Alwar
About 170 km. from Delhi lies the historical
and architectural city of Al war amidst Aravali hills, surrounded
by thick forests and lakes. Maharaja Pratap Singh wrested Alwar
from Mughals anti founded his own state in 1770. Its Vinay Vilas
Palace is an imposing 18th century structure, a portion of which
has now been turned into a museum.
Nearby is Siliserh Lake, Jaisamand Lake and Sariska National
Park; the last one is one of the finest Wildlife sanctuaries
in the State. The sanctuary sprawling into 480 sq. km. is surrounded
by hills and contains a wide variety of wildlife. It is now
a protected area under ‘Project Tiger”. Between
Jaipur and Alwar is a famous site belonging to Mahahbarat times
called Bairath which actually was the famous Virat Nagar, the
capital city of King Virat, the father-in-law of Arjun’s
son Abhimanyu. Alwar is very connected with road links to Jaipur
and Delhi. There are the Dak Bungalow, the Circuit House and
a number of good hotels.
Deegh
The garden citadel of Deegh lies 76 km.
cast of Alwar on way to Bharatpur and is famous for its massive
fort, palaces surrounded by pleasure tanks, fountains, exquisite
gardens and canals. Gopal Bhawan, the main palace with its ornate
columns, raised terrace, exquisite and spacious banquet hail.
etc., is the spot deserving special mention. Nearby are Suraj
Bhawan and Puran Mahal which have many fine paintings of Rajput
and Mughal schools.
Bharatpur
Bharatpur was founded in the 18th century
by Raja Suraj Mal, an outstanding General of his times. The
Bharatpur Fort is surrounded by two massive mud ramparts each
encircled by tremendous moats. The palace is a fine synthesis
of Mughal and Rajput style of architecture. The Museum in the
centre wing contains sculptures and other art exhibits dating
back to 2nd century AD.
About five km. south-east of Bharatpur is the famous Keoladeo
Ghana Sanctuary, covering a 52 sq. km. low lying marsh area
which is a paradise for bird-watchers and nature-enthusiasts.
Birds found here include grey geese, Siberian Cranes and many
rare birds. The best season to is it this Sanctuary is between
October and February. Ghana Sanctuary is 55 km. from Agra and
184 km. from Delhi byroad. There are many Tourist Bungalows.
Dak Bungalows and lodges for comfortable stay.
Ajmer
About 130 km, south-west of Jaipur, an
ancient city was founded in the eleventh century by the Chauhan
Prince Ajaipal. Situated picturesquely at the foot of a hill,
Ajmer is dominated by the Taragarh fortress above, built by
Prithvi Raj Chauhan. In modern times the city is best known
for the Dargah of Saint Moinuddin Chisti, who died here in 1526.
Thousands of Muslim pilgrims from all over the world make a
pilgrimage to this holy shrine, especially at the time of the
Urs. The shrine was visited every year by Akbar and later by
Shah Jehan to seek solace at the Dargah. It was here that Sir
Thomas Roe; the Ambassador of King James I of England met Emperor
Jehangir in 1616. Other spots worth visiting are the Adhai-Din
Ka-Jhonpara, the Lake Anasagar, Daulat Bagh, Nasian—the
red Digamber Jam Temple, Swami Dayananda Saraswati Smarak, Foy
Sagar—a lovely picnic spot, the Mayo College—the
famous school for princes. Ajmer is very connected by train
and road routes with Jaipur and Delhi and has very many comfortable
places of stay. It is also the base station for going on pilgrimage
to Pushkar.
Pushkar
An 11km. drive through a mountain pass
leads to Pushkar, the holiest lake of the Hindus and the city
of one of the world’s most beautiful rural fairs. Near
the lake stands the Brahma Temple, the only of its kind in India
on Kartika Poornima (full moon day in the month of November)
over a lakh devouts gather here to pay their homage to weather
Gods for a bountiful year.
Kota
Kota, the former capital of princely state
of the same name, stands on the right bank of the river Chambal.
Today Kota is a thriving industrial city. Surrounded by massive
walls in the Rajasthani tradition, Kota has some fine spots
of tourist interest in and around the city. The Kota Fort has
a superb Rao Madho Singh Museum with rich collection of weapons,
armours, costumes and wall paintings. The Chainbal Gardens,
south of the fort are popular as a picnic spot. Kota has very
many hotels, tourist bungalows, etc., for stay and has good
rail and road links with Delhi, Udaipur, Agra, Jaipur and Ajmer.
It is a junction on the Bombay- Delhi broad Gauge railway line.
Bundi
Former citadel of the brave Chauhans and
Handas, Bundi, south east of Ajmer, is a picture sque township
nestled in a narrow gorge. The awe- inspiring palace complex,
the fort, artistic step-wells, cenotaps, gardens, lakes, hunting
resorts and game sanctuaries of Bundi are full of rich tourist
potential. Bundi has a good road links with Kota, Ajmer, Udaipur,
and other major towns in Rajasthan. From Kota it is just an
hour’s journey to Bundi Accommodation available here are
Circuit House, Dak Bungalow, some rest houses and lodges.
Ranathambhor
Twelve km. from Sawaimadhopur-a station
on the Delhi- Bombay main-line (Railway)-lies Ranathambhor,
the abode of the brave and hardy Hammir who reigned here during
Alauddin Khilji’s time. This ancient fort, in its rugged
and rough beauty enchants the visitor. This place has also many
tigers and- hence the creation of Ranathambhor National Park
in 1971 which has now nearly 50 tigers. For stay one should
book his stay in the various lodges, rest-houses, etc., in Sawaimadhopur.
There are Govt. lodges, etc., at Ranathambhor for which the
Field Director, Project Tiger must be contacted.
Chittorgarh
This quintessence of Rajput heroism, Chittorgarh
is a proud witness of the bravery and chivalry of its inhabitants
unsurpassed by any race in the world. Sacked thrice, Chittorgarh,
the Capital of the Sisodia clans of the Rajput and Capital of
the kingdom of Mewar is the most renowned fort among all the
forts of India. This fort, covering an estimated 700 acres,
has the rare privilege of being the citadel of Rana Kumbha,
Maharana Pratap, Jaimal and Patta and many other warriors whose
saga of bravery still resound in the region. The various spots
of tourist interest are: The Palace of Rana Kumbha, Tower of
Victory, Padmini’s Palace, Kirti Stambh, Meera Temple.
Each part of the fort is replete with the saga of bravery and
sacrifice.
Chittorgarh is well-connected by road with Jaipur, Ajmer acid
a rail line connects it with Delhi also. Railway Retiring Rooms,
Panna Tourist Bungalow and a few hotels, provide comfortable
place for stay at reasonable rates.
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