My Trip to Alwar with Tarun Bharat Sangh

In July, I had the opportunity to visit Alwar, a district in Rajasthan. Honestly, I was a little nervous before going — Rajasthan in summer has a reputation for unbearable heat, and I expected to see desert, dry winds, and parched land. To my surprise, Alwar was nothing like I had imagined. It was green, hilly, full of rivers, wildlife (especially peacocks), and the air was humid and wet. I traveled with 14 colleagues, and together we enjoyed nature’s beauty every single day we were there.

My whole group with Mr. Singh after plantation

The Journey to Bheekampura

We started our journey by taking an overnight train from Varanasi to Agra, then a bus to Dausa. From there, we hired a jeep to reach the Tarun Bharat Sangh office in Bheekampura. The drive took about an hour and gave us our first glimpse of the stunning Rajasthani landscape — hills covered in greenery, small villages, and a culture that felt so different from my part of India. The food, clothing, and lifestyle were new to me. Even though it was hot and humid, it was not at all unbearable. On our very first day, we already knew this trip was going to be unforgettable.

My whole group

Immersing in Rajasthani Villages

We stayed in Bheekampura for three days, and each day Tarun Bharat Sangh arranged tours with guides and taxis. They took us to remote villages, some so isolated that they didn’t even have proper roads. Communities had created makeshift arrangements for themselves, showcasing resilience and self-reliance. One cultural detail stood out to me — the prevalence of hookah smoking. Many people in Alwar villages smoked hookah, and they claimed it helped treat small health issues like coughs and colds.

Having chai in a local market

Another striking observation was how women covered their faces and heads far more strictly than in other regions I had visited. Men wore large, colorful turbans that not only looked beautiful but also served a practical purpose — protection from the intense summer heat. While some people explained face-covering as protection against the weather, I couldn’t ignore the reality that Rajasthan has long been known for its male-dominated traditions.

Covered faces

Sariska Tiger Reserve

One highlight of our trip was visiting the Sariska Tiger Reserve, about 40 km from where we stayed. As someone deeply concerned about the declining tiger population in India, I was thrilled at the chance to see one in the wild. Although we spent more than eight hours in the reserve, we didn’t see any tigers. Instead, we encountered deer, jackals, chital, sambhar, nilgai, and other animals. We also visited the Pandupol Temple, believed to be the site where Hanuman met Bheem during the Mahabharata era. The Hanuman statue there had a unique style that I had never seen before, distinct to Rajasthan.

Can you believe it is Rajashtan?

An Unexpected Encounter

On our way back, we stopped at another temple tucked away at the foot of a hill, surrounded by thick jungle. The setting was surreal — quiet, isolated, and filled only with the sounds of wind, birds, monkeys, and peacocks. To our astonishment, a solitary Baba lived there. We first saw him standing alone on the rooftop of the temple. He welcomed us warmly, offered chai, and shared stories of his life. He told us he had left home at the age of seven and had spent his life wandering, living in ashrams, and dedicating himself to God. Interestingly, he had even lived in Varanasi during the 1980s.

Lord Hanuman

The Baba gave us a tour of the temple, built on the samadhi of a famous saint, and told us about his encounters with tigers during the dry season. According to him, animals were far more understanding than humans — they always knew who was a friend and who was not. His words stayed with me long after we left.

Rajasthani woman

Reflections on the Trip

After days of exploring villages, temples, and wildlife, we returned to the Tarun Bharat Sangh office, tired but grateful. This was not the kind of trip any travel agent could organize. It gave us access to hidden places, genuine communities, and unforgettable experiences. On our way back, we boarded a train from Bandikui to Varanasi, ending our journey. But Alwar left a lasting impression on me — the hospitality of Tarun Bharat Sangh, the resilience of the villages, the warmth of the people, the breathtaking wildlife, and the colorful traditions of Rajasthan.

This trip was truly one of a kind, and I will always cherish it.

Kids