Alwar is a beautiful heritage-rich city in the state of Rajasthan. It has always been a princely city even with records of it flourishing during the British rule. The city of Alwar is more than 1,000 year sold which makes it one of the oldest cities of India. It is believed that the Pandavas (from the epic Mahabharata), spent their 13th year of exile in this place.
This beautiful city boasts of some jaw-dropping examples of architecture. It has forts, temples and lakes scattered all around. Since some of these locations are so unique, Alwar has been bestowed with the title of “City of Marvels”. This place has a very royal outlook which attracts a lot of people every year. So, if you are looking for a different type of vacation to get a break from your usual busy life, Alwar should quench your thirst.
How to Get There
Alwar lies in a not so popular location because of which it has no connectivity by air. The train station of Alwar is connected to various parts of India. However, the best way to get to Alwar is by a road trip with family or friends. This small town is located 163 kilometers from Delhi and is well-connected by road to other nearby places like Jaipur too. The small distance makes it an easy getaway. Cabs, with experienced drivers can be rented easily for people not willing to drive down or wanting to enjoy the leisurely drive.
Best Time to Enjoy Alwar
Alwar is a typical desert city which is evident in its weather too. It witnesses unbearable summers that make it next to impossible to visit the place during the months of May to July. During the winters, the nights get very cold. However, despite that, the best months to visit Alwar are October to March when the days are cool and chilly nights can be overcome by adequate clothing.
What to Do
Alwar has a great variety of things that can be done. The places that can be visited here include something for everyone. Each of these spots are very different and a marvel in itself which rightfully makes Alwar a medley of marvels. From a long list, the following places fall under the category of ‘must visit’.
1. Alwar Fort – Standing high and mighty above the city, the Alwar Fort is one of the very few forts that were built before the Mughal annexation. Located on a hill, it is also known as Bala Quila in the local areas. To visit this Fort, one requires the permission of the superintendent of police which unsurprisingly, is not very hard to get. The Fort is over 5 kilometers long and has many historical artifacts which offer a great insight as to what this magnificent architectural marvel has endured.
2. Siliserh Lake – Alwar has many lakes out of which the Siliserh lake is the most popular one. It is a great picnic spot for the locals as well as visitors who want to have a peaceful time. The lake is surrounded by hills and is a very scenic location.
3. The Haunted Fort of Bhangarh – One of the most crowd pulling attractions of Alwar are the ruins of the Bhangarh Fort. This place has garnered fame by being proclaimed as the “Scariest Location of India”. In fact, a board has been put outside the entrance that bars tourists from entering the premises after sunset and before sunrise. It has a very amusing past and stories of black magic being the reason for the paranormal activities are very popular in the area. Even the village surrounding this fort has a story of 10,000 people disappearing mysteriously. This one is not for the faint-hearted people at all.
4. Sariska Tiger Reserve – The famous Sariska Tiger Reserve lies at a small distance of 40 kilometers from Alwar. This game sanctuary dates hundreds of years back and was once the personal hunting ground of the Kings of Alwar. It has a very rich and diversified flora and fauna which is home to a wide variety of wildlife species. The most popular animals in the region are tigers, leopards, nilgai and rare species of birds and monkeys. Taking a Safari is a must here for every nature lover and wildlife enthusiast.
5. Explore More – Alwar has many locations nearby where an excursion can be planned. Some of these popular places are Bikaner, Jaipur and Jodhpur. So if you have time on your side, planning a trip to any of these places would be a great idea.
Alwar Specialities
1. Shopping – Alwar is famous for its markets offering typical Rajasthani goods. The most popular buys from the area include colourful bangles, mojris and silver jewellery. It should be noted that the jewellery here is available at a very reasonable price and should be bargained for as the shopkeepers charge exorbitant prices.
2. Eating – This Rajasthani town offers a typical Rajasthani experience in terms of food for all the visitors. The dishes that are predominant here and known all over the world for their delicious taste are – Dal Bati Churma, various types of Rotis (Indian bread) and Garlic Chutney. The well known dessert, Milk Cake, is a local dish of this area and has earned Alwar a spot on the global map. Every single food item in the region makes one’s mouth water and is a treat for the taste buds.
3. Festivals – All the festivals of India are celebrated in great spirits by the people of Alwar. It boasts of some elaborate celebrations during the festivals of Holi and Diwali. Also, Rakshabandhan is celebrated differently by flying kites. The Alwar Festival is a local event which takes place every year in the month of February. It is a three day event which comprises of never-ending folk dance and music. The whole town is decorated during this period and visiting Alwar during this time is a great spectacle.
Hence, Alwar is a great place to visit for all those who are not interested in escaping to hill stations or such scenic locations. It offers a great experience with marvelous locations to be explored.
Trackbacks
http://www.nativeplanet.com/alwar/
www.tourismguideindia.com › West India
http://wikitravel.org/en/Alwar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alwar
http://www.indianholiday.com/weekend-getaways/short-trip-alwar.html
