About:
Princess Bhargavi Kumari Mewar grew up at the picturesque City Palace in Udaipur, a heritage city built by her illustrious forefathers six centuries ago along the banks of Lake Pichola.
She is a polo enthusiast, an avid photographer, a shy writer and a voracious reader, with a passion for art and travel. Having chosen to study in England at the age of 13, Princess Bhargavi combined her love for travel, art and horses by exploring Europe during her six years there, capped by two months playing polo in Argentina during her gap year.
She later joined HRH Group of Hotels, India’s only chain of heritage palace-hotels under private ownership, founded, owned and managed by her family. Rising to the position of Executive Director, she oversaw the refurbishment of the iconic Shiv Niwas Palace hotel and the Fateh Prakash Palace hotel, as well as other building projects and domestic sales. Bhargavi also spearheaded the implementation of global marketing plans under the guidance and demanding leadership of her father Maharana Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur – a man known for his high standards, commitment to excellence and his well regarded vision.
In 2006, Princess Bhargavi turned her passion for art restoration and promotion into the launch of her own luxury lifestyle brand, called Aashka, with retail boutique outlets in Jaipur and Udaipur. While exploring and transforming traditional and modern art forms into exquisitely crafted merchandise as Aashka’s creative head, Bhargavi further broadened her expertise as an entrepreneur, focusing not only on domestic retail sales but also on developing successful international export markets.
She comments: “To me, luxury is the exclusivity of experiences, especially in the world of hospitality. As for luxury products, I value and am drawn to craft rich creations – labours of love – more than ‘latest trends’.”
Her work and perspectives have been the subject of extensive profiles in leading Indian and global media, Condé Nast, Harpers and Tatler to name just a few. The Princess was invited to serve as Trustee of Sadhana, an organisation working to support women in rural India, which she further promotes through Aashka with sales of textiles made by these talented ladies. Bhargavi is also a member of the Maharana Mewar Charitable Foundation and the Maharana Mewar Educational Institute.
With the extensive knowledge in the sectors of Hospitality and Lifestyle and having first hand experience with some of India’s most exceptional properties Princess Bhargavi Kumari Mewar is an invaluable addition to our Luxury Panel.
We are delighted to welcome her on board!
Princess Bhargavi Kumari Mewar is married to Thakur Lokendra Rathore, India’s first professional polo player and twice former captain of the Indian Polo World Cup squad. The couple have two daughters.
