Evenings That Stay With You – A Bonfire, Tea, and a Leopard Story in Jawai

Winter evenings in Jawai have their own rhythm. The sun sinks slowly behind the granite hills, the air becomes sharp and clean, and everything feels quieter—more thoughtful. Today was one of those evenings that remind me why I started Aagmanam. After finishing the day’s safari, I walked towards a small Rabari hut near the goat fence, where a gentle bonfire was already burning. The smell of smoke mixed with the cold desert air and the sound of bells from the grazing goats created a scene that felt timeless. I sat down with a cup of hot tea, warming my hands, while Valaram ji, one of the respected Rabari elders, sat beside the fire. Valaram ji has the kind of face that holds stories in its lines—stories of this land, its people, and its wildlife. As the fire crackled and the sky slowly turned purple, he began telling me about a leopard of Jawai—not just any leopard, but one that had lived near these hills for many years. He spoke about how the leopard would quietly walk past their huts at night, never harming the goats, never disturbing the people. “Yahan ka leopard mehmaan hai,” he said softly. The leopard here is a guest. He told me how the Rabari community believes in living with nature, not against it. They don’t lock their goats in fear. They trust the land, and the land, in its own way, protects them. Listening to him, I felt something I often feel in Jawai—a deep respect for this balance that exists here. This is not just a wildlife destination. This is a living story of coexistence. The bonfire kept us warm, the tea tasted better in that cold air, and somewhere far away, a hill echoed with a sound that might have been a leopard calling. Moments like these don’t appear in brochures. They are not planned. They are felt. This is what I want our guests at Aagmanam to experience—not just leopard sightings, but the soul of Rajasthan, the people, the silence, the stories, and these unforgettable winter evenings. Tonight, as I write this, my clothes still smell faintly of smoke, and my heart feels full. Jawai has a way of doing that to you. — Palak Naturalist & Founder, Aagmanam – Wildlife & Culture Safaris in Rajasthan