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Alwar is
referred as the gateway to the historic and colorful
state of Rajasthan. Alwar is located in the north
eastern part of Rajasthan at an altitude of 237 meters
above sea level. It covers an area of 44.76 square km.
It lies 170 km south of Delhi and is about 150 km from
Jaipur. It is flanked by the barren hills of the Aravali
range. Alwar has its own heritage, which goes back to
the mythological legends of the Mahabharata. Alwar has
had a chequered history and has been a witness to many
rules and rulers. It offers the traveler various sites
of historical importance. The climate of Alwar is
temperate. Summers are hot but the winters are cool and
pleasant.
During the
summers the temperature is around 41.8º Celsius and
during winters it is around 5º Celsius. So the best time
to visit this place is from September to February.
Hindi, Rajasthani, Marwari and English are the common
languages which are spoken here. |
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History
of Alwar |
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Once an ancient Rajput state, formerly known as Mewar, Alwar was nearest to the imperial Delhi. The people of the state did not accept any external interferences and daringly resisted all foreign invasions. In the 12th and 13th centuries, they formed a group and raided Delhi. But finally, Sultan Balban (1267 AD - 1287 AD) suppressed them, bringing the area under the Muslim rule.
In 1771 AD, Maharaja Pratap Singh, a Kuchhwaha Rajput belonging to the clan of Jaipur’s rulers, won back Alwar and founded a principality of his own.
Apart from its long history, the city has a rich natural heritage with some beautiful lakes and picturesque valleys thickly wooded in
parts. |
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Tourist Attractions of Alwar |
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main tourist attraction of Alwar is City Palace or Vinay Vilas
Mahal. The other main attraction is Sariska National Park in
Sariska. Sariska was once the hunting reserve of the Maharajas
of Alwar. The main fauna in the Sariska National Park are the
Tiger, Leopard, Panther, Hyena, Jungle Cat, Civet, Sambhar,
Chinkara, Nilgai, Porcupine and Four-Horned Antelope. |
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How to get there |
By Air:
The nearest airport to Alwar is Jaipur which is about 148 km.
By Rail:
Alwar is on the broad gauge network of the western Railways. It has convenient connections from Delhi and
Jaipur. An exciting and exotic train runs from Delhi to Alwar. It is the famous Fairy Queen, which is the oldest running steam locomotive in the world. The hospitality and the luxury of this
train are exceptional. It takes about 3-4 hours to reach Alwar. One can enjoy the scenery of the surroundings en route.
By Road:
Alwar is well connected by road to the various parts of Rajasthan. Regular bus service operates between
Alwar and major cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Kota, Udaipur, Jaisalmer,
Jodhpur and Ajmer. |
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Map
of Alwar |
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Alwar City Tour
3 Days / 2
Nights
Jaipur
- Alwar - Jaipur |
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Alwar is referred as the gateway to the historic and colorful state of
Rajasthan. Alwar is located in the north eastern part of Rajasthan at an
altitude of 237 meters above sea level. It covers an area of 44.76 square
km. It lies 170 km south of Delhi and is about 148 km from Jaipur. It is
flanked by the barren hills of the Aravali range. The climate of Alwar is
temperate. Summers are hot but the winters are cool and pleasant. So the
best time to visit Alwar is from September to February. In Alwar there are
various sites of historical importance. Alwar city tour will take you to
these historical places like Vinai Vilas City Palace, Yashwant Niwas and
even to the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary.
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Day 01: Jaipur - Alwar
(about 148 km)
Arrival at Jaipur
airport or railway station. After arrival in Jaipur drive to Alwar.
Upon arrival in Alwar, you will be transferred to the hotel. Rest of the
day at leisure.
Day 02: Alwar
Today we have full day sightseeing in Alwar. We will visit the Vinai Vilas
City Palace. This palace has a fine museum with more than 7000
manuscripts, miniature paintings in both Mughal and Rajasthani style,
armour, textiles and musical instruments. We will also visit the Yashwant
Niwas. It is a palace built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the Italian style. In
the evening we will visit the Siliserh
Lake.
Day 03: Alwar - Jaipur
(about 148 km)
After having breakfast drive to Jaipur. Enroute we visit the Sariska
wildlife sanctuary. In the evening transfer to the airport or railway
station.
Inclusions:
Standard
Rooms on twin sharing basis.
Breakfast
in the Hotel.
Driver allowances.
Toll Tax and Parking.
Hotel Transfer at all places.
Vehicle
Insurance included.
Petrol/Gas cost included.
All
Transfers and departures on arrival and departure by Indo
Vacations
representative.
All
Transfers and Sightseeing throughout the tour by an
individual air-conditioned
vehicle (car/Jeep etc.) with driver (reliable,
experienced and English speaking- have
a
look at the references
on our website from all over the world).
Exclusions:
Any
Kind of Personal Expenses such as Tips, Laundry, Telephone
Bills and Alcoholic
beverages.
Entrance/administrative
fees.
Camera
fees (still or movie).
Unspecified
meal etc.
International
or Domestic Flights.
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We
always look forward for any changes in the
itinerary as wished by you for your individual
trip. |
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Major
Tourist Attractions in Alwar |
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Bala
Quila (Fort) |
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The "Bala
Quila" or the Bala Fort is perched on the
most prominent hill of Aravallis range which explains
the tales of the rich history of the city. It is the
massive medieval fort with 15 large and 51 small towers,
446 openings for musketry and 8 huge towers and rises
about 3000 m above the city. This fort is also known as
the Kunwara Kila. This huge fort is famous for its
history, which predates the Mughal rulers. It runs 5 km
from north to south, and nearly 2 km from east to west.
Some of the Mughal rulers are reported to have stayed
there before it reverted back to the Rajput rulers in
the 18th century. The fort is circumscribed with several
gates known as Pols. A few of which are named after
various personalities. e.g. Jai Pol, Laxman Pol, Suraj
Pol.
In this fort the Mughal Emperor Babur decided to make a
night halt here, but succumbing to innate greed, he
raided the hidden treasures in the toshakhana and took
the booty home to shower on his son Humayun. Salim Mahal,
which lies in ruins now, is said to have been the palace
where Prince Salim — later the Mughal Emperor Jehangir —
spent his three-year exile.
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City
Palace |
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Also known
as Vinay Vilas Mahal, is the palace complex situated
just below the fort but some of it has been converted
into Government offices. Vinay Vilas Mahal was built by
Maharaja Vinay Singh. This palace dates back to the 18th
century and is a blend of Rajput and Mughal
architecture.
A part of the complex houses the museum where a rich
part of it's history has been preserved. In the gilded
Durbar Hall at the City Palace there is a raised
platform upon which rests a gold and velvet throne.
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On the walls
and ceiling you would be able to discover a fabulous wealth
of murals and mirror work. The City Museum, located on the
upper floors of the Palace has a splendid range of miniature
paintings of the Alwar School. The colors in the paintings
are as fresh and vibrant as ever. In the museum there is the
unusual silver table which used to entertain the nobility of
the Rajera and also the vast collection of armory. |
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Purjan Vihar (Company Garden) |
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Built
during the reign of Maharaja Shiv Dan Singh in 1868,
Purjan Vihar is also known as the Company Gardens. This
scenic garden serves as a popular picnic spot during
summers. One of the most attractive features of the
garden is setting known as Shimla. It was built by
Maharaja Mangal Singh to provide cool shades as a relief
from the scorching summer heat. |
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Museums
in Alwar |
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Alwar
Government Museum:
The government museum is housed in the old City Palace.
This museum has a unique collection of arms, lacquered
brassware and ivory work items, musical instruments,
stuffed animals, pottery works, miniature paintings and
Persian and Sanskrit manuscripts. The museum is divided
into three major sections, each housed in a big hall. |
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Virat
Nagar Museum |
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In the epic
period, the area around the district of Jaipur, Alwar and
Bharatpur came to be known as Matsyadesh with Virat Nagar as its
capital. Frequent references of Matsyadesh have been made in the
Indian epic-the Mahabharat. The Virat Nagar museum has the
richest collection of excavated material like potteries,
paintings, old coins, seals, metallic pieces, weapons and
statues. |
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Sariska
National Park |
Sariska
National park is one of the India’s most exciting
wildlife reserves. Sariska National Park lies in the
Aravalli hills and spread over a core area of 498 square
km. This park can be easily reached from Alwar, Delhi
and Jaipur and about 40 km from Alwar and 107 km from
Jaipur. Once, Sariska was the hunting ground of the
Maharajas of Alwar, but later became a wildlife
sanctuary in 1958 by the government of India. In 1979,
it was brought under the Project Tiger and was given a
status of national park in 1982.
The landscape in Sariska comprises of low hills, wide
valleys, steep escarpment, hill plateaus and narrow
valleys of the Aravali hill range. The topography
supports scrub-thorn arid forests, dry deciduous
forests, rocks and grasses. The major plants that one
can find here are dhok, khair, tendu and ber. The plants
remain lush and green during the monsoon and summers.
Today, Sariska is a major milk producing region, and
cattle have crowded the forestlands and pastures around
the park, so that the population of wildlife has shrunk
to the limits of the park alone. Human population and
the presence of religious spots around and inside the
park have further led to the deterioration of the
environment. |
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Major
Attractions in the Sariska National Park |
The Sariska
National Park is known for its tigers. According to the latest
available data, there are about 35 tigers in the park here.
Besides tiger, Sariska has a very good population of Sambhar,
Chital, Nilgai, Leopard, Jackal, Hyena, Wild dog, Four-horned
Antelope, Wild Boar, Common Langur, Caracal, Jungle Cat,
Porcupines and Crocodiles. Water holes have also been created at
various spots in the sanctuary. These water holes are now acting
as the nerve centers of the sanctuary and various animals can be
easily seen here during summers. Various tourists often gather
at the hides located close to the waterholes to view and
photograph the animals. Besides animals various birds can also
be seen in Sariska National Park like Grey Partridges,
White-breasted Kingfisher, Golden-backed woodpecker, Peacock,
Red Spurfowl, Pigeons, Quails, Sand Grouses, Parakeets, Kites,
Eagle. Owl and Vultures.
The Sariska National Park offers a wide range of activities such
as a jungle safari in and around the park in the mornings and
evenings, observing the wildlife at the waterholes, or
photographing wildlife from the many hideouts provided in the
park.
Best Time to Visit :The
sanctuary can be visited throughout the year except during July
and August when animals move to higher ground. The best season
to visit the park is from November to June. June is the best
month for game viewing. The best way to visit the Sariska
Wildlife Sanctuary is either by having a Jeep Safari or Canter
Safari |
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Other Attractions in
Sariska National Park |
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There
are also historical ruins and monuments within Sariska which are the
symbol of the rich past of Alwar. Various ancient temples and forts
are also situated within the premises of the park.
Kanakwari Fort: Among the historic landmarks located within the
Sariska national park, includes the Kanakwari Fort. This is the fort
where Emperor Aurangzeb once imprisoned his brother, Dara Shikoh. The
Kanakwadi fort also had links with Mughal history. Now overgrown with
weeds and shrubs, it stands majestically on a hill overlooking the
Kanakwadi plateau.
Ancient Shiva Temple: Within the area of the Sanctuary,
Neelkanth temple, that belongs from the 6th to 13th century AD, now in
ruins, afford a wonderful sight to the visitors. This ancient medieval
temple is dedicated to the Lord Shiva.
Sariska Palace: Sariska was known as the royal reserve of the
rulers of Alwar. The Sariska Palace was built by the Maharajas of
Alwar and this palace has now been converted into a heritage hotel.
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Excursions from Alwar |
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Neemrana Fort Palace
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Neemrana Fort is located
in village Neemrana of the Alwar district. Neemrana Fort Palace is
among the India's oldest heritage resorts which was built in the year
1464 AD. It is sited on a majestic plateau, concealed in a horseshoe
formation of the billion year old Aravalli ranges.
Siliserh Lake: Siliserh Lake, an idyllic picnic spot is situated
about 13 km south west of Alwar. The shimmering Siliserh lake covers
an area of 10.5 square km. This lake is surrounded by thick wooded
hills with beautiful chhatris on the embankment. This lake was once a
source of the Alwar's water supply and various fishes and water birds
can be seen in this lake. Situated between the Aravalis and
overlooking the lake is the magnificent royal hunting lodge or
Siliserh lake palace. This lake palace was built by Maharaja Vinay
Singh in 1845 AD for his queen Shila. This palace has now been
converted into a heritage hotel. This lake offers boating and sailing
facilities and is a delightful spot for various photographers and film
makers.
Vijay Mandir Palace -
Situated just 10km from Alwar this is a royal
residence, built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1819. A splendid temple of
Sita Ram is situated here which is visited by large number of devotees
on the occasion of Ramnavmi.
Bhartrihari Temple - The
Bhartrihari temple is a prominent pilgrimage center. There is a
cenotaph of the legend associated the place with King Bhartrihari, who
abandoned the world 21 centuries ago. He roamed about in these parts
in penance and even has his cenotaph here. Every year a fair is
organized at the temple in the months of September/October. |
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