U.S., March 12 -- WelcomHeritage has opened Kalyan Bhawan, in the desert city of the Thar, Jaisalmer, in Rajasthan. It is a joint venture between the ITC and the Maharaja of Jodhpur, Gaj Singh.

Kalyan Bhawan Hotel was the former home of the Ruler of Jaisalmer, Maharawal Jawahir Singh ji and was called "Kanwar Pada", meaning Princes' Residence in local parlance. He lived here as a royal member of the Jaisalmer family until he became the ruler of Jaisalmer in 1914.

The former haveli was an old mansion with wood beams which had given way with the passage of time and hence many parts had to be pulled down and recreated to make the property contemporary to present day times.

The property is owned by Raj Kumar Dr. Jitendra Singh, the grandso...