A Journey Through Taj – Where Luxury Wears a Human Heart

30 August 2025
Saksham Bajpai

Parul University students participated in an unforgettable adventure with IIMUN’s Hospitality Tour in Jaipur, a rich journey of palaces, stories, and learning that transformed luxury into something felt rather than merely observed.

The Taj in Jaipur is not merely a chain of hotels but an anthology of life. Every property is a chapter with its own voice, unified by respect for place, people, and purpose. As the students entered this realm, they were not simply touring hotels but engaging in conversations whispered by the land, echoed in marble halls, and carried through the warmth of hospitality.

The first dialogue began not with chandeliers but with the earth. At Taj Devi Ratn, the philosophy was clear: luxury must heal more than it consumes. Training Manager Siddharth Bose introduced sustainability as a mindset rather than an afterthought, highlighting in-house plantations and employee initiatives that wove ecological responsibility into daily operations.

From these agrarian roots, the journey transitioned seamlessly to a space where tradition and modernity coexisted. At Taj Amer, Learning & Development Manager Atanu Banerjee demonstrated how heritage can embrace contemporary design without losing its essence. Students observed how Jaipur’s grand banquet spaces harmonised with traditional detailing, proving that scale and sophistication can coexist.

The experience then unfolded at Taj Rambagh, where heritage is not preserved for display but maintained through discipline. Presented by IHCL Rajasthan Head Director Ashok Rathore, the palace revealed that royal hospitality is governed by strict protocols refined over decades. Here, history is lived daily, not merely remembered.

Continuing this narrative, Taj Sawaiman Mahal offered insights into heritage as performance. General Manager Asha Deep Sidhu described how tradition is brought alive through curated experiences, from employee attire to ceremonial practices adapted for modern guests. Students realised that luxury, when done authentically, invites participation rather than observation.

The final chapter led to Taj Jai Mahal, where authenticity met environmental responsibility. Under the leadership of General Manager Vardhman Singh Rathore, the palace demonstrated how historic charm can coexist with sustainable practices, from eco-friendly systems to carefully restored architectural elements.

By the end of the journey, the students had experienced more than five iconic hotels and absorbed five interlinked philosophies: sustainability as a foundation, harmony between past and present, operational discipline in heritage conservation, the warmth of living traditions, and responsibility toward the planet. Together, these lessons redefined luxury as a values-driven experience that lingers long after the tour concludes.