3 Feel-Good Stops En Route to Siliserh Lake
Welcome to the first part of my Alwar Diaries, where I share my travel experience from Delhi to Alwar. This journey was a much-needed break from the city, leading me through scenic highways and into the calm beauty of Siliserh Lake.
To escape the scorching early summers, we decided to visit the land where Loo enters our country – sounds ironic. We planned a spontaneous short weekend trip to the eastern part of Rajasthan, far from the hustle and bustle of the national capital. The main purpose was to visit the place famous for its centuries-old fort and a huge lake sprawling over acres, which serves as a lifeline to both the crawling muggers and the public of the district in Rajasthan.
Our day was full of adventures, right from diverting off the main highway to watching the rural lifestyle in some of the remotest areas of the state. The road was not wide enough to accommodate even two Maruti 800s. Understanding the accent of the residents was like a Waterloo; never did I imagine how diverse our nation was, where dialects change every 10 kilometres. We could only reach Alwar six hours after leaving Delhi. It being a colder day comparatively in March with a car having a sunroof, the ride was as good as the ride in the Bollywood film ‘Zindagi na Milegi Dobara’.
ALWAR – Our first impression
Alwar, a historic city in Rajasthan, is known for Bala Quila, a majestic 15th-century fort perched on a hill overlooking the city. With its massive gates, high walls, and old watchtowers, the fort stands as a symbol of Alwar’s royal legacy and offers a glimpse into the region’s rich architectural and cultural history. I never imagined Alwar to be so urbanised, but it was not any less when compared to other major cities, with eateries every 100 m. We had a well-deserved lunch after starving, and guess what, it was a rooftop restaurant with a perfect view of Alwar city, some historical buildings and the iconic Bala fort. I even remember my grandfather sharing his memories about the city when he had first visited it in the 1970s. The weather was literally in our favour, with the vintage Bollywood melodies running in our car’s FM.
Siliserh Lake – Calm, Scenic, Timeless
Siliserh Jheel, a serene and scenic spot just a short drive from Alwar city. Built in 1845 by Maharaja Vinay Singh as a gift for his queen, this peaceful lake is surrounded by hills and has a charming old palace on its banks. It’s a perfect place to relax, enjoy boating, and take in the natural beauty that contrasts beautifully with Alwar’s historic forts.
30 minutes into the ride, and we reached the majestic Siliserh Jheel. You would not believe it, but each one of us had the same reaction: “Wow!” Awestruck by its beauty and the weather complementing it. We realised that the trip was worth it without even completing it. My brother played with a small puppy who followed him until the jetty. Many Bollywood movies were filmed on these lake premises. Though we could not spot any reptiles, it was still worth it. The lake palace is situated right next to the lake, which now hosts a hotel set up by the state tourism department to promote tourism. While we were having tea in the Siliserh Palace viewpoint, it began to downpour. Within an hour, the downpour intensified, almost like a cyclone in a desert. Thunder, breeze and mud puddles marked our way further as we headed to our next destination, which was Tehla.
TEHLA – our Pehla kadam
We stayed in Tehla, a quiet village near Sariska, surrounded by nature and hills. The calm atmosphere and scenic beauty made it a perfect base to relax and explore nearby places like the Sariska Tiger Reserve. Our hotel was lively too—monkeys were everywhere, adding an unexpected and fun twist to our stay!