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A quick glance at the city of Alwar gives one the impression that it was carved out from the very rocks of the Aravalli Range whereupon it sits. A place of rich cultural and historical heritage, as well as natural beauty, Alwar, also known as the "Tiger Gate of Rajasthan," has witnessed and taken part in the rise of many empires and rulers. Not to mention that it had made a name for itself in Hindu mythology as the city where the heroes of the great epic Mahabharata, the Pandavas, supposedly lived during the last part of their 13-year exile.
Nevertheless, many tourists head to Alwar for an entirely different reason: a chance to ride on the uniquely-named special train, the Fairy Queen. Said to be powered by the oldest working engine on the planet, it made its maiden voyage in 1855 and has never buckled. Today, more than 150 years later, it still ferries passengers from Delhi to Alwar and back, albeit the coaches are now understandably air-conditioned. A nice touch is that its services include dropping tourists by other attractions during the course of the journey, such as the wildlife reserve of the Alwar Sariska National Park and the world-famous Sariska Tiger Reserve that is part of India's so-called "Project Tiger."
This is not to say that Alwar shouldn't be visited for its historical sites alone. In fact, a highlight attraction in the city is the imposing Bala Fort that looms 304 meters above it. Composed of 15 huge and 51 smaller towers, along with 446 holes for musketeers and numerous forbidding gates, it valiantly defended Alwar from many enemy invaders. Another attraction is the Vinay Vilas Mahal Palace that currently serves as a government office. It is an 18th century edifice that brandishes an architecture inspired by the Rajput and Mughal styles.
In addition, the palace's upper floor doubles as a museum, the unimaginatively-named Government Museum which proudly displays a remarkable collection of Rajput and Mughal paintings dating back to the 18th and 19th century, including ancient Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, and Urdu manuscripts. It is also noted for its very own Mahabharata copy, painted exclusively by students from the local school. One can also head to nearby Vihar, a sprawling garden made in a distinctive "shimla" setting, for recreation and relaxation time.
Alwar Traveler Advice
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