Alwar (Sariska) travel guide

Alwar sits in north-east Rajasthan between Delhi and Jaipur, a little over 150 km from each, with the Aravalli ridge running along its eastern edge. It is a former princely state, established in the 18th century under Pratap Singh of the Naruka Kachwaha line, and its older history goes much further back: the hill fortress above the town, Bala Quila, was first raised by the Nikumbh Rajputs and rebuilt in the 16th century by Hasan Khan Mewati. Most visitors arrive for Sariska Tiger Reserve, but the city itself is worth a day on its own.

The old centre is compact and still functional rather than polished. The City Palace, still partly used for government offices, holds a district museum with a respected collection of manuscripts, miniatures and weapons. Behind it, the Moosi Maharani ki Chhatri stands over a stepped tank, a pairing of red sandstone and white marble that is the best photograph in town. Near the railway station, the five-storey tomb of Fateh Jung is the oldest major monument and is often empty.

Outside the city, the options split into water and wild. Siliserh Lake, made by an embankment in 1845, is the easy half-day. Sariska, about 36 km from Alwar station, has a monsoon closure and a safari booking system, so plan it first and fit the rest around it. Pandupol, a reclining Hanuman shrine inside the reserve, and ruined Kankwari fort are the cultural stops within the forest.

For older travellers, Alwar is gentler than the big Rajasthan circuits: fewer crowds, level museum and palace visits, and a hotel scene that is modest rather than grand. The one real physical effort is Bala Quila, which has restricted access anyway. Bhangarh and Neemrana, both reachable on a longer day, round out a three-day plan.