Alwar

PRIME SITES

The Fort : This huge fort with its ramparts stretching 5 km from north to south and 1.6 km from east to west, stands 304 metres above the city and 595 metres above the sea level, constructed before the rise of the Mughal empire. Babar had spent a night at this fort and took away the hidden treasures to gift to his son, Humayun. Akbar's son, Jahangir'had also stayed here for some time during his exile. The place where he stayed is called Salim Mahal. The fort was finally annexed by Maharaja Pratap Singh in 1775 A.D.

It is a forbidding structure with 15 large and 5 I small towers and 446 openings for musketry, alongwith 8 huge towers encompassing it. The fort has several gates - Jai Pol, Suraj Pol, Laxman Pol, Chand Pol, Kishan Pol and Andheri Gate. Also there are remains of Jal Mahal, Nikumbh Mahal, Salim Sagar, Suraj Kund and many temples.

City Palace or Vinay Vilas Mahal : An '18th century palace harmoniously blending the Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture. While the ground floors have been converted into government offices and district courts, the upper apartment is presently a museum.

Goverrunent Museum : The museum has the finest collection of Mughal and Rajput paintings dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries and some rare ancient manuscripts in Persian, Arabic, Urdu and Sanskrit. 'Gulistan' (the garden of roses), 'Waqiat-i-Babri' (autobiography of the Mughal Emperor Babar) and 'Bostan' (the garden of spring) are some of the notable ones amongst the collection, It also has a copy of the great epic 'Mahabharatha' painted by the artists of the Alwar school.

A rich collection of the Indian armoury are among other exhibits of the museum. Timings 10.00 hrs. to 17.00 hrs. (Closed on Fridays and gazetted holidays. Free entry on Monday.)

Behind the City Palace is an artificial lake built in 1815 A.D. by Maharaja Vinay Singh with few temples along its banks.

A marvellous chhatri with unusual Bengali roof and arches, also known as the Moosi Maharani ki Chhatri, is situated in this area.

Purjan Vihar (Company Garden) : A picturesque garden, laid out during the reign of Maharaja Shiv Dan Singh in 1868 A.D. The garden has an enchanting setting called 'Shimla ' which was built by Maharaja Mangal Singh in 1885 A.D. The lush surroundings and the cool shades make it the idyllic visiting spot during summers.


EXCURSIONS

Vijai Mandir Palace (10 km) : A splendid palace, built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1918 A.D. A picturesque lake overlooking the palace makes it a fascinating sight.
A fabulous Sita Ram Temple in the palace attracts number of devotees, especially during Ramnavami. One needs prior permission from the Secretary to visit the palace.

Siiiserh Lake and Palace Hotel (13 km) : An idyllic picnic spot with enchanting landscape of wooded hills and beautiful chhatris on the embankment of the 10.5 sq.km placid lake. A magnificent royal palace and the hunting lodge, built by Maharaja Vinay Singh in 1845 A.D. for his queen Shila stands overlooking the lake.
Now converted as the Hotel Lake Palace, it offers boating and sailing facilities and is a delight for the trigger­happy photographers and film makers.

Jai Samand Lake (6 km) : A beautiful artificial lake constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1910 A.D. is a popular spot for outings and picnics. During monsoons, sprawling greenery all around makes it a visual treat. Easily accessible by road from Alwar.

Sariska (37 km) : The 765.80 sq. km. thickly wooded reserve cradled in the picturesque valley of the Aravalis. Established in 1955, it is an excellent tiger sanctuary under the Project Tiger. The dry decidous forests of the Reserve are noted for their population of tiger, nilgai, sambhar, cheetal, four horned antelope and wild boar.

Sariska Palace: A marvellous palace was built here by Maharaja Jai Singh in the honour of the Duke of Edinburgh during his visit to the sanctuary. Presently, it has been converted into a hotel - Sariska Palace. RTDC Hotel Tiger Den also offers excellent accommodation at Sariska.
The best time to drive in the sanctuary is from sunrise till sunset.

Entry Fee
	Foreigner	Indian
Per head	Rs. 25/-	Rs. 5/-
Still camera	Rs. 10/-	Rs. 2/-
8mm
Movie camera	Rs. 50/-	Rs. 50/-
16mm
Movie camera	Rs. 100/-	Rs. 100/-

Vehicle Entry Fee
Bus Rs. 100/-; Mini Bus Rs. 50/-; Diesel Jeep Rs. 100/-; Petrol Jeep or Car Rs. 75/-.
Jeeps are available on hire at the RTDC Hotel Tiger Den.

Charges: Rs. 400/- per Jeep (upto 5 persons), extra person -Rs. 50/- per head.
Night halt in the sanctuary is allowed only after obtaining prior permission from the Field Director, Sariska Tiger Reserve (In special cases only).


TRAVEL INFORMATION HOW TO GET THERE

Air: Delhi 163 km is the nearest airport.

Rail: Good connection from prominent locations in and around the state.
Some important train conn7ctions are: Shatabdi Express (New Delhi-Alwar­Ajmer); Superfast Express (New Delhi­Alwar-Ajmer); Intercity Express (Delhi.Sarai Rohilla-Alwar-Jaipur); Marudhar Express (Varanasi-Alwar-Jodhpur) ; Mandore Express (Delhi Sarai Rohilla­Alwar-Jodhpur)

Road: Regular services link Alwar with key destinations in and not hr off Rajasthan and Delhi.

Local Transport : Unmetered auto­rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws and tongas.

Where to stay: RTDC Hotel Lake Palace at Siliserh, Tel. : 86322; Sariska Palace (a heritage hotel), Tel. : 41322; RTDC Tiger Den at Sariska, Tel. : 41342,41344 and RTDC Hotel Meenal, Tel. : 22852, 22991; Aravali Hotel, two star near railway station; Mayur Hotel near Bhavan Top, Tel. : 21222, 21223; Swaroop Vilas Palace near Moti Dungri, Tel. : 332883, 332316. Also a choice of several budget hotels at Alwar.

Shopping: Jewellery and other handicraft items. A sweetmeat speciality made of milk A/war Mawa is not to be missed. Market areas are Hope Circus, Bajaja Bazar, Sarrafa Bazar, Mala Khera Bazar, Kedalganj Bazar.


OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

Banks/Money Changers: State Bank of India, Mahal Chowk, Tel. : 21448; Bank of Baroda, Hope Circus, Tel. : 20138; State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, Opp. Police Control Room, Tel. : 20813.

Post and Telegraph Office: G.P.O. Tel. : 22631, Telegraph Office Tel. : 21249. Clubs: Jaikrishna Club, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Inner Wheel Club, Jaycee's Club and Leo Club.

Health Clinic/Hospitals: General Hospital, Zenana Hospital, Ayurvedic Hospital and private hospitals.

Yoga Centres: Nature Cure Hospital, Yoga Kendra, Nehru Bal Vihar. Tourist Information Centre: Tourist Office, Opp.Company Garden, Nehru Bal Vihar, Tel. 21868.

Guides: For approved guides, contact Tourist Office, Tel. : 21868.


GENERAL INFORMATION

Area : 44.76 sq. km.

Climate: Mean Max. Summer: 37.0°C Winter: 24.0°C
                Mean Min. Summer:31.0°C Winter: 11.0°C

Rainfall: 62 cms.

Best Season: September-February

Clothing: Summer: Light Tropical
                  Winter: Light Woollen

Languages: Rajasthani, Hindi, English.

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