I always believed Delhi is bliss for any history lover. This is partly because of the number of historical monuments present in the city, but also due to the easy accessibility to the forts and abandoned sites present in the close vicinity. Most of the North Indian history can be understood by visiting Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Being a history buff, I was always curious about the Kachwaha dynasty that ruled Alwar. They hold special significance in Indian history due to their alliance with the Mughals at some point in time. In order to know more about the culture and explore the historical gems of the city, I headed towards Alwar.
The drive from Delhi to Alwar constitutes four hours through NH-8. But I would recommend starting early, as the highway connects industrial belts, it is often crowded during the day. If you start later than nine in the morning, be assured the same journey will stretch another one to two hours.
The city provides many reasonable staying options, I opted for Lemon Tree Alwar. The property is located in a premium area, with open fields on the right hand and an unhindered view of Aravalis on the front. The place is well kept and is apt for both business and leisure travelers.
By the time I reached the hotel, it was late evening and a nice chill was settling in the weather. The staff promptly did the formalities and took me to my room. The moment I stepped inside my suite room half of my exhaustion vanished. The suite was spacious and had a mini drawing room attached to the bedroom. It was sufficient for a family of four. The drawing-room had its own sitting arrangement and had amenities like tv, small freeze, electric kettle, etc. The suite is definitely recommended for people seeking privacy.
LemonTree Alwar has 40 rooms, with a lounge, restaurant, and a banquet hall, suited for small functions and conferences. They also have a mini gym on the property, this helps the traveler to stay in shape.
When the GM of the Lemon Tree Alwar, Mr.Rishi came to know about my interest in history, he arranged for a taxi along with a local guide, to show the city. This gesture touched my heart and saved me a lot of time. The guide instinctively understood what I was looking for, and he chalked out an itinerary accordingly. He took me to the Alwar palace, which hosts the government offices along with the famous Alwar museum.
The museum is highly recommended for a visit. It is divided into 3 parts, the first part house a few of the artifacts of the royal family, and also the stone statutes dating back to the 9th and 10th century. The second part contains famous books like Akbarnama, the old Koran, and various other books of importance. It also contains paintings showcasing the family tree of the royalty and different Malahars(Indian musical notes). But my personal favorite was the last part which contained different weapons and costumes of the bygone era. I was thrilled to see the swords used by Akbar and Jahangir in the battle. For the first time, I saw two swords placed in the same hilt. One can not only see the evolution of the weapons but could understand the uncertainties faced by the people of those times. It was a time filled with weapons, hardships, where the kings always have to be on guards to protect their kingdom.
After my historical excursion, I visited the local market and had the famous milk cake which originated from Alwar. I further checked out bangles made from glass and lac. The best thing about Alwar is- the local market, gives the feel of Jaipur market without that humdrum and the exorbitant prices.
On coming back the staff surprised me by arranging a private dinner at the terrace. I can safely say, the terrace is one of the hidden treasures of Lemon Tree Alwar. It has a beautiful view of Aravalis and the city. They had extensively used fairy lights to lend a dreamy look to the whole ambiance.
You can tell your or your loved one food preference and the dinner will be prepared accordingly. If you are staying on the property in the winter, then a sun-kissed lunch would be a good option.