Alwar
Distance from
Jaipur 108
Overview
Prettily situated amidst the craggy and jagged rocks, Alwar in the Aravalli region presents a beautiful mix of different traditions. This hilly terrain in the state of Rajasthan possesses a rich history, which dates back to 1500 BC. This rock fringed tiny locale presents a pebbly as well as a verdant landscape. Formerly known as Mewat, Alwar gained as remarkable seat of art and culture under the patronage of Maharaja Pratap Singh. Like all the princely states of that time, this strong hold of the Rajputs also came under the British rule and remained as the same till India got freedom.
Alwar, a city of majestic monuments and panoramic destinations captivates the tourist with its alluring appeal. This small town, imbibed in the rich cultural heritage provides a great time of good holidaying. Naturally adorned with pretty water bodies and abundant wild life this has always been listed as one of the prominent locations in the tourist's itineraries.
One among the mesmerizing feature of this picturesque town is the alluring journey in the fairy queen through the length and breadth of the town. The gorgeous valleys and stunning facades look more marvelous when watched through the minuscule glass windows of the moving train.
Alwar was a bustling centre of bookish activities, which gave birth to a number of scholarly persons. The shopping buffs can try their luck in the local markets where they would be provided with a variety of artifacts ranging from colourful bangles to double dyed saris. Roaming through the old boulevards of this historic town would definitely fetch one with unforgettable memories.
Attraction
City Palace: Built in 1793 AD by Raja Bhaktawar Singh, the City Palace was built in the Rajput and Mughal styles. The architecture of the city palace consists of marble pavilions with bases made of lotus flower in the large central courtyard.
There is a collection of various artworks, trinkets, the Maharaja's personal belongings, emerald cut drinking cup, etc. Most of the articles from the collection have been shifted into the museum and the palace houses the District Collectorate and many other government offices.
Government Museum: The Government Museum in Alwar has a widespread collection of the history of the region, which was ruled by Mughal and Rajput kings.
Paintings and writings on palm leaves by kings and scholars can be seen in the museum. The battles and the weaponry used in them have been depicted in paintings and drawings and there is also a collection of weapons used in those days.
Various kinds of Persian and Sanskrit manuscripts, musical instruments, bidri work, stuffed animals, miniature paintings, pottery and brass work, etc. which have been brought from far off places like Ceylon and Bengal can be seen in the Government Museum. Ivory work and lacquered sculptures are also some of the collections.
The Government Museum was formed post independence by converting a part of the City Palace, which also houses a number of items from the palace itself.
Bala Quila: Bala Quila meaning the 'young fort', also known as the Alwar Fort, is a large fort, over a hill top. From the city centre, the fort is located at a distance of 595 m and is clearly visible from the city.
The extension of the fort from north to south and from east to west is 5 km and 2 km, respectively. Bala Quila consists of 15 large towers and 51 small towers. There are 446 holes for firing guns..
Apart from the large masonry works, the fort has many other structures inside it such as the Nikumbha Mahal Palace, which is built of Bengal caned marble pillars and balconies with lattice designs.
There are 6 gates, namely Jai Pol, Laxman Pol, Suraj Pol, Chand Pol, Andheri Gate and Krishna Gate. These gates are named after famous personalities. Built from the era before the Mughal rule in India, the fort has a lot of history associated with.
Siliserh Lake: Spread over an area of 7 sq km, the Siliserh Lake forms the backdrop of Siliserh Palace, which has presently been converted into a heritage hotel. Built in 1845 AD by Maharaja Vinay Singh, the Siliserh Lake has a number of domed cenotaphs. Lot of migratory birds arrive at the Siliserh Lake which is located within the forested inclines of the Aravalli Hills.
Fishing in the lake is a major activity. From the balcony of the palace hotel, the lake can be seen sprawling across a wide expanse. During the days of the maharajas, the garden palace of Maharaja Vinay Singh was watered with the waters from Siliserh Lake through long pipes. The lake is situated at a distance of 13 km from Alwar.
Vinay Vilas Palace: Vinay Vilas Palace, also known as the Garden Palace, was built by Maharaja Vinay Singh as his residence. The palace has an architecture which reflects the combination of Mughal and Rajasthani styles. Located near the fort of Alwar, this place also has a huge garden which was watered by the waters of the Siliserh Lake.
Durbar Hall is said to the most exquisitely carved structure in the palace, which was the citadel where the Alwar kings met their visitors. There are many frescos inside the adjoining rooms, which require permission to see. The Women’s Chamber is one of the other places which are visited by tourists.
Moosi Maharani ki Chhatri: Moosi Maharani Ki Chhatri is a tomb of Maharaja Bhaktawar Singh and his queen Rani Moosi, which was built by Maharaja Vinay Singh. This tomb is built on pillared sandstone.
The elephant structured design is the special feature of the tomb. The cenotaph is made in the Indo-Islamic architectural style which was the prevalent design at the time. Designs include floral tracery, marbled and columned pavilion and domed arches.
Gold leaf paintings and sculptures are filled in the ceiling and paintings from mythology and court scenes are aplenty. The Chhatri is located in a surrounding full of greenery and variety of flowers in the garden which is located on the banks of Lake Sagar.
How to reach
By Air: The nearest airport from Alwar is Jaipur. Jaipur is well connected to all the major cities which includes Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Jodhpur, Udaipur. Recently, flights to Dubai has also started from Ajmer by Indian Airlines and Delhi airport is the 163 Km away from Alwar.
By Road: Alwar is well connected by road to major cities in India. Excellent road network serves people to enjoy a comfortable journey to and from Alwar. This mode of traveling is quite easy and comparatively cheap. Regular bus services from nearby cities connect Alwar to the other cities. Deluxe Buses, AC coaches and Government buses are available for the convenience of the passengers.
By Train: Alwar is well connected to other cities of Rajasthan by rail.There are numerous trains which run on a regular basis to and from Jaipur. Shatabadi Express, Jammu- Delhi Express and Intercity Express connects Alwar to Delhi and Jaipur. There is also the Mandore Express that runs between Delhi and Jodhpur.
