Places near Delhi for a Weekend Getaway

There are many places near Delhi that are ideal for a weekend getaway. Within a four-hour radius, you can visit the foothills of the Himalayas, historical cities dating back hundreds of years, ancient forts and lakeside resorts. From Delhi, you can venture to some amazing destinations in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan with equal speed and convenience.

One great way to spend your weekend getaway is to visit the many interesting forts and palaces in Rajasthan. These trips can be very peaceful and rewarding and also help you to learn more about the history and culture of India. Ancient monuments can be very revealing as they are the best way to understand how civilization developed.

If you are travelling with children, ancient monuments can be educational and enriching. They can spark a lifelong interested in history and culture that enables children to embark on a self-propelled journey of discovery to understand the world around them on a deeper level. For adults too, ancient monuments can be a good diversion from the hassles of everyday life and lead to incredible new perspectives.

There are so many forts and palaces in Rajasthan that you may not know where to go. Lets take a look at one interesting fort that is very old but also located close enough to Delhi so that you can reach it easily within the 4-hour limit. This is Dadhikar Fort, which is not just a great place to visit but also allows guests to stay within the structure for a novel experience.

About Dadhikar Fort

Built by the Chand Dynasty in the 9^th century A.D., the origins of Dadhikar Fort are probably much older. Old forts are living monuments that tend to be rebuilt and remodeled periodically, as successive generations add, modify, improve and expand upon the earlier design. Thus, over time, these monuments are honed to perfection and carry the collective wisdom of thousands of years.

The Dadhikar Fort is a daunting and majestic structure built upon a strategic spot to give the inhabitants sweeping views of the surrounding areas. It is well fortified with tall walls and was later made into a military installation when the Chand family shifted their residence to the nearby Bala Kila. From here, the dynasty would repel attacks from invaders and also plan military excursions into enemy territory.

Interestingly, the area around Dadhikar Fort has several villages that still display signs of the native culture that flourished here thousands of years ago. Distinctive styles of cooking, pottery, singing and paintings denote a direct link to the ancient civilization that built the fort and before that, created some beautiful rock art found in the caves around the structure.

To get a better look at the cave paintings found here, you can visit the caves in Hajjipur village where rock art dating back 6000 years has been discovered by archaeologists. The designs are fascinating to peruse and boast of an advanced sense of aesthetics and geometry that is still attractive today. The paintings are remarkably well preserved and involve scenes of hunting, dancing and playing.

Dadhikar fort was closed to the public for many years without any proper administration or maintenance, which left it in a state of disrepair. The current owner purchased the property in 1997 and after a decade of restoration, opened it to the public in 2007. Since then, the fort has enjoyed heavy footfall and the proceeds have enabled the owners to return it to its former glory.

Where to Stay

If you are visiting Alwar to check out the Dadhikar Fort. It is one the best resorts in Alwar. The Fort is now a well-run resort and offers 18 different rooms and suites of various shapes and sizes. You can check out details about the rooms on their website and then choose one that fits your requirements. Whatever room you choose, you are to have a unique travel experience with all the comforts and luxuries of a world-class resort.

Besides the rooms, the food at the Dadhikar resort is also very good. Their in-house restaurant has an outdoor section from where you can get breathtaking views of the Aravalli Hills while you dine. The breakfast buffet is an impressive spread, which includes local specialties as well as international selections to start your day off on the right note.

In the evenings, the Fort organizes some interesting shows which feature local artists engaging in traditional art forms such as dancing, singing and telling stories. In the winters there is a bonfire, which allows guests to comingle and share experiences. Overall, the management of the fort is very effective and seeks to make each stay spectacular and memorable. A weekend at Dadhikar is exactly what Delhiites need.