Set within the forested slopes of the Maniyagarh Hills in Madhya Pradesh, India, the landscape for The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace reinterprets historic garden traditions through a contemporary hospitality lens. At its heart stands Rajgarh Palace, a meticulously restored Bundela-era palace built in the late 17th. Completed in late 2025 and spanning approximately 282,660 square meters, the landscape transforms the surrounding terrain into an immersive environment that honors the site’s cultural legacy while introducing a refined hospitality experience.

Responding to the palace’s elevated setting, the landscape design carefully frames views toward the historic palace and organizes the terrain into a sequence of courtyards, gardens, and pathways that gradually reveal the architecture. The palace carries layers of regional history and architectural memory, rather than competing with the restored structure, the landscape acts as a quiet mediator between past and present, allowing the Bundela heritage of the site to remain the central narrative.

Drawing inspiration from the spatial principles of historic Indian and Mughal gardens, the landscape is structured through axial alignments, framed vistas, and carefully composed courtyards where water, stone, and planting shape the guest journey. These historic references are translated into a contemporary spatial language, creating a clear rhythm and spatial hierarchy that guide movement and frame a sequence of evolving views.

Craftsmanship plays a defining role in shaping the atmosphere of the resort. Traditional Indian craft techniques inform many of the landscape’s architectural elements, including Intricate façade screens reinterpret the traditional jali, characterized by distinctive geometric perforations and iconic Indian patterns, alongside delicate floral motifs, carved stone paving, and textured masonry walls. These handcrafted details reinterpret regional heritage through refined design, allowing light and shadow to animate surfaces throughout the day. Locally sourced stone and natural materials are used with restraint, creating a tactile palette that reflects both cultural authenticity and the understated elegance associated with Oberoi spririt.

Water, historically symbolic in Indian garden traditions, introduces movement and cooling microclimates throughout the landscape. Reflecting pools and narrow channels guide visitors through the site, culminating in the “Water Courtyard at the Palace, the Courtyard of Silence”, a contemplative space where still water, filtered light, and historic architecture converge.

The project places strong emphasis on local materials and a philosophy of “silent architecture”, hardscape elements designed to embody stillness and enhance the guest’s sense of peace. Movement unfolds as a deliberate sequence, flowing from structured architectural forms into tactile natural textures, ultimately culminating in intimate, private views of the wilderness. The design remains elegantly simple, yet meticulous in its attention to detail, where precision and craftsmanship elevate the overall composition with quiet sophistication.