Alwar Sightseeing, Quick Facts, History, Packages, Tours & Excursions

The royal Rajput ambience still pervades in the city, marked by a number of structures of historical significance. Cordoned off by the rocky Aravalli hills, the Alwar Fort is the most interesting monument of this city. The rampart of this fort stretches to about 5 kilometers and stands about 304 m above sea level. The Fort has 15 large and 51 small towers and 446 openings for cannons, along with eight huge towers encompassing the entire citadel.

City Palace or Vinay Vilas Mahal is 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 constitutes a museum.

The Government Museum has a fine 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 Mughal emperor Babar) and Bostan (the garden of spring) are some of the notable works amongst the collection.

Another interesting features of Alwar is an artificial lake built in 1815 A.D. by Maharaja Vinay Singh with few temples along its banks. A marvelous chhatri with an unusual Bengal-style roof and arches, also known as the Moosi Maharani ki Chhatri, is situated here. Other attractions here include Vijai Mandir Palace(10 km) and Jai Samand Lake(6 km), etc.

Around Alwar:

Siliserh Lake Palace Hotel, 13 km, was once a royal hunting lodge now converted into a heritage hotel on the banks of a small lake. Sariska National Park is a popular wildlife destination of Rajasthan and 37 km away.

Shopping:

Alwar is famous for jewelery and other handicraft items. Besides the rich Rajasthani food offered here, one must sample the sweet specialty called milk cake.

Tourism Info: 

Tourist Information Centre, RTDC,

Opp Alwar Railway Station

Tel: 0144-2347348

Alwar is nestled between clusters of small hills of the Aravallis and has a long history under the Rajputs, Mughals and later the British. The city also has a rich natural heritage with some beautiful lakes and picturesque valleys, thickly wooded in parts. Once known as the Tiger State, Alwar houses the famous Sariska Sanctuary unfortunately rampant poaching has recently made the tiger extinct here. It is rich in other smaller wildlife, however.