Rajasthan
EASTERN
R AJASTHAN
Rajasthan
Sl EEP iNG & E AT iNG
Rajasthan
Al WAR
Bakhtawar Singh who performed sati (self-
immolation) on his funeral pyre – after this
act she was promoted to wifely status.
4 ̈Sleeping ̈& ̈Eating
Hotel ̈Sumangal ̈ HOTEl $
(%9413057900; Bus Stand Rd; s/d ₹200/400)
One of a handful of very basic cheapies near
the bus stand, Sumangal is a little on the
grubby side (you’ll want to use your own
sleeping sheet), and has tap-and-bucket
showers only, but it’s kept neat and tidy and
management is welcoming. Turn right out
of the bus stand and it’s on your right after
100m.
Hotel ̈Aravali ̈ HOTEl $$
(%2332883; http://www.hotelaravali.co.in; Nehru Rd;
s/d from ₹800/1000, with AC from ₹1400/1600;
aWs) Ideal if you arrive by train, Aravali
is a long-standing, well-run hotel with large,
clean, well-furnished rooms that have bed-
side reading lamps, cute whitewashed table
and chairs, and big bathrooms with hot-
water showers. There’s a summer-only pool
and some garden seating. Has a decent
restaurant (mains ₹100 to ₹200) and a bar
(beers from ₹75). Free wi-fi, but breakfast is
only included with the AC rooms. Turn left
out of the train station and it’s about 200m
down the road on the right.
Alwar ̈Hotel ̈ GUESTHOUSE $$$
(%2700012; http://www.alwarhotel.com; 25-26 Manu
Rd; s/d incl breakfast ₹1750/2500; aiW) A
1950s home converted into a lovely little
guesthouse, Alwar is a peaceful place to stay
with spacious, comfortable, well-renovated
rooms, a neatly manicured garden and a
good restaurant. The affable owner can be
helpful with general information and sight-
seeing advice, and can help arrange trips to
Sariska. Free wi-fi. Turn right out of the bus
station then take the first proper turning
on your right (about 300m). Alwar is about
400m down this road on your left.
oPrem ̈Pavitra ̈Bhojnalaya ̈ iND iAN $
(near Hope Circle; mains ₹40-70; h10.30am-4pm
& 6.30pm-10pm) An institution in Alwar, this
low-key restaurant has been going since
- It is in the heart of the old town and
serves fresh, tasty pure veg food – try the
delicious aloo parathas (bread stuffed with
spicy potato) and palak paneer (unfer-
mented cheese cubes in spinach puree). The
chapatis here are top drawer and the special
kheer (rice cakes smothered in yoghurt and
honey) is worth every one of its 48 rupees.
Turn right out of the bus station, take the
first left (towards Hope Circle) and it’s on
your left after 100m.Angeethi ̈ MU lTiCU iSiNE $
(Manu Rd, Alwar Hotel; mains ₹75-200; hTue-
Sun) Alwar Hotel’s restaurant serves decent
Indian, Continental and Chinese food; the
South Indian selection is particularly good.
It’s slightly gloomy in the restaurant but you
can eat in the pleasant garden.8 Information
There’s a handful of ATMs on your right if you
turn right out of the bus station, including one
at the State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur (SBBJ),
which also changes money and travellers
cheques. if you continue past this bank and take
the first proper turning on the right, you’ll find
an internet cafe (per hr ₹20; h10am-9pm) on
your right.
Tourist Reception Centre (%2347348; Nehru
Rd; h10am-5pm Mon-Sat) Near the train sta-
tion, this helpful office gives out a useful map
of the town and can help arrange homestays
in Alwar (₹500 to ₹1500). Turn left out of the
train station and it’s on your right, just before
Hotel Aravali.8 Getting ̈There ̈& ̈Around
A cycle-rickshaw between the bus and train
stations costs ₹30. look out for the new shared
taxis that ply fixed routes around town. They
come in the form of white minvans and have the
word ‘Vahini’ printed on their side doors. One
handy route goes past Hotel Aravali, the Tourist
Reception Centre and the train station before
continuing on to the bus station and terminating
a short walk from Vinay Vilas Mahal (the palace
complex). it costs ₹10 per person.BUS
Buses to Alwar from Delhi (₹139, four hours)
leave regularly from Sarai Kale Khan bus station,
which is next to Hazrat Nizamuddin train station.
Services from Alwar bus station include:
Bharatpur (₹87, four hours, every hour from
5am to 8.30pm)
Deeg (₹58, 2½ hours, every hour from 5am to
8.30pm)
Delhi (₹134, four hours, every 20 minutes from
5am to 9pm)
Jaipur (₹120, four hours, half-hourly from 6am
to 10.30pm)
Sariska (₹25, one hour, half-hourly from 6am
to 10.30pm)