Though Alwar is not very renowned, but there are some amazing places to visit in and around Alwar.
To know more details on how to travel to Alwar, where to stay etc, please check our previous post – Alwar
This post is about the places which are around an hour away from Alwar and quite picturesque ones.
Chand Baori
Chand Baori is in Abhaneri which is about 1.5 hrs away from Alwar en route to Jaipur. This place is very near to the main highway connecting Alwar and Jaipur. Just a single turn from the main highway and about 1 km from that highway would lead you to this place (GPS would be your best friend- look for directions to Abhaneri – from there sign boards will guide you Chand Baori )
Baori in Hindi means step well. So as the name suggest this is a step well which was constructed in 800-900 AD. Rajasthan is extremely hot and arid region in India and thereby to conserve rain water, many step wells were constructed in Rajasthan. Chand Baori happens to be one of the oldest and massive structure of its kind.
How to Plan your trip to Chand Baori?
Half day is more than sufficient to visit this place (plus the traveling). If you are into photography, then probably you could spend a whole day here. Also, if you love architecture then this place is must visit.
Guides are also available for both Indian and foreign tourist. If you need a guide other than from Hindi & English, please check with tour operators from Jaipur.
Where to stay in/near Chand Baori ?
As Chand Baori is in a village and on way of Jaipur- Alwar highway, its best to stay either in Alwar or Jaipur.
Some tips for Chand Baori travel.
Best season to visit this place is definitely the winter months say from November to February.
This place is about old architecture, so please don’t expect any kind of luxury facility for that matter even food. Please carry your own food and water as there is only a small teastall near this place.
Note: Going down the step well is restricted and is allowed only through a permit which can be taken from Jaipur only.
Our Experience
It was more like a picnic for us, we were leaving for Jaipur airport and we decided to take a short detour to this place. We left early from Alwar as we had planned to visit this place, initially we got confused as from where we should take the left but google maps and people on the way were quite helpful. We sat in the garden outside the Baori and had our lunch, it was such a good experience and we felt nostalgic about the picnics we used to have in our childhood time. This place just makes you feel that even back then people could build such magnificent structures. Also, to our surprise we saw many parrots in Chand Boari, its just that we hadn’t seen parrots in a while so it was kind of cherry on the cake.We just spent an hour or two exploring this place though we wished we could have spend more time but we had a flight to catch so we made most out of what we had.
Interesting fact: Many movies like – Dark Knight Rises (Batman), Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Bhul bhulaiya etc have some scenes shot in Chand Baori.
Mangalsar Dam
This place is about 65 kms away from Alwar and again a very nice place to visit during and after monsoon season in India.
Mangalsar is man made Dam in middle of nowhere. This is also very famous for people who are interested in bird watching as lot many exotic species visit this place during winter months.
How to travel to Mangalsar Dam ?
Driving to this place is the best way to reach. Apart from a small patch, the road leading to this place is in good condition. We used google maps to reach to this place (Just a pointer – don’t take the road which passes through Sariska as it is not in good condition)
How to plan a trip to Mangalsar Dam ?
This place is perfect for a short day picnic. Very close to Bhangarh fort (famous for being Haunted), this place is a must visit for those who love water bodies in middle of no where. For people traveling from Delhi can combine Bhangarh and Mangalsar dam.
We would suggest a minimum of 2 hours but you spend a whole day doing nothing here. Also do carry your own food and water.
Where to stay near Mangalsar Dam ?
If you want to have luxury stay near this place then I would recommend Vanaashrya camping resort. If saw few more hotel sign boards near to this place. You can also stay in Alwar (Dhadhigarh fort) and travel to this place.
Our Experience
In March 2014, we went for this short impromptu trip. After reading about this place in local newspaper we decided to take a short trip there. As in March many exotic birds flock this place, we thought it would be a different experience.
The road to this place was quite good and we stopped in between to see couple of farms and to have tea and snacks at small stalls. It is always interesting to make these small pit stops.
It was a bright sunny day but we had got a nice place to sit near the lake under the shade of a tree. We carried our own food & water and had this small family picnic. Also, as the place was very calm and serene and weather being very pleasant, we enjoyed our short stay at this place. Though we didn’t see any exotic birds but still the place was worth the visit.
Fledgling Travelers 