War of Independence in 1857.

The architecture of Baruasagar Fort is marked by massive stone ramparts, bastions, and the rugged defensive style characteristic of Bundela architecture. While nature has weathered its stones over time, the structure remains largely intact, providing a strong base for Neemrana’s sensitive (historically accurate restoration) revitalisation.

When completed in 2027, this fort will be re-born as a one-of-a-kind experiential waterside property, allowing guests to stay in rooms that once hosted royals and warriors, overlooking the same landscapes that inspired legends. The first phase of restoration will include 25 guest rooms, a restaurant, a swimming pool, spa and various spaces for cultural activities, giving both Indian and international visitors an immersive journey into Bundelkhand’s lesser-known but powerful historical narrative. The destination will also be launched for intimate destination weddings.

Raja Rani Mahal, Chanderi: Where heritage tourism meets the infamous Chanderi Silk

Further south in Madhya Pradesh, in the timeless warp-and-weft town of Chanderi, Neemrana’s latest project sits like a forgotten jewel waiting to shine again. The Raja Rani Mahal, located in the Inner Town (Andar Sheher) of Chanderi near the historic Musa Bawdi, is a historical palace complex that reflects the legacy of medieval India’s architectural splendour. Built possibly during the 15th century and dating back further to the Khilji dynasty, the intimate palace consists of two architecturally distinct structures for Maharajas and Maharanis – the seven-storey Raja Mahal and the four-storey Rani Mahal – connected by a bridge and a secret passage- a unique design rarely found elsewhere in India.

Chanderi is no stranger to heritage. Known widely for its handwoven silk and cotton textiles, Chanderi sarees, and fine architectural remains, the town has long been on the cultural tourism map. However, Neemrana’s restoration of Raja Rani Mahal promises to elevate Chanderi’s status even further – from a weaving town to a global heritage destination.

This architectural marvel showcases intricate carvings, large courtyards, open pavilions, and gracefully designed stairways, all crafted in grey and white sandstone. The Raja Mahal is known for its elaborate detailing, while the Rani Mahal features a more delicate and intimate style, differing from its counterpart.

The historical property will be restored into a boutique heritage experience with phase one comprising 10-12 guest rooms, each designed in harmony with the palace’s original materials and regional style. The property has also served as the backdrop for numerous Bollywood productions including Stree 2 and Sui Dhaga, giving it a visual familiarity and cinematic aura that guests will now be able to recognize and physically step into. The best time to visit is between October and March, when the weather is pleasant for exploration. Chanderi is well connected via NH 52 to Bhopal, Indore, and Gwalior – perfect for road trips by car or bus – and is also easily accessible through the rail network.

Guests can expect to immerse themselves in an experience that blends Chanderi’s heritage with basic modern comforts – from a restaurant serving authentic regional cuisines like Bhutte Ka Kees, to an Ayurvedic wellness spa, experiences that help you stay active even on vacation, and vintage rooms adorned with local textiles that shall tell the story of the region. The project will also include collaborations with local artisans and weavers, helping bring sustainable livelihood to Chanderi’s communities and preserving its intangible heritage alongside the tangible.

A New Route Through History

Neemrana already operates Deo Bagh, a garden hotel of Gwalior housing Maratha temples and pavilions. With Raja Rani Mahal in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh will now offer a dual-destination in Neemrana itinerary, ideal for travellers who wish to experience two different stories of India’s bygone era in one trip – one rooted in the Marathas era, the other in medieval Sultanate period.

As with all the Neemrana restorations so far, both Baruasagar and Chanderi will offer authentic travel experiences that go beyond history and architecture. With multiple authentic experiences rooted in Indian heritage, along with indoor and outdoor dining spaces to savour local cuisines, these destinations are ideal for travellers of all age groups.

State Governments and Neemrana Hotels: A Shared Vision for Heritage India

This twin partnership of Neemrana Hotels with the Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh State Governments signals the proactive efforts of the governments that have been working to ensure that India’s architectural ruins of cultural and national significance are not just to be left abandoned, but preserved and restored in responsible heritage experiences of that region which will simultaneously generate local employment. With Neemrana leading the heritage restoration movement from the forefront, these sites become economic engines, cultural classrooms, and soulful sanctuaries – all at once.

“In Neemrana’s hands, ruins are never ruined by adding luxury, they are restored with minimum modern intervention and maximum authenticity,” said a senior official associated with the project.

By involving local artisans, reviving traditional skills, and promoting slow, meaningful travel, this model has proven both sustainable and scalable.

About Neemrana Hotels

Established in 1991, Neemrana Hotels has been a pioneer of the ‘non-hotel’ Hotel concept in India. Now with 20 Neemrana destinations across 8 states – by the sea, beside a serene lake, atop two-billion-year-old hills, along the Ganges, and deep in the Garhwal Himalayas – Neemrana is celebrated for blending restoration with hospitality, making India’s heritage not just accessible, but experiential and sustainable. With these new additions, Neemrana continues its noble mission: to preserve India, with Indians.

Website: www.neemranahotels.com. Reservations: reservations@neemranahotels.com