Tourist Places in Alwar

Alwar is one of Rajasthan's oldest cities, and it traces its roots back to 1500 BCE. Its ancient name was Salva or Salwa, based on the tribal community that inhabited the region; it was a part of the Matsya Kingdom. The Matya Kingdom was one of the 16 Mahajanpadas. Alwar is where the mighty heroes of the Mahabharata, the Pandavas, spent the final years of their 13-year banishment. Over time, Alwar was ruled by different Rajput clans, including the Nikumbh, the Khanzada Rajput, the Badgujar Rajput, and the Naruka (Kachwaha) Rajputs. The region was also ruled by Marathas for a brief period, after which it went under the control of the Mughals.

Alwar was established as a princely state in the colonial era by a Kachwaha Rajput, Pratap Singh. From 1770 onwards till independence, it remained under the control of the Britishers. Following the independence of India in 1947, it acceded to the Republic of India. Later, it was incorporated into the National Capital Region (NCR) to accelerate its development.

The present-day Alwar echoes its rich historical past and has become a popular tourist spot in the country. It flaunts its various forts, palaces and lakes from an epoch long gone, attracting lacs of people every year. Here is a list of tourist places that can be relished in this small yet beautiful place-

1. Bhangarh Fort

Bhangarh fort is located amidst the Aravalli range, and it falls on the border of Sariska reserve. This Fort city is famous for its historical ruins and the legends of ghosts. Bhangarh is popularly viewed as one of the spookiest places in the entire country. Bhangarh Fort is a 17th Century fort located in Rajasthan's Alwar district. Bhagwant Das constructed it in honour of the son of his Madho Singh I. Later on, Madho Singh named this fort 'Bhangarh' after his grandfather's name- Man Singh or Bhan Singh.

Entering through the main gate of this ruined Fort will give you an eerie vibe; at the same time, your curiosity to explore the place will also escalate. You can find temples like Hanuman Temple, Gopinath Temple, Someshwar Temple, and Havelis and palaces inside the fort premises. There are numerous Hindu temples located at the entrance to the gate. The Palace of the royal family is situated near the limit within the Fort. The tale of the beautiful princess Ratnawati will surely capture your attention, but for that, you'll have to visit the place. People say her soul still wanders around the place! Perhaps, that's why the timings are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The entry fee of Bhangarh fort

• For Foreigners: Rs. 200/-
• For Indians: Rs.25/-
• Video Camera fees: Rs.200/-

2. Bala Quila Fort

Bala Quila Fort, also known as the Alwar Fort, is located in the Aravalli ranges. Its construction took place in the 15th Century under Hasan Khan Mewati. Since then, it has been administrated by various kingdoms, including the Marathas, the Yadavas, and the Kachwaha Rajputs. 'Bala Quila' translates to 'Young Fort'. The only metalled road connecting the fort to the city of Alwar is the 'Laxman Pole'. Silver pages in history declare that Pratap Singh, the founder of the Alwar state, could only enter the Fort via this route.

In 1775, A.D. Kachhwaha Rajput Pratap Singh seized the Fort and established the city of Alwar. The Fort is situated on a cliff with an elevation of 300 m providing a magnificent panorama of the Alwar city. The entry fee is Rs. 10/- for Indian adults, Rs. 5/- for Indian children and Rs. 100/- for foreigners. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all days of the week.

3. Siliserh Lake Palace

Siliserh Lake Palace is situated on the border of Siliserh lake, a serene water body overlooking the mountain range of Aravalli. This impressive tourist attraction is spread over an area of 7 square kilometres. Alwar was once a Rajput state that was previously named Mewat. This stunning palace was built in 1845 by the ruler of Alwar, Maharaja Vinay Singh, along the banks of Siliserh Lake for his beloved wife, Shila. This Palace was initially constructed as a lodge for the royal family for hunting purposes and for residing. Later, it was transformed into a palace.

Siliserh Lake is a renowned place to picnic in the region. Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) recently transformed it into a heritage hotel. Activities like boating and fishing draw a large crowd. Peak season can give you a glimpse of some beautiful birds that migrate here. It is located 16 kilometres from Alwar city and is easily accessible. It is a great place to cool off Rajasthan's summer heat!

4. Sariska National Park

Sariska National Park, or the Sariska Tiger Reserve, is spread over an area of 881 square kilometres, covered with deciduous forests, cliffs, grasslands and rocky landscapes. In the past, the Maharaja of Alwar used this place as his hunting ground. After the enactment of the Wildlife Protection Act in 1972 and Project Tiger in 1973, this region was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1958 and a National Park in 1982. It is mainly home to the endangered species of Royal Bengal Tigers. Still, a variety of other animals, including leopard, sambhar, chital, nilgai, four-horned antelope, hyena, and jungle cats, can be found here. Out of the total 211 bird species that have been recorded in reserve, 120 are residents, 73 are migrants, and 18 are considered to be vagrants. Peafowl, white-rumped vulture, grey francolin, Aravalli red spurfowl, painted spurfowl etc, make up the avian population of this region.

You can enjoy this wilderness through Safaris along with tour guides. You can click amazing pictures amidst the greenery. It is a must-visit place for nature-lovers, wildlife-lovers and explorers. Each expedition is 3 hours long, and each trip will take at least 6 people. It is available in the morning from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and in the afternoon from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

5. Moti Dungri

The water of communal hatred has not yet infiltrated the soil of this place. It is one of the rare shrines in India where Hindus and Muslims worship together. On the one hand, is the Sankat Mochan Vir Hanuman Mandir, and on the other, Sayyed Darbar. There is no wall separation between the two. One can hear the air filled with soothing Bhajans on Thursday mornings while the evenings mesmerise everyone with Qawwalis. The fragrances of camphor, ghee and lobaan are infused together. The unfurling of Saffron, Green and Tricolour flags together reminds everyone of how there is strength in unity. It is indeed a delightful sight!

There is Moti Dungri Palace situated on Moti Dungri Hill. Maharaja Mangal Singh constructed it in 1882. It also used to be the residence of Rajmata Gayatri Devi. There is a Laxminarayan temple and a Ganesh temple inside the palace premises. On average, it takes around 1-2 hours to explore the entire place. Timings are between 10:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

6. City Palace, Alwar

This magnificent Fort was built in the 18th Century and is located at the foothills of the Aravalli mountains, just below Bala Quila. The architecture here is a blend of Rajput and Mughal designs. An artificial lake is located near City Palace. Maharaja Vinay Singh constructed it in 1815. Vinay Vilas Mahal is home to an elevated pavilion shaped like a door which illustrates the Rajput kingdoms' pride and honour.

The ground floor is currently used as the office for governmental purposes. While the other floors were transformed into a historic museum by Maharaja Tej Singh Prabhakar Bahadur, the last ruling king in Alwar, in 1940. You will find many treasures such as armour, furniture, and manuscripts. This Fort is the only place where you can see the opulence of Rajput and Mughal monarchs. The City Palace is a must-see on any Alwar tour. The entry fee is Rs. 5/- for Indians and Rs. 50/- for foreigners. The time required to explore the entire Palace is 2-3 hours.

7. Hill Fort-Kesroli

Kesroli Hill Fort was constructed in the 14th Century by Yaduvanshi Rajputs. Since then, it has been conquered by Mughals, Jats and finally, the Rajputs. The Fort is now a 31-room heritage hotel with turrets, ramparts and beautiful verandahs. The Neemrana group of hotels manages it. Being one of the best heritage hotels in India, this is surely an amazing destination for a weekend getaway and more. The Rajasthani d�cor in the rooms would transport you to the royal times, giving you princely vibes. Also, the place offers you a beautiful garden where you can sit and relax, enjoying the charm of the Palace. There is a terrace pool with sundecks from where you can have the most exotic view of the surrounding mustard fields and Aravalli hills.

The Fort also hosts weddings, birthday parties, anniversary parties, conferences, and any occasion you want to make memorable. The place has no entry fee, and room tariffs are between Rupees 3000/- to 7000/-.

8. Vijay Mandir Palace

Maharaja Jai Singh Prabhakar built this Palace in 1918 as his royal residence. His passion for art and architecture is evident in this splendid Palace. It is situated at a distance of approximately 9 kilometres from the centre of Alwar city. Comprising 105 rooms which are well-ornamental, this Palace is surrounded by flourishing green gardens and a picturesque lake. There is a Sita-Ram Temple on the palace premises that devotees visit throughout the year. However, it remains the most crowded at the time of Ramnavami. The total time to explore this place is about 1-2 hours. Although there is no entry fee, one needs prior permission from the Maharaja of Alwar, who resides in New Delhi.

9. Rani Moosi Ki Chhatri

It is Raja Bakhtawar Singh and Rani Moosi's cenotaph. With its graceful sandstone formations and canopies made of white marble, it sets a wonderful example of 19th-century Rajputana architecture. It was built in 1815 by Vinay Singh as a tribute to the late king and his queen. The tomb is named after the queen probably because she committed 'Sati' (self-immolation) on her husband's pyre, which was considered heroic and brave in those times. However, the practice of 'Sati' was abolished later.

This epic monument is located next to the Alwar Museum. Its interior is covered with mythological paintings, carved floral patterns and frescos. In Rajput architecture, Chhatris are commonly used to depict honour and pride. There is no entry fee at this place. The time required to explore the entire place is about 30 minutes, and the timings are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

10. Tomb of Fateh Jang

The tomb of Fateh Jang or Fateh Jang ki Gumbad was constructed in 1647 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of Fateh Jang, a minister at his court. We all know the splendid monuments built by Shah Jahan during his thirty-year as the Mughal Emperor, including the Taj Mahal, Red Fort and Jama Masjid. His immense love for architecture, detail and design can be seen in the Tomb of Fateh Jang. It speaks highly of his virtuosity.

This five-storeyed building is an amalgamation of Indo-Islamic and Rajputana design. The actual tomb is situated in the centre of the monument amidst beautiful gardens. The monument boasts high-quality minarets and sandstone, a popular tourist attraction in Alwar. The place has no entry fee and takes around 30 minutes to 1 hour to take a tour of the entire area.

11. Sarafa Bazar

Obsessed with intricately-designed Rajasthani jewellery? We have the perfect place for you- SARAFA BAZAR. The marketplace is well-known as a hub for special pieces of jewellery, including diamonds, semi-treasured stones, and treasured stones. For all of you who like to level up your style by pairing your clothes with accessories, especially jewellery, Sarafa Bazaar is one of the key locations to look at in Alwar. The market road is dotted with several showrooms where affordable, and good-quality jewellery can be easily found. The market is open from 11 a.m. to 9.30 p.m.

12. Garbhaji Waterfalls

There is rarely anyone who doesn't love waterfalls, and finding waterfalls in Rajasthan is even rarer. Garbhaji waterfall is an exceptional sight located at a distance of 15 kilometres from the city centre of Alwar. Surrounded by forest and set in the lap of Aravalli Canal, this is truly a naturally serene place. The mesmerising cascade of bubbling water tumbling through rugged terrain beneath several boulders into a clearing is a sight to behold and speaks for itself. Garbhaji Falls is a perfect getaway for those looking for romance amidst nature and an ideal place for families to have picnics and relax and unwind. Frequented by photographers and nature lovers, this dazzling waterfall attracts tourists from places far and wide.

The falls are located at a height and can be reached by stairs. The road to get there is undoubtedly a bit bumpy; However, the view at the top makes up for it. The military uses the site for altitude training due to the cliffs and rocky terrain. Therefore, it is also popular for adventurers, hikers and hiking enthusiasts. Although you can take your time to relish the beauty of its whereabouts, for an average person, it normally takes 1-2 hours. There is no entry fee here.