Alwar - The Gateway to Rajasthan, India

Most people plan roses, gifts, and candlelight dinners for Valentine’s Day. Me? I looked at the calendar, realized the 14th was around the corner, and thought, *“Well, love might not be in the air for me, but diesel fumes surely are!”* 🚗💨

So, instead of sulking, I called up my equally single friends (our WhatsApp group is literally used to be called “Forever Aloners”) and within hours we had a plan — a road trip from Delhi to Alwar, one of the quirkiest yet charming weekend getaways from Delhi.

Delhi - Jaipur Highway

The Journey: Delhi to Alwar on NH48

We left Delhi at 7 AM sharp, my car shining like she was ready for her first fashion show. She begged me to test her speed limits, but as a responsible citizen (read: my mom was watching my Instagram stories), I didn’t. Instead, we cruised through an empty highway, cracking jokes and singing off-key Bollywood songs.

But fate (and hunger) struck at Behror. Stuck in a massive jam, we had no choice but to stop at a Rajasthan Tourism restaurant. Food? Decent. Hygiene? Good. Hunger level? Neutralized. Two hours lost, but at least our stomachs forgave us.

Tunnel on the way

Gateway to Alwar

Alwar’s Star Attraction: Bala Qila Fort

By 2 PM, we finally rolled into Alwar, Rajasthan. Our first stop: Bala Qila (Alwar Fort), perched proudly on the Aravalli hills. Entry requires permission, but luckily, our “responsible” friend handled it.

The fort was massive, mysterious, and perfect for our nonsense. One friend suddenly turned into a history professor, narrating stories about kings and queens…until he admitted he made them all up. We almost reenacted a scene from *Game of Thrones* and threw him off the fort walls.

Inside, another friend went full Manjulika mode (yes, Bhool Bhulaiyaa vibes) and started making ghost noises in the dark chambers. Meanwhile, I was busy clicking “artsy” shots on my Canon and pretending to be a travel influencer.

But the view from the top — oh boy! The golden sunlight flooding Alwar city was worth every pothole we crossed. For a moment, it felt like the fort whispered, “See, this is why Rajasthan is called the Land of Kings.”

                           

View from Bala Qila

                                      

Boundary Wall - Bala Qila

                            

A Peacock, PJs & Pure Fun

As we left the beautiful place, On our way downhill, I hit the brakes. A peacock stood right in the middle of the road, flaunting his royal feathers like he owned NH48. Naturally, I tried to capture him, but he sprinted away faster than our weekend savings. Still, even that glimpse was magical.

Inside the car, laughter resumed. Our “Manjulika friend” was back with his terrible PJs, and honestly, that’s the charm of road trips with friends. You may miss out on some sights, but the company makes every moment memorable.

                           

Other Best Places to Visit in Alwar (If You Have Time)

We couldn’t cover all (thanks, Behror traffic 😒), but here’s what you should add to your list:

• Siliserh Lake – Perfect for boating & a peaceful picnic.
• Sariska Tiger Reserve – A must for wildlife lovers (and tiger-spotters).
• City Palace & Alwar Museum – Blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture.
• Moosi Maharani ki Chhatri – A royal cenotaph that’s picture-perfect.

Travel Guide: Weekend Getaway from Delhi to Alwar

Best Time to Visit Alwar: 

• October to March – Perfect weather for forts, lakes & tiger safaris.
• July to September – Monsoon magic, but roads can be messy.
• April to June – Skip unless you want free sauna treatment.

 

How to Reach Alwar

• By Road: Delhi to Alwar = ~4 hours via NH48. Perfect for a road trip.
• By Train: Alwar Junction connects to Delhi & Jaipur.
• By Air: Nearest airports – Delhi (160 km) & Jaipur (150 km).

 

🍴 Food Recommendations in Alwar

• Alwar ka Kalakand – The sweet that made Alwar famous.
• Dal Baati Churma – A Rajasthani classic.
• Pyaz Kachori & Mirchi Vada – Best enjoyed with cutting chai.
• Highway Dhabas – Parathas drowning in butter & jumbo lassis.

 

Final Thoughts

This wasn’t the perfectly planned romantic Valentine’s Day, but it was definitely one for the books. Sometimes, all you need is an old fort, fake history lessons, ghost noises, a peacock on the road, and a bunch of friends who turn every pothole into a memory.