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Sightseeing Highlights
Attracting hundreds of tourists each year, Sawai Madhopur's chief draw is the Ranthambore National Park. The habitat here is home to an amazing variety of animal, bird and plant life, and is a hotspot for wildlife enthusiasts. The park also hosts several historic ruins, such as the Ranthambore Fort, an imposing structure set atop a steep hill. An 8th century Ganesh Temple stands within the fort, and is a popular venue for a fair that is held each year on Ganesh Chaturthi. Other prominent ruins in and around the fort include Sameton Ki Haveli, the photogenic 32-pillared Chhatri, Mahadeo Chhatri, Toran Dwar and a bat-infested Mosque.
The city has several noteworthy temples as well. The scenic Amareshwar Mahadeo Temple is set amidst a high hill, en route to the national park, while the Chamatkarji Jain Temple is located on the main road leading to the city, and, as the name suggests, is known for the miracles performed here.
Other Activities:
In addition to the Ranthambore National Park, Sawai Madhopur also serves as a base for visiting numerous other attractions in the vicinity. These include the Chauth Mata Temple, situated on a hill around 25 km from the city, and the Dushmeshwar Mahadeo Temple, honouring Lord Shiva, in the town of Shivad, at a distance of about 40 km. Farther away, the Kaila Devi Temple is famous for a colourful festival held here during March/April and September/October, while the Shri Mahaveerji Temple is known as one of the most sacred of all Jain shrines.
Closer to the city, the Surwal Lake attracts many species of migratory birds and is a great place for bird watching. The Khandar Fort, on the outskirts of the national park, is an ancient structure worth visiting, as is the Rameshwaram Ghat, which is home to many birds, crocodiles, dolphins and other animals. Sawai Madhopur and its neighbouring villages also offer excellent shopping opportunities, and are famous for their lacquered woodwork, silver jewellery, block-printed textiles, handmade copper and brass utensils, ethnic ornaments and more.
Tourism info:
Tourist Information Centre,
RTDC Hotel Vinayak,
Sawai Madhopur.
Tel: 07462-220808
The walled city of Sawai Madhopur is situated in Rajasthan and is essentially the base for visiting the renowned Ranthambore National Park. Laid out on the lines of a planned city, it was built by Sawai Madho Singh I, the Maharaja of Jaipur, during the late 18th century and is named after him.
The city has a tumultuous past, with many battles fought here, and has been passed from one ruling dynasty to another. Each ruler, from the Mughal emperors to the Rajput kings, contributed to the beautification of the city, building temples and a fort here. Finally, in 1754, Mughal Emperor Shah Alam presented Sawai Madhopur to Sawai Madho Singh as a gift, and the city was henceforth maintained as a hunting reserve for the royal family. |
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