In Mary McFadden's Footsteps

A Regal Riverside Escape: 4 Nights at the Historic Ahilya Fort, India

MINIMUM WINNING BID IS $4,500

The winning bidder will embark on an extraordinary four-person journey to the historic 19-bedroom Ahilya Fort, where Mary served as patron of the Sacred River Festival. Ahilya is an atmospheric heritage retreat perched dramatically above the sacred Narmada River. The winners will be the personal guests of His Highness Shrimant Maharajkumar Prince Richard Holkar, a lifelong and beloved friend of Mary's, whose family has owned and preserved the fort for generations. The property offers a profound window into 18th-century India, originally the palace capital of Prince Richard's legendary ancestor, the visionary warrior queen Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar.

This unique opportunity is designed to be the spectacular centerpiece of a wider bespoke luxury vacation to India. The trip easily lends itself to a grander exploration; winners can sandwich their regal retreat between a few days exploring the imperial grandeur and bustling markets of Delhi, or diving into the contemporary energy and vibrant coastal lifestyle of Mumbai, both of which offer convenient flight connections to Ahilya.

This five-day, four-night stay for four guests, accommodated in two Princely rooms, delivers an intimate and immersive experience at the heart of India's living history. Guests will be treated as VIPs, surrounded by a timeless landscape of river ghats and temples, while remaining closely connected to the region's celebrated handloom weaving traditions, which inspired more than one of Mary's collections.

Daily life at the fort focuses on a quiet but powerful connection to local culture and heritage. Guests can look forward to exploring unique regional treasures, including breathtaking day trips to the spectacular fort capital of Mandu, originally named the "city of joy", and the sacred island pilgrimage site of Omkareshwar Temple. Every moment blends refined heritage comfort with the vibrant cultural fabric of this riverside community.

What's Included:

Accommodation: 4 nights for four guests in two double Princely rooms during the shoulder season. Winners can upgrade their rooms and their travel season out of pocket.
Dining: All meals (Indian and International), afternoon tea, soft drinks, and snacks are included. Domestic and imported alcoholic beverages are not included.
· Excursions: Traditional wooden boating trips along the sacred Narmada River.

Estate Access: Full use of the crystal-clear garden swimming pool and the fort's 15-acre organic farm.