5 Things to Do in Alwar—The Off-beat City of Rajputs

When a traveller decides on eastern Rajasthan, the first city that comes to mind is Jaipur. Rightfully so, considering the number of historical attractions that beckons tourists, both local and foreign. However, the dusty city of Alwar is quietly charming and offers travellers a different side of eastern Rajasthan, mostly bypassed for the enigmatic Jaipur.

The best thing about Alwar is that you can enjoy peace and quiet here unlike the other tourist places of eastern Rajasthan. The palace here is surprisingly well-preserved and the museum is a hidden gem, containing a number of interesting artefacts from the time of the maharajas.

Alwar used to be the capital of a powerful Rajput state. Alwar’s history can be traced back to 1500 B.C. when it was part of Matsya territories of Viratnagar. Pratap Singh, a prominent 18th century maharaja, successfully defended Alwar against the Marathas, and incursions of the rulers from Jaipur and Bharatpur. Alwar holds the distinction of being one of the first Rajput states to associate with the early British empire, but the colonists’ interference in stately matters wasn’t favourably looked upon.

After exploring eastern Rajasthan hotspots like Jaipur and Ajmer, Alwar is a pleasant surprise. The lack of hustle and bustle means you can amble around the city and take in the local life. The people here are friendly and your Alwar trip is bound to be quietly unforgettable. The street bazaars of Alwar are colourful, to say the least, and shopping for handicrafts here is easier because of the lack of tourists. Don’t forget to gorge on the local delicacies and the kalakand (milk cake) is a popular sweet dish in the city.

The things to do in Alwar require a little travelling but they’re certainly worth a try. Here’s a complete list for the first-time traveller.

1Water sports at Siliserh Lake

The Siliserh Palace, a former royal hunting lodge constructed in the 1800s, has been converted into a tourist bungalow, but the main reason you should land up is for the Siliserh Lake. This 10.5 sq.km. waterbody is surrounded by a thick forested region, making it an ideal location for birds and animals. Any nature lover will love spending time by the lake.

Situated 20kms southwest of Alwar, this lake also attracts a number of thill-seeking travellers. Choose from a variety of water activities designed for fun and frolic on the picturesque waters of Siliserh Lake.

Strap on your life jacket, put on your sunglasses and straddle that jet ski. It’s time to leave your friends behind in a watery slipstream as you ski across the lake. Jet skiing is not for the faint hearted and you can really whip up a decent speed on Siliserh Lake.

Imagine being stationed inside a large transparent orb that is then placed on Siliserh Lake. That’s what zorbing is all about and this is a great destination to have a little fun as you stumble inside that giant, waterproof globe.

A fun-filled group activity for friends is signing up for a banana boat ride. A vessel in the shape of a giant banana, with hollow seats is pulled across the waters of Siliserh Lake by a speedboat, as your friends and you scream in delight.

2A wildlife safari at Sariska National Park

The canyons and semi-deciduous forests of Sariska exist within the folds of the beautiful Aravalli Hills, making it one of the most picturesque wildlife parks in Rajasthan. The park is spread out over 866 sq.km. making it a nature lover’s delight and you can spot a variety of wild animals in their natural habitat.

Sariska National Park is open all through the year, but the best time for wildlife spotting is between November to March. While most tourists head to Ranthambore trailing the tiger, Sariska is home to eight tigresses, four tigers and two cubs (as of August, 2018). Moreover, the lack of crowds makes a jungle safari all the more exceptional in these parts. Sambar, nilgai, leopard, langur, chital, and a host of other wild animals can be spotted here. Crested serpent eagles, black-rumped flameback woodpecker, sand grouse, and the country’s largest peafowl population inhabit the Sariska jungles.

If you’re up for an adventure, travel deep into Sariska National Park to explore the ruins of Kankwari Fort. This is where Akbar’s heir to the Mughal throne was imprisoned, by Aurangzeb, before his execution. The ruins of the fort are in tune with the grim history surrounding it.

A forest guide is mandatory and they charge up to INR 300 for a 3-hour safari experience. The best way to explore Sariska National Park is to sign up for one of the long safaris (jeep or canter) that cover all the major wildlife viewing locations within the forest.

Nowadays, you can even sign up for an overnight camping trip that takes place on the outskirts of this park and includes jungle treks. A must-try for the hard-core nature-lover.

3Explore Alwar’s history at Bala Qila and City Palace

The Bala Qila is an eye-catching fort that rests on a steep incline and boasts of 5km ramparts. Sitting 300m above Alwar, Bala Qila is one of a handful of forts that predates the Mughal reign. The steep climb up to the ruins of this fort makes for a good hike. Bala Qila was an important bastion when the Mughals were attacking Ranthambore and Emperors Babur and Akbar have graced this fort with their presence.

Below Bala Qila rests Vinay Vilas Mahal, or City Palace, that includes a number of pavilions and ghats. Today, the once regal rooms of the palace are occupied by government clerks, and the only reason you should land up here is to explore the above-average museum. This treasure trove, maintained by the government, contains artefacts from the Mughal and Rajput eras. Besides swords that belonged to Akbar and Aurangzeb, there are stone sculptures, ancient manuscripts, coins and inscriptions. Don’t forget to check out the taxidermied birds, ivory slippers, exquisite weaponry, widescreen paintings and erotic miniatures.

Exploring Bala Qila and City Palace should top the list of things to do in Alwar.

4A day trip to Bhangarh

The legend around Bhangarh is that an evil witchdoctor cursed the village and its inhabitants after he was denied the hand of a local princess. Bhangarh, founded somewhere in the 1600s, was mysteriously abandoned around 300 years ago. Today, the ruins of this village stand tall among the beautiful countryside, making this a perfect destination for travellers with a penchant for the supernatural.

5Alwar’s exquisite cenotaph of old

The cenotaph of Maharaja Bakhtawar Singh is a double-storied structure erected on a sandstone base. Siatued near the City Palace, this is easily one of the prettiest royal memorials in Rajasthan. One of the popular things to do in Alwar includes exploring the interior carvings on the walls and spending some time by the picturesque tank beside the cenotaph. Locals also call this memorial Moosi Maharani ki Chhatri, to honour one of Bakhtawar Singh’s mistresses who performed sati on his funeral pyre. The cenotaph is still visited by local women who pour holy water on the sculpted footprints of the couple. Make sure you take your shoes off before entering the inner hall.