Sariska is one of those destinations that surprises you. Most people arrive expecting a tiger reserve but leave with tales of ancient temples, Mughal forts, sacred lakes and scenery that will take you back in time. When going on a trip, here is an ultimate guide on the major Sariska tourist places and make a bucket list of Sariska places to visit while you are there.
Sariska Tiger Reserve
The tiger reserve itself is the main attraction of any Sariska trip. Sariska, spread over 800 sq km of the Aravalli hills, is home to tigers, leopards, striped hyenas, jackals, sambar deer and more than 200 bird species. Jeep safari in the morning and evening drives you deep into the forest, traversing across varied terrains — rocky trails, open grasslands, and dry deciduous forest.
Sariska is the only tiger reserve in the world that has been effectively reestablished with tigers after having its tigers completely eliminated. This deep history alone renders every sighting a remarkable event. Especially from October to April, it is strongly recommended to book safari slots at least 2 weeks in advance.
Neelkanth Temples
Nestled deep in a forest, the Neelkanth temple complex is one of the most wonderful places to visit in Sariska. These are a series of over 300 intricately carved temples, some of which date from the 6th to about the 10th century and are directly related to Lord Shiva. Your drive to them takes you through the jungle itself, making the trip as memorable as the destination.
You have beautifully carved stone carvings – superb artistry overall from an era centuries before. The site is serene, mostly devoid of crowds and possesses a real feeling of history.
Kankwari Fort
A hilltop fortress within the reserve, Kankwari Fort, provides some of the best views in the whole area. The fort has a colourful past — Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb is said to have had his brother Dara Shikoh imprisoned for some time here. You take a jeep ride through the jungle to get to the fort, so it’s a natural fit for an extension of your forest safari. The fort itself is mostly in ruins, but it still looks impressive, and the view of forest glades formed around that site and the Aravalli landscape from up there makes this a great experience.
Siliserh Lake
Siliserh Lake is one of the most peaceful Sariska sightseeing places, located at a distance of about 35 km from the reserve. Constructed in the 19th century by the Maharaja of Alwar for his queen, this lake is situated in low hills and is breathtakingly beautiful during sunrise and sunset.
There is also a heritage hotel by the lake, which allows people to enjoy meals. The lake is also open to boating, but it offers a more tranquil morning or evening away from the forest.
Alwar City and Alwar Museum
Historic Alwar is about 35 kilometres from Sariska and will take half a day to see. Inside the City Palace, the Alwar Museum of royal artefacts is famous for its miniature paintings, ancient manuscripts, armour and carriages from the royal household.
Architecturally, the City Palace itself is stunning. Alwar is also home to many small eateries. There is also a local market, similar to where you can get Rajasthani crafts & snacks.
Bhangarh Fort
Located 90 kilometres from Sariska, Bhangarh Fort is among the best-known heritage sites of Rajasthan and thus easy to visit in a single-day trip. It was a 17th-century fort still intact with spectacular remains: temples, palaces and bustling market streets.
The site is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, and you are allowed to enter during the daytime. Bhangarh is truly stunning in terms of size and layout, which makes it one of the best Sariska tourist places.
Where to Stay: The Beehad
A Sariska sightseeing guide is incomplete without information on where to stay. The Beehad, located in the tough Aravalli terrain, is a homely nature resort, which provides a real ambience of wilderness outside Sariska. The property is that thoughtful use of the terrain – uncluttered and serene. It is excellently located to access the tiger reserve and all the other tourist hot spots. After a day spent roaming around temples, forests and hilltop forts along the path less travelled, The Beehad shows that same quiet sort of comfort you want to linger in just one more spell. Those looking for resorts in Sariska can take their experience a notch higher with The Beehad.
Conclusion
The best time to visit Sariska is between October and April. The months of summer are a bit humid. Most of the places to visit in Sariska are within a comfortable driving distance of each other. This makes it easy to combine the forest with heritage and nature attractions over a two or three-day stay.