Top 5 Tourist Places to Visit in Alwar is one of the oldest cities in Rajasthan. Paradoxically, the city is also the most recent of the Rajput kingdoms. Its traditions can be traced back to the realms of Viratnagar that flourished here around 1500 BC. Also known as Matasya Desh, this is where the Pandavas, the mighty heroes of the Mahabharata, spent the last years of their 13-year exile.
The journey of the city of Alwar and its origins can be traced back to 1500 BC. Nestled in the lap of the green hills of the Aravalli range, it is home to beautiful palaces and forts from an era long gone. The deep valleys and thick forest cover of the hills are a haven for many species of birds such as grey partridge and white-throated kingfisher and animals, most notably, the Bengal tiger and golden jackal. It is this splendour and exquisite architecture, along with the calm lakes, royal hunting chalets, dense jungles and a socio-cultural environment unlike any other that makes Alwar a traveller’s delight Top 5 Tourist Places to Visit in Alwar.
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
This fort is haunted, as evidenced by a few paranormal events and natural phenomena in the past. It’s one of the top things to do in Alwar to pay her a visit Top 5 Tourist Places to Visit in Alwar.
Timings: 6 am to 6 pm
Entry Fees: Rs 45
Bala Quila
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 Top 5 Tourist Places to Visit in Alwar.
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.
It takes around two hours to traverse the fort, which is 5 km long and 1.5 km wide. It is a popular destination in Alwar.
Timings: 10 am – 5 pm
Entry Fees: Free
Siliserh Lake and 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 Top 5 Tourist Places to Visit in Alwar.
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!
Timings: 8 am to 7 pm
Entry Fees: Free
Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary
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 Top 5 Tourist Places to Visit in Alwar.
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.
Timings: 6 am – 9:30 pm
Entry Fees: Rs 75
Moosi Maharani Ki Chhatri
These cenotaphs are among the top attractions in Alwar and have long been recognised for their distinctive architectural style and landmark status in Rajasthan. 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 Top 5 Tourist Places to Visit in Alwar.
Timings: 9 am to 6 pm
Entry Fees: Free
