RAJGARH

Located 22 miles south of Alwar, among the prettily wooded valleys, characteristic of this part of Rajasthan, is the old hill top Fort Of Rajgarh. It was built by Raja Pratap Singh, the founder of the State of Alwar and often referred to as the "Bismarck of Alwar". In 1771 this fort was the site of the old capital before the new capital was set up at Alwar.

An old photograph of Alwar

It was later turned into a summer palace. A 19th century British traveler described this valley as "A Perfect Earthly Paradise". There the walls of the well-kept fort of Rajgarh are picturesquely perched on a hill which rises out of a green and fertile tree embowered valley. Today the fort is somewhat dilapidated. But still worth visiting, with its curious fading frescos, its old Sheesh Mahal and its tales of secret passages. At the bottom of the hill is a town with narrow alley walls and old havelis set amid the citrus groves. The entire surrounding region is dotted with the ruins of old hill forts, standing like silent sentinels.


BHANGARH

On the outskirts of Sariska Tiger Reserve, 33 miles from its gate, lies the splendid, old ruined town of Bhangarh - its crumbling pavilion, walls and temple silent in the wilderness, against the backdrop of the forested hills. Built in the early 17th century by Raja Madho Singh I this was once a city of ten thousand homes.

Temple at Bhangarh

The medieval bazaar recently restored, is fascinated and evocative of the town's ancient prosperity. Beyond it, at the foot of the hills, lie the ruins of the old palace and Someshwar Temple, with its fine carvings and its tank nearby is the temple of Gopinath with its carved pillars and corbel dome. Not far away is another ruined monument now indelicately labeled "RANDIYON KA MAHAL" ("Palace of the Prostitute"). Over looking all of this is a cupola on the hills from where, if you are adventurous, you can get a great view of the superb landscape .According to legend the town was cursed by an evil magician and had to be abandoned. The curse is still believed to operate.

BAIRAT

The village of Bairat, 40 miles south-west of Alwar has a remarkably rich history, boasting monuments and legends from at least three different epochs. Here on a low hills are the ruins of a 3rd century BC Buddhist chaitya or chapel the oldest freestanding structure anywhere in India You can see the foundations of the circular building and the niches for the twenty-six octagonal wooden pillars that once supported it.

A cityscape view of Bairat

Among the huge rock overhead are the remains of a monastery. Not far away is a rock edict of Emperor Ashoka, also from the 3rd century, indicating that this was an important town in that era. However, the history of Bairat goes back even further, to the time of the epic of Mahabharata around 1100 BC and this is said to have been the site of the great city of Viratnagar where the Pandavas heroes, with their wife Draupadi, Spent the thirteen year of their exile. Nothing remained of the ancient city, although archaeological finds do indicate the area's great antiquity. Nearby is a little known neglected but charming 16th century chhatri where Emperor Akbar is said to have hunted and stayed overnight en route on his pilgrimage to Ajmer(It is worth seeing for the elegant murals that adorn its chambers).