Alwar - Rajasthan

Tourism

Sariska Tiger Reserve

Sariska Tiger Reserve was created in 1978. The present area of the Reserve is 866 sq. km. In the pre-independence period the forests within the Reserve were a part of the erstwhile Alwar State and maintained as hunting preserve for the royalty. After independence, the wildlife parks come under Project Tiger Reserve. The tiger reserve is a home to some of the best known wildlife sanctuaries. It is an excellent tiger sanctuary under the Project Tiger. The dry deciduous forests of the Reserve are noted for their population of tiger, nilgai, sambar, cheetah, four horned antelope and wild boar. Nearly 90% of the area is covered with thickets of scrubby dhok trees, within which lives an impressive array of wildlife - including the elusive and majestic tiger. Apart from the tiger, a variety of other wildlife like the leopard, sambhar, chital, nilgai, four-horned antelope, wild boar, rhesus macaque, langur, hyena and jungle cats are found in the park. Also a highly visible section of Sariska’s inhabitants are its many birds- the park is home to India’s largest population of peafowl, and harbors quail, sand grouse, golden- backed woodpeckers and crested serpent eagles, among other species. The Siliserh Lake, on the edge of the park, has a large number of crocodiles. Like many of India’s other wildlife reserves, Sariska too has its own set of issues relating to poaching, pollution and conservation. Despite these problems, however, Sariska has endured. Local forest protection societies have been set up in neighboring villages, and efforts by regional NGOs have helped generate a certain level of interest among the decision- makers as well as the local villagers.

The Fort

The Fort also known as Bala Quila, is one of those very few forts in Rajasthan which were constructed before the rise of Mughals.This huge fort with its ramparts stretching 5 km form north to south and 1.6 km from east to west, stands 304 metres above the city and 595 metres above the sea level. Constructed before the rise of the Mughal Empire. Babar had spent a night at this for and took away the hidden treasures to gift to his son, Humayun. Akbar’s son, Jahangir had also stayed here for some time during his exile. The place where he stayed is called Salim Mahal. The fort was finally annexed by Maharaja Pratap Singh in 1775 A.D. It is a forbidding structure with 15 large and 51 small towers and 446 openings for musketry, along with 8 huge towers encompassing it. The fort has several gates-jai pole, Suraj pole, Laxman Pole, Chand Pole, Kishan Pole and Andheri Gate. Also there are remains of Jal Mahal, Nikumbh Mahal, Salim Sagar, Suraj Kund and many temples.
Unfortunately, As the fort now houses a radio transmitter station, special permission from the superintendent of police is required to see the Fort from inside.

City Palace or Vinay Vilas Mahal

City Palace or Vinay Vilas Mahal is the palace complex which is situate below the fort. An 18th century palace harmoniously blending the Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture. Its massive gates and its tank lined by a beautifully symmetrical chain of ghats with four pavilions on each side and two at each end. While the ground floors have been converted into government offices and district courts, the upper apartment is presently a museum. To gain the access to the tank and the cenotaph of Maharaja Bakhtawar Singh, take the steps on the far left when facing the palace. The attractions of the City Palace, Rajasthan include an artificial lake constructed by Maharaja Vinay Singh in 1815. There are also a number of temples on the banks of the lake. Inside the palace is a splendid chhatri, having Bengali roof and arches. It is known as Moosi Maharani ki chhatri. Located within this chattri is the Company garden, known as Purjan Vihar. The garden was built during the reign of Maharaja Shiv Dan Singh in the year 1868. Maharaja Mangal Singh made further additions to the garden in 1885. This garden is an ideal picnic spot in summers providing lush green surrounding, along with the cool shades of its numerous trees. On display in the museum are some ancient Mughal and Rajput painting dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. The museum also has a rich collection of some rare and antique Persian, Arabic, and Urdu and Sanskrit manuscripts. Amongst these manuscripts, the most prominent ones include Bostan (the garden of spring), Waqiat-e-Babri (Mughal Emperor Babar's autobiography) and Gulistan (the garden of roses). Other attractions of the museum consist of an array of Indian armory weapons and a copy of Mahabharata, painted by the artists of the Alwar School.

Purjan Vihar (Company Garden)

Purjan Vihar is also one of the major attractions of tours to Alwar, Rajasthan, India. A picturesque garden, laid out during the reign of Maharaja Shiv Dan Singh in 1868 A.D. The garden has an enchanting setting called ‘Shimla’ which was built by Maharaja Mangal Singh in 1885 A.D. The lush surrounding and the cool shades make it the idyllic visiting spot during summers. A marvelous chhatri with unusual Bengali roof and arches, also known as the Moosi Maharani Ki chhatri, is situated here. The garden was originally named Company Garden; later on Maharaja Jai Singh changed it to PURJAN VIHAR.

Exertions

Vijay Mandir Palace (10 km)

Vijay Mandir Palace built in 18th century; Vijay Mandir palace is a harmonious blend of the Rajput & Mughal architecture. A splendid palace, built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1918 AD. A picturesque lake overlooking the palace makes it a fascinating sight. This elaborate 105-roomed palace with a well laid garden and a rippling lake in the foreground was built by Maharaja Jai Singh, supposedly along the lines of a ship. The eccentric Jai Singh had some good ideas after all. But of course, if Jai Singh had given shape to something nice, his 'normal eccentricities’ couldn't be far behind. It so happened that the maharaja had earlier commissioned another palace, Yashwant Niwas. It was an elegant Italianate one. Fastidious as he was, Jai Singh decided at once that he didn't like it, and built the Vijay Mandir. At least he was quick to make decisions! A fabulous Sita Ram Temple in the palace attracts number of devotees, especially during Ramnavami. One needs prior permission from the Secretary to visit the palace.

Siliserh Lake Palace Hotel (13 km)

Siliserh is just the place for an idyllic stopover before you move on to Sariska Tiger Reserve. The reservoir was created by Maharaja Vinay Singh in 1844 so that the water could be channeled to Alwar; transfusing life into its barrenness. Vinay Singh named this new lake Siliserh in honor of his queen Seela, and also built her a small white palace set high upon a rise overlooking the waters. Siliserh grew into a favorite resort of the Alwar kings, particularly of the whimsical Maharaja Mangal Singh (1874-92).A beautiful spot like this would have a charming story bound to it. Once when Mangal Singh went hunting, he wandered into the nearby village of Kishanpur. There he fell in love with the beautiful Silika, daughter of the village chief. Mangal Singh and Silika were immersed in deep conversation when the girl's father came back. He was infuriated at the sight, and insisted that Mangal Singh marry his daughter. The king protested, but on a little more pressing he agreed. Rani Silika lived happily at the City palace in Alwar for sometime. But after the death of her child at birth, she wanted to go back to her parents in Kishangarh. The king thus prepared the Siliserh Palace for his queen to live near her parents. Silika lived in Siliserh for a few months, but soon died of a broken heart. You'll be so enchanted by its Arcadian ambience that you'll want to stay on for some more time. and for that, you have the lovely Siliserh Palace Hotel overlooking an even more beautiful lake which is a good 10.5 square km of twinkling ripples, surrounded by low, wooded hills. The chhatris (cenotaphs) of the palace have been converted into comfortable hotel rooms. One could spend hours by simply watching the waterfowl from the hotel's terrace. And true enough, Alwar's landscape bloomed with luxuriant gardens.

Jai Samand Lake(6 km)

A beautiful artificial lake constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1910 A.D. is a popular spot for outing and picnics. Jaisamand Lake is also known as Dhebar. During monsoon, sprawling greenery all around makes it a visual treat. Easily accessible by road from Alwar. It is the second biggest artificial lake of the world covering an area of 36sq km, was formed by a marble dam built across the Gomati River in the late 17th century. Canals carry water from the lake to villages in the western area. Statistics of the lake is really amazing-- 102 feet deep at its deepest end, a circumference of 30 miles with marble staircases leading into the water, 9 miles in breadth. There are seven islands on this lake. Two bigger islands are known as Babaka Bhagra and a smaller is called Piari. The size of the lake is--1202 feet long, 116 feet high and 70 feet broad at the base. It is large reservoir lake, in the southeastern Aravalli Range, south-central Rajasthan state, northwestern India. The northern end of the lake has a palace with a courtyard while its southern end has a pavilion of 12 pillars. The summer palaces of the Queens of Udaipur surround Jaisamand Lake on all sides, and it is a popular spot for outings and picnics. It is one of the largest lakes in Asia covering an area of 36sqkm. On the banks of lake are elegant marble steps descending to the water and a small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

How to reach Alwer

By Air: The nearest airport to Alwar is situated in Jaipur.

By Rail: You can find a train to Alwar from all the major cities of India. From Delhi, you can catch Shatabdi Express, Intercity Express and Mandore Express. Fairy Queen Express, the train that makes your trip a fairy tale experience, includes Alwar on its itinerary list.

By Road:Alwar is well connected by the network of roads to Delhi and all the major cities of Rajasthan.