Devra Culinary Experience : Heritage Home Cooking By Jyothi Jasol

“It is all about the flavours and age old wisdom”
One of the pioneers in the culinary spaces, Jyoti Jasol introduced this experience almost a decade ago to the discerning traveler looking for authentic cooking demos and interaction.

The Destination

The first thing one would want to do soon after reaching Udaipur, the Venice of India, the city of lakes, is to take a walk along the beautiful Lake Pichola, enjoying the majestic blue waters, garlanded by regal City Palace and fortified by the Aravallis in the distance. Lazily strolling along the lake, you are led into the quaint alleyways of the old city with its many sights, sounds and fragrances. Roaming around these “gullys” peeping in and out of the many ghats and city gates or “pol” as they are called, admiring all the frenzy and creativity around, one soon builds up a good appetite, thanks to the many wafts of fragrances floating through the windows of the old houses. Now is the time to head to the outskirts of this magnificent city of love and romance.

Devra: Homestay

A short drive away from the charming chaos of the old city is Devra, your own oasis. Set amidst the idyllic farms, this citadel with a stone clad facade is a welcome sight to the weary traveller. As soon as you enter, you might hear the sounds of a traditional Indian Kitchen along with the heavenly fragrances of spices, herbs and fresh produce all coming together in alchemy to create something more valuable than gold. This is the magic being woven together by your host, Mrs Jyoti Jasol , in her traditional kitchen, keeping alive the legacy and memories of her mother and grandmothers.

Jyoti Jasol: Passionate, Intuitive, Creative, Culinary Craftsperson

On reaching Devra, one is met with a colourful palette of masalas that take a cue from intuitive instructions from the lady of the house. When asked about from where she gathers her passion for cooking, she relates how this is what helps her maintain an emotional connect with her mother, who though uneducated, has been a dynamic source of worldly wisdom. Jyoti finds herself employing similar technique and management, keeping alive her mother’s aura. She continues to be guided by the fundamentals of food and living witnessed by her as a child, having grown up to believe that a person’s health reflects the food one eats. Consequently, she is particular about desi( Local ) ingredients to be used in a recipe, the aroma of local spices suspended in her kitchen. Most of these are freshly plucked from her organic farm spread over five acres within Devra or the farms around, looked after by appointed caretakers.

Born to Thakur Nahar Singh ji and Smt. Ummed Kanwar from Jasol. Jyoti grew up in Jodhpr’s_ Mehrangarh Museum where her father was the director. This unusual upbringing gave her rich exposure to the fascinating culture and history. Married to Major Durga Das of Bassi (Mewer, Udaipur) allowed her to appreciate the rich heritage of Mewer region. They belong to a large traditional family that extends to almost every part of Rajasthan which has given Jyothi a real appreciation for the traditions and the exposure to culinary art of the regions of the Rajasthan.

Jyoti shares her rich cooking experience which has been passed on to her from the family traditions, grandmother and mother, also by the extended family members.