Alwar

         The Tiger Gate of The Rajasthan

Sariska, Alwar.

 150 Km from Jaipur and 170 Km. From Delhi, Alwar is nested between a cluster of small hills of the Aravalli range. Perched on the most prominent of these hills is a massive ancient fort that whispers tales of the rich history of the city.

Once an ancient Rajput state, formerly known as Mewat, Alwar was nearest to the imperial Delhi. The people of the state did not accept any external interference’s and daringly resisted against foreign invasions. In the 12^th and 13^th centuries, they formed a group and raded Delhi. But finally Sultan Bulban (1267 A.D - 1287 A.D) suppressed them, bringing the area under the Muslims rule.

In 1771 A.D. Maharaja Pratap Singh, a Kuchhwaha Rajput belonging to the clan of Jaipur’s rulers, won back Alwar and founded a principality of his own.

Sagar,Alwar.

Apart from its long history, the city has a rich natural heritage with some beautiful lakes and picturesque valleys thickly wooded in parts.

Some of the finest variety of birds and animals are spotted here. Alwar has one of the finest wild life sanctuaries in Rajasthan-Sarika, which is an excellent tiger sanctuary.

• THE FORT : 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 for 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.

  City Palace,Alwar.

• City Palace or Vinay Vilas Mahal : An 18^th century palace harmoniously blending the Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture. While the ground floors have been converted into government offices and district courts , the upper apartment is presently a museum.

• Government Museum : The museum has the finest collection of Mughal and Rajput painting dating back to the 18^th and 19^th centuries and some rare ancient manuscripts in Persian, Arabic, Urdu and Sanskrit. ‘Gulistan’ (the garden of roses) , Waqiat-I-Babri’ (autobiography of Mughal emperor Babar) and Bostan (the garden of spring) are some of the notable ones amongst the collection. It also has the copy of the great epic ‘Mahabharata’ painted by the artists of the Alwar school. A rich collection of the Indian armoury are among other exhibits of the museum. Timings 10.00 hrs. to 17.00 hrs. (closed on Fridays and gazetted holidays. Free entry on Monday.)

  Behind the City Palace is an artificial lake built in 1815 A.D. by Maharaja Vinay Singh with few temples along its banks. A marvellous chhatri with unusual Bengali roof and arches, also known as the Moosi Maharani ki chhatri, is situated in this are Purjan Vihar (Company Garden) : A picturesque garden,laid out during the reign of Maharaja Shiv Dan Singh in 1868 A.D. The garden has an enchanting settign 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.

EXUCRSIONS

• Vijai Mandir Palace(10 km) : A splendid palace, built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1918 A. D. picturesque lake overlooking the palace makes it a fascinating sight.

• 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): An idyllic picnic spot with enchanting landscape of wooded hills and beautiful chhatris on the embankment of the 10.5 sq. km placid lake. A magnificient royal palace and the hunting lodge, built by Maharaja Vinay Singh in 1845 A. D. for his queen Shila stands overlooking the lake. Now converted as the Hotel Lake Palace,it offers boating and sailing facilities and is a delight for the trigger-happy phjotographers and fil makers.

• 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. During monsoons,sprawling greenery all around makes it a visual treat. Easily accessible by road from Alwar.

  Tigers Wildlife Sanctury Sariska, Alwar.

• Sariska (37 km): The 765.80 sq. km. Thickly wooded reserve cradled in the picturesque valley of the Aravalis. Established in 1955, it is an excellent tiger sancturary under the Project Tiger. The dry decidous forests of the Reserve are noted for their population of tiger,nilgai,sambhar, cheetal, four horned antelope and wild boar.

  Sariska Palace,Alwar.

• Sariska Palace : A marvellous palace was built here by Maharaja Jai Singh in the honour of the Duke of Edinburgh during his visit to the sancturary.Presently, it has been converted into a hotel- Sariska Palace. RTDC Hotel Tiger Den also offers excellent accommodation at Sariska. The best time to drive in the sanctuary is from till sunset.

  Entry fee : Per head Rs.25/- Rs.5/-
  Still camera: Rs.10/- Rs.2/- 8 mm
  Movie camera: Rs.50/- Rs.50/- 16 mm
  Movie Camera: Rs.100/- Rs.100/-
  Vehicle Entry Fee: Bus Rs.100/-; Mini Bus Rs.50/-;Diesel Jeep Rs.100/-; Petrol Jeep or Car Rs.75/-. Jeeps are available on hire at the RTDC Hotel Tiger Den.
  Charges: Rs.400/- Per Jeep (upto 5 persons), extra person-Rs.50/- per head.
  Night halt in the sanctuary is allowed only after obtaining prior permissison from the Field Director,Sariska Tiger Reserve(In special cases only)

• Air : Delhi 163 km is the nearest airport.

• Rail : Important train connections are :
  Shatabdi Express(New Delhi-Alwar_Ajmer);
  Superfast Express (New Delhi-Alwar-Ajmer);
  Intercity Express (Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Alwar-Jaipur);
  Marudhar Express (Varanasi-Alwar-Jodhpur);
  Mandore Express (Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Alwar-Jodhpur).
  Railway Enquiry 22222
  Rail reservation time: 8 am. To 8 pm. (Sunday 8 am. To 2 pm.)
• Road : Regular services link Alwar with key destinations in and not far off Rajasthan and Delhi.
  Roadways Enquiry 22285
• Local Transport : Unmetered Auto-rickshaws,cycle-rickshaws and tongas.

WHERE TO STAY (ACCOMODATION)

• HERITAGE HOTELS

  • Sariska Palace, Sariska 41322
    

  • Neemrana Fort Palace 01494 - 6005
    
  • Hill Fort Kesroli, Delhi Road 81312

• RTDC HOTELS

  • Hotel Meenal 22991, 22852

  • Hotel Tiger Den, Sariska 41 - 342
  • Lake Palace, Siliserh 86322
  • Midway Behror 01494 - 20049

• RESTAURANTS

  • South Indian Cafe . Opp. Gopal Cinema 23217
    

  • Siddharth Restaurant . Opp. Company Garden 23848
    
  • Prem Pavutra Bhojnalaya 20168,24184

BANKS / MONEY CHANGERS

• State Bank of India, Mahal Chowk 21448

• Bank of Baroda, Hope Circus 20138
• State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur 20964

ROAD DISTANCES TO SOME IMPORTANT TOURIST CENTRES

Deeg 76 km
Dhaulpur 230 km via Deeg,Bharatpur
Mumbai 1434 kms via Bharatpur, Agra, Indore, Nasik
Calcutta 1444 kms via Bharatpur, Agra, Allahabad, Asansol, Burdwan
Delhi 170 kms via Sohna, Gurgaon
Chennai 2221 kms via Agra, Jhansi, Hyderabad, Nellore
Agra 166 kms via Deeg, Bharatpur
Ahmedabad 874 kms via Jaipur, Abu Road, Palanpur
Ajmer 281 kms via Jaipur
Bharatpur 116 kms via Deeg
Bikaner 472 kms via Jaipur, Sikar, Fatehpur, Ratangarh
Bundi 346 kms via Jaipur, Tonk, Devli
Chittaurgahr 468 kms via Jaipur, Ajmer, Bhilwara
Gwalior 286 kms via Bharatpur, Agra, Dholpur
Jaipur 148 kms via Thanagazi, Bairath, Shahpura
Jaisalmer 782 kms via Jaipur, Jodhpur
Jodhpur 483 kms via Jaipur
Mathura 158 kms via Deeg, Goverdhan
Mt. Abu 656 kms via Jaipur, Ajmer, Beawar, Bar, Sojat, Pali, Sanderap,

SHOPPING

• Jewellery and other handicraft items.
• A sweetmeat speciality made of milk Alwar Mawa is not to be missed.
  Markets areas are Hope Circus,Bajaja Bazar,Sarrafa Bazar,Mala Khera Bazar,Kedalganj Bazar.

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

• Tourist Information Centre: Toruist Office,Opp. Company Garden,Nehru Bal Vihar,Tel.;21868.
  

• Guides: For approved guides,contact Tourist Office,Tel.;21868.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Area : 44.76 sq. km.
  

• Climate : Mean Max. Mean Min.
  
• Summer : 37.0 degree C 24.0 degree C
  
• Winter : 31.0 degree C 11.0 degree C
  
• Rainfall : 62 cms.
  
• Best Season : September-February
  
• Clothing : Summer Light Tropical
  
• Winter Light wollen
  
• Languages : Rajasthani, Hindi, English.