Somehow Rajasthan never ceases to amaze me!!
From astronomical observatories to massive forts, to having the second largest wall in the world, to the intricate craftsmanship in the chambers of royalty at city palaces, to sand-dunes to even wildlife reserves!!
How to Reach Sawai Madhopur
By Flight:
Sanganer Airport at Jaipur is the nearest airport to Sawai Madhopur, which is located 180 kms away.
By Train:
Sawai Madhopur Junction Railway Station is the major railway station that is well connected to all major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, etc.
By Car:
From Delhi: Time Taken: 7.5 to 8 hrs
1. Via NH 48 and NH 148: Delhi –> Gurugram –> Maneswar –> Bhiwadi –> Bawal –> Neemrana –> Behror –> Kotputli –> Paota –> Shahpura –> Bhangarh –>Dausa –> Lalsot –> Sawai Madopur
2. Via Yamuna EXPY and NH 21: Delhi –> Noida –> Vrindavan –> Bharatpur –> Mehandipur –>Dausa –> Lalsot –> Sawai Madopur
From Mumbai, Chennai and other major cities, it is advisable to travel by flight or by train.
Best Time To Pack Your Bags For Sawai Madhopur
October to April (the temperature remains low in the winter months but otherwise pleasant). Personally I love the winters in Rajasthan compared to any other time of the year but visiting Sawai Madhopur would mean visiting Ranthambore and sighting tigers! Because of the high numbers, tigers are usually sighted but may be missed at times!
History:
Located in southeast Rajasthan, known as the “Gateway to Ranthambore”, Sawai Madhopur was founded by Maharaja Madho Singh I of Jaipur as a planned city and named after him.
Places of Interest to Visit in Sawai Madhopur
Ranthambore Fort
Believed to be built in the eighth century by the Chauhan rulers, Ranthambore Fort is an established example of a forest hill fort that has been declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Located at the top of the Thambore hill within Ranthambore National Park, the fort is surrounded by the Vindhyas and Aravallis. The construction of the fort, started by Chauhan King Sapaldaksha in 945 AD was believed to be completed by another Chauhan King Jayant in 1100 AD. Throughout history, this fort has been subjected to invasion and recapture by the Mamluks, Chauhans, Khalijis, Hada Rajputs of Bundi, and the Mughals, and finally was handed over by the Mughals to the Kachwaha Maharajas of Jaipur. Being of historical importance and architecturally splendid, this fort is a major tourist attraction because of the various sections like Hammir Court, Dullah Mahal along with gateways or pols, war monuments and memorials.
# Sections Inside The Fort That Can be Explored
Pols or Gateways
There seven pols starting with Navlakha Pol, followed by Hathia Pol, Ganesh Pol facing south, Delhi Gate located in the north-west corner, Satpol – the loftiest gateway facing south, Suraj Pol which is the smallest gateway facing east and lastly Andheri Pol facing north.
Hammir Court
An open court allocated for special acoustics where even today low whisper echoes can be heard in every part of the court.
Trinetra Ganesh Temple
Believed to be the “Pratham Ganesha” or first Ganesha among Hindus, This temple is one of the main attractions of the fort where people flock to offer prayers.
Bada Mahal
Basically a court with 84 columns where Hammir Singh used to conduct his meetings and conferences. Situated on the northern part of the fort, this is another attraction that shouldn’t be missed as it appears to be built in the clouds due to its altitude
Gupt Ganga
Among the lakes and ponds present in the fort, Gupt Ganga is one of the four sources of water present in the fort that does not dry even in summers!! It also acts as a source of water for wildlife and if lucky tourists can spot quite a few rare animals there.
Bhamttiskhamba Chattri
A dome that is supported by 32 pillars, may presently be in ruins, but it displays glimpses of the past through the carvings and murals on the structure.
Entry Fee: Free
Timing: 6:00am to 6:00pm
Time Taken to Explore: 2 to 3 hrs
Ranthambore National Park
Residence of the ever-elusive tiger, Ranthambore National Park is the highlight of Sawai Madhopur. This dry deciduous forest is not just home to the tiger but also various other animals and birds like sloth bear, leopard, caracal, jackal, fox, hyena, mongoose, sambhar deer, nilgai, rhesus monkey, langurs, vultures, serpent eagle and so on. Spread over an area of 392 sq.km along with other sanctuaries in its proximity like the Mansingh Sanctuary and Kaila Devi Sanctuary, this is one of the best locations to watch these elegant beasts in their natural habitat. With the national park divided into 10 safari zones, all the zones have good tiger population, but what makes a good zone is the chance of spotting one. Considering that Zone 2 and Zone 5 are the best zones for tiger spotting. Zone 3 and 4 consists of many lakes with green landscape surrounding them which is considered the best place to spot the tigers especially in summer seasons. Although all the zones have good number of tigers, spotting one also depends on your luck. So you should give it a shot!
Entry Fee: None But Charges are based on Safaris selected
Timing: 6:00am to 6:00pm
Time Taken to Explore: 2 to 3 hrs or more
Chauth Mata Temple
Built by Maharaja Bhim Singh, it is one of the famous temples in Rajasthan where you need to climb 500 steps to reach the temple.
Entry Fee: Free
Timing: 6:00am to 6:00pm
Time Taken to Explore: 2 to 3 hrs
The Rajiv Gandhi Regional Museum
Located 9 kms from Sawai Madhopur, this museum that spread across 7.2 acres of land was founded with the goal of creating awareness of diverse life on earth. In fact, it houses a staggering 10,000 books on wildlife an nature!!!
Entry Fee: Free
Timing: 10:00am to 5:00pm (Except Mondays and Public holidays)
Kachida Valley
Kachida Valley is located on the outskirts of Ranthambore National Park and has a substantial population of panthers who migrated to avoid conflict with the tigers. Other animals are also present here and it is a great place for photography since it overlooks the national park.
Entry Fee: Nominal (per head), charges are for jeep safari.
Timing: 6:00am to 5:00pm
Time Taken to Explore: 2 to 3 hrs
Khandar Fort
40 kms away from Sawai Madhopur, this ancient fort is situated on the outskirts of Ranthambore National Park. Strategically lying on a vertical hill, this fort has three big doors at the entrance but because of its location it was not easily invaded. Before being taken over by the Mughals, this imposing fortification was ruled by Sisodia Kings of Mewar.
Entry Fee: None
Timing: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Time Taken to Explore: 2 to 3 hrs
Amareshwar Mahadev Temple
Believed to be 1200 years old, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and perched on hills that lead to Ranthambore National Park. Bus service from Dungri village and jeep service from Ranthambore fort drops tourists close to the Amareshwar Mahadev Temple. From the drop-off point one need to walk 1 km through the jungle of Ranthambore to reach the temple.
Entry Fee: Free
Timing: 6:00am to 6:00pm
Shilpgram
Located 9 kms from Sawai Madhopur, spread over a sprawling 22 acres of land this ethnic village is an instant tourist attraction that displays the artwork of the local artisans.
Entry Fee: INR 15 (Indian kids)
INR 30 (Indian adults)
INR 50 (Foreign adults)
Some of the best Hotels to Stay
You can either opt for luxury stay, or modest stays depending on your budget. But between those two types, there also exists Unique Stays!! Based on the budget the stays are mentioned below.
Hotels & Stays That Are Above INR 10,000
The Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort
Design inspired by the opulent caravans of royal families, this 5-star accommodation offers some exquisite experiences like dining by the lake, dinner at the Mango Orchard, private yoga session, Chambal River safari, opportunity to see indigenous tribal culture on the banks of Banas, bird watching at Surwal Lake and many more.
P.S. – Resort is closed until 31st August 2022 for maintenance
Price of Accommodation: Starts from INR 39,000/night (excluding tax)
Book here
Fateh’s Retreat
Fateh’s Retreat is home of the “Tiger Guru” – Fateh Singh Rathore, a renowned Indian Tiger Conservationist, born in a village near Jodhpur who was widely acknowledged for his knowledge of the big cat. Overlooking the view of the forests and the Aravallis, this stay provides a perfect opportunity to live within the confines of a jungle setting.
Price of Accommodation: Starts from INR 11,800/night (including tax)
Book here
Nahargarh Ranthambore
Opulence amidst nature – that’s what describes Nahargarh Ranthambore! With a grand dining hall replete with intricate mirror work and Hathi Kund with exquisite marble craftsmanship, swimming pool, military-themed Lancer’s Bar, Amphitheatre and a unique spa that reeks of royalty, this is the boutique stay that knows how to pamper their guests.
Price of Accommodation: Starts from INR 10,935/night (excluding tax)
Book here
Aranya Nature Resort
A sprawling 20 acre property that houses a restaurant, a pool, and 14 luxury rooms with balconies overlooking the mountains and also grand tents, this luxury boutique stay is for all – couples, families, group of friends or even business associates. While lazing on the balcony you might just spot a hyena or other wildlife!
Price of Accommodation: Starts from INR 10,477/night (excluding tax)
Book here
Sujan Sher Bagh
Reflective of the regal era where kings used to camp in jungles during their hunts and the sheer luxuries that accompanied their stay.
Price of Accommodation: Starts from INR 49,000/night (excluding tax)
Book here
Six Senses Fort Barwara
The stay manifests print of a bygone era of royal opulence and contemporary Rajasthani style.
Price of Accommodation: Starts from INR 47,000/night (including taxes)
Book here
Hotels & Stays That Are Between INR 5,000 - INR 10,000
The Earth at Ranthambore
Conceived to rejuvenate mind and soul by bringing one closer to nature and wildlife, the Mud Cottages are built with sustainable materials from the surrounding areas. It offers a unique experience of earthy stay with modern amenities.
Price of Accommodation: Starts from INR 6120/night (excluding tax)
Book here
Sawai Vilas Ranthambore
Price of Accommodation: Starts from INR 8,500/night (excluding tax)
Book here
Ranthambore Tiger Inn Comfort Resort
Price of Accommodation: Starts from INR 7,000/night (excluding tax)
Book here
Other Places to Visit Around Sawai Madhopur
Hathi Bhata
Located in Tonk, this historical heritage is believed to be built either by Ramnath Salat during the reign of Sawai Ramsingh in Samvat 1200 or 1144 AD or by the Pandavas during their exile. Inscriptions on its right ear provides evidence of its historical importance. It is a great place to visit for a half day trip.
Sunehri Kothi
Built by Nawab Mohammed Ibrahim Ali Khan who was a patron of art, Sunehri Kothi remains a marvel of artwork and architectural excellence. Situated near Bada Kuan, it prides on having a Sheesh Mahal that gives a glimpse of amazing glass and floral work as well as Meenakari work.
Bisaldeo Temple
Located 60 - 80 kms from Tonk, this stunning temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is built on the banks of Bisalpur Dam and is visited by many. The entire set-up presents a serene sight of worship and worthy of a visit.
Hadi Rani Baori
Best known as the stepwell where Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukherjee's movie "Paheli" that was shot here, this baori or stepwell was built in memory of brave Hadi Rani, wife of a chieftain Chundawat of Salumbar in Mewar. She sacrificed herself to avoid being her husband's distraction while he went to war with Aurangazeb! Be it the history behind it or the absolutely breathtaking architecture, this place remains fascinating to the tourists.
Garh Palace
Known as the Jewel of Bundi, Garh Palace is the perfect example of exquisite Rajasthani architectures decorated with elaborate paintings of day to day Bundi life along with housing Bundi frescoes.
Cave Paintings at Bhimlat
Interested to see how pre-historic people used to paint?? Check this place out! But you would need someone like Om Prakash Sharma or Kukki to show you around the cave paintings of Bhimlat. He is the one who discovered this place. Although the exact date of these paintings hasn't been accurately decrypted, it is supposed to be around 15,000 years old!!
Chitrashala
Chitrashala, also known as Ummed Mahal was built by Raja Rao Umed Singh and as the name suggests this is a gallery where artwork is exhibited. Artwork on the life of Krishna, depiction of his Raasleela and other fascinating murals are on display here.
Entry Timing: 8:00am to 5:00pm
Entry Fee: INR 100 for both Indians and Foreigners
Raniji-ki-Baori
Another perfect example of stunning geometry is Raniji ki Boari at Bundi. This stepwell is 46 metres deep with noteworthy carvings on its pillars and arched gate!
Dhabhai Kund
Another stepwell built near Raniji ki Baori and known for its geometric construction is Dhabhai Kund. This is the largest Kund in Bundi but is unfortunately not well-maintained.
Like I had mentioned before, Rajasthan never stops surprising - be its detailed intricate designs, colossal forts, dry arid deserts, spicy food, or even a not-so-confortable camel ride! But every time you visit you see a different side of Rajasthan; and with its unique topography Sawai Madhopur offers no less. It shows an aspect of Rajasthan which is very different from the the arid dry desert, it shows you a vast expanse of green cover and wildlife in their natural habitat.
So, are you ready to explore the various facets of Rajasthan in Sawai Madhopur? Well, it is surely getting my interest piqued!!
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