Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Army Officer and Wife Transform Barren Udaipur Land Into Homestay
Major and Jyoti had a patch of land in Udaipur that was mostly covered in cactus.
They tried growing flowers there, but that business did not work out.
Jyoti later returned to the land to help build a homestay.
Devra opened to guests in 2004 and now has 10 bedrooms.
The couple brought in soil and worked to grow many kinds of plants and food.
The property follows permaculture practices and serves traditional local dishes.
Visitors can take cooking classes, watch birds and visit nearby villages.
Major hoped the project would help people pay attention to the world around them.
Major, who served in the Indian Army for 13 years, and his wife Jyoti developed 2.5 acres of barren land in Udaipur.
After an unsuccessful floriculture venture, Jyoti returned to the property in 1999 to pursue a homestay plan.
Devra began welcoming guests in 2004 and now has 10 bedrooms.
The property uses permaculture practices and grows crops, vegetables and fruit, including a reported annual harvest of 400 kilograms of chikoos.
Guests can join heritage cooking classes, bird watching and village visits; Major says the project was intended to encourage awareness of the surroundings.
- Who
- Major, a former Indian Army officer, and his wife Jyoti developed the property.
- What
- They turned 2.5 acres of barren land into Devra, a 10-bedroom homestay.
- When
- Jyoti returned to the property in 1999; Devra began welcoming guests in 2004.
- Where
- Udaipur, Rajasthan, India.
- Why
- The couple wanted to build a home and a project that went beyond accommodation, encouraging awareness of the surroundings.
Development account
Environmental and legal context
Using soil from Pichola Lake
Development account
Jyoti said the loamy soil they brought from the lake was rich in minerals and nutrients and helped them grow their first trees.
Environmental and legal context
Jyoti said soil extraction is no longer allowed after a 2016 proposal placed three Udaipur lakes, including Pichola, in a prohibited zone.
- Land area
- 2.5 acres
- Homestay
- Devra
- Bedrooms
- 10
- Guest opening
- 2004
- Major's Army service
- 13 years
- Annual chikoo harvest
- 400 kg
- Reported soil source
- Loamy soil from Pichola Lake