An excellent destination for an impromptu getaway. The former hunting lodge of Maharaja Vinay Singh, was built in the year 1845 for his wife Rani Sheela. The resort is perched on a cliff, like a white flower, and is surrounded by thick growth of brambles.
When you drive up to the resort and switch off the engine, the first thing that strikes you, is the profounf silence of the place. The silence is heavy and like a thickly padded material you feel it is capable of absorbing any man made sound. The resort is surrounded by the Aravali ranges and the sprawling lake in front effectively blots out all ambient sounds. It took me quite a while to get used to the utter silence of the place.
The lodge has four floors. The basement is at the water level of the lake.A portion of the the palace has been hewed out of a rock. The spacious terrace of the lodge opens out to the view of the rambling lake.
Things to do and see
Boating facilities are available. The rolling hills are ideal for trekking. Or just sit on the terrace and savor the vast expanse of the lake.
Take care when you go walking along the banks of the lake. You might stumble over a Crocodile basking in the sun. If you see a piece of log floating in the lake or a mud caked log lying on the banks, take a hard look before you proceed further! You are in the midsts of a wild country.
Where there are hills, there has to be a waterfall. A few kilometers away from the resort takes you to a gorge, like the ones that you see in Uttarakhand, but of course on a much smaller scale. To complete the Uttarakhand scenario, there is even a monk living in a cave!
As I was climbing the gorge, a swarm of bees descended on the place. I immediately decided to turn back for fear of getting bitten. But the Sadhu who was observing me all the while called out to me to ignore the bees and continue walking. I obeyed and reached the cave unscathed!
Route and Location
New Delhi- Gurgoan- Daruhera-Alwar- Siliserh.
160 Kms from New Delhi.Travel time Three and a half hours. 15 Kms away from Alwar.
Accommodation
The lodge is managed by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation. This is the only place where boarding and lodging is available, close to the Lake.
Best time to visit.
During monsoons IE July and from October to March.
Other attractions
1. Alwar Fort
The fortress is situated at a height 1000 ft on a hill top spanning 8 sq Km. It has 66 towers. The fortress is said to have been constructed during the time of Nikumbh Dynasty.
2. Vinay City Palace
Built by Maharaja Vinay Singh as his residential palace. The upper floor is a museum exhibiting collections from the medieval times. An intriguing piece of item is a long scroll with the entire portions of Mahabharat and Bhagwat Gita written on it.
3.Cenotaph of Moosi Maharani
Built in 1815 by Maharaja Vinay Singh is the cenotaph of Maharaja Bakhtawar Singh.It is also known as the 'Chattri of Moosi Rani'. The very spot where Maharani Moosi performed her sati rites.The edifice houses sculpted footprints of the royal couple.
4. Vijay Mandir Palace.
10 Kms from north of the city.
Built in 1918 by Maharaja Jai Singh. The well laid terrace garden overlooks the lake.
5. Sariska wild life sanctuary
Boasts of tigers,panthers, sambhars, cheetals, neelghais, porcupines, hyenas, langurs,to name few of the animals.
When you drive up to the resort and switch off the engine, the first thing that strikes you, is the profounf silence of the place. The silence is heavy and like a thickly padded material you feel it is capable of absorbing any man made sound. The resort is surrounded by the Aravali ranges and the sprawling lake in front effectively blots out all ambient sounds. It took me quite a while to get used to the utter silence of the place.
The lodge has four floors. The basement is at the water level of the lake.A portion of the the palace has been hewed out of a rock. The spacious terrace of the lodge opens out to the view of the rambling lake.
Things to do and see
Boating facilities are available. The rolling hills are ideal for trekking. Or just sit on the terrace and savor the vast expanse of the lake.
Take care when you go walking along the banks of the lake. You might stumble over a Crocodile basking in the sun. If you see a piece of log floating in the lake or a mud caked log lying on the banks, take a hard look before you proceed further! You are in the midsts of a wild country.
Like most places in Rajasthan, the Simian menace lurk here too. Be careful when you eat your food in one of the Dhabas outside the resort. The langurs tend to come in hordes and without as much as your leave, snatch anything that is edible. So beware.
Where there are hills, there has to be a waterfall. A few kilometers away from the resort takes you to a gorge, like the ones that you see in Uttarakhand, but of course on a much smaller scale. To complete the Uttarakhand scenario, there is even a monk living in a cave!
As I was climbing the gorge, a swarm of bees descended on the place. I immediately decided to turn back for fear of getting bitten. But the Sadhu who was observing me all the while called out to me to ignore the bees and continue walking. I obeyed and reached the cave unscathed!
Route and Location
New Delhi- Gurgoan- Daruhera-Alwar- Siliserh.
160 Kms from New Delhi.Travel time Three and a half hours. 15 Kms away from Alwar.
Accommodation
The lodge is managed by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation. This is the only place where boarding and lodging is available, close to the Lake.
Best time to visit.
During monsoons IE July and from October to March.
Other attractions
1. Alwar Fort
The fortress is situated at a height 1000 ft on a hill top spanning 8 sq Km. It has 66 towers. The fortress is said to have been constructed during the time of Nikumbh Dynasty.
2. Vinay City Palace
Built by Maharaja Vinay Singh as his residential palace. The upper floor is a museum exhibiting collections from the medieval times. An intriguing piece of item is a long scroll with the entire portions of Mahabharat and Bhagwat Gita written on it.
3.Cenotaph of Moosi Maharani
Built in 1815 by Maharaja Vinay Singh is the cenotaph of Maharaja Bakhtawar Singh.It is also known as the 'Chattri of Moosi Rani'. The very spot where Maharani Moosi performed her sati rites.The edifice houses sculpted footprints of the royal couple.
4. Vijay Mandir Palace.
10 Kms from north of the city.
Built in 1918 by Maharaja Jai Singh. The well laid terrace garden overlooks the lake.
5. Sariska wild life sanctuary
Boasts of tigers,panthers, sambhars, cheetals, neelghais, porcupines, hyenas, langurs,to name few of the animals.
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