City of Love

Photo courtsey Anukraman Singh Rathore


Photo courtsey Anukraman Singh Rathore

Alwar reminds me of…milk cake…RJ-02…siliserh lake..bhangarh…the weird mewati accent…the reflective hindi alphabets on top of a hill announcing you were approaching ‘ALWAR’.
I have been to Alwar on few occasions and it has never been my preferred place for riding. Every time I have returned disappointed, but this time it was different.
If you enquire around for what to visit in Alwar you would be suggested Siliserh lake, some temple nearby or if you stretch it too far ‘Sariska’ would be the reply. But Alwar too has its share of hidden treasures, and this time we had discovered quite a few of them.

I never liked the idea of visiting a monument. They all seem cold, static and rigid to me. And to top it all off the hassle that which one has to go through to visit one in India is too much to bare.
All along you are chased by touts, as if it was not ‘visit a monument day’ but ‘save yourself from getting looted day’. Ill informed guides which are no good then a tape recorder. They only have a start and pause button, try to cross question them and they look at you with ‘this question is out of syllabus look’. Shopkeepers trying to woo your attention to sell you all kind of crap. Glittering aunty ji’s clad in all the jewelry that they can find in their cupboard matched with the highest possible heels they could get their hands on. I admit, watching them walk with their stilettos is real fun, it is like a super model reality show where they are required to walk the rocky path without falling to qualify for the next round.
Standing tall, witnessing all this chaos is the monument, silent and helpless…trying to say something…if you would listen.

I realized how powerful the communication of a monument could be after visiting Bala Qila in Alwar. Bala Qila is an ancient fort, now forgotten, currently serving the Rajasthan Police. Tourist movement to the fort is restricted and you need special permission from the Police to enter the premises. For us it was a boon, we got to visit the fort exclusively. The Fort welcomed us with open arms to showcase all its grandeur and fervor.
The climb up to the fort is one of the best I have seen with lush green forest, smooth roads and tempting twisties. The entry to the fort is not that impressive but once you get in you are welcomed with beautiful courtyard and impressive Gold Fresco paintings drawn on the ceiling.
It has a beautiful three storied courtyard, one of the most beautiful I have seen so far. Since we were the only visitors, we got to spend quality time. Clicked loads of pictures and there was no one to obstruct the view. From the top of the Fort, you could see the Alwar city on one side and the Aravali range on the other. One could easily understand the strategic importance of the hillock on which the Fort is built.
The fort is under renovation currently, and I believe it will open its door for the visitors soon.
This was the first time that a fort introduced itself in totality, letting us explore all its hidden doors and passages, making us feel at home.

The Jaisamand Lake at Alwar, now in ruins, once used to be the main source of water for Alwar







Photo courtsey Anukraman Singh Rathore


Photo courtsey Yogesh Mankani


The beautiful Vijay Mandir Palace


Photo courtsey Anukraman Singh Rathore




The stunning views from the 'Bala Qila'













One of the most beautiful courtyards I have seen







Photo courtsey Anukraman Singh Rathore



Using a camouflage to hunt??






The valley in which one side of the fort opens up. Looks tempting!! coming back for sure to explore it





Photo courtsey Anukraman Singh Rathore




Beautiful ruins everywhere














Photo courtsey Anukraman Singh Rathore


Photo courtsey Yogesh Mankani


Photo courtsey Yogesh Mankani


Photo courtsey Yogesh Mankani





Can you spot the road?? Cutting through the thick greens, it is one beautiful climb up to the fort






One of the tracks we explored on foot




Got through some bushes..




And finally the track opened up to a magnificent view of Alwar city





We shall return soon….but this time with all the Baarat!!