Siliserh Lake sits about 13 km south-west of Alwar city, in Alwar district, Rajasthan, on the fringe of the Aravalli hills near Sariska. It is an artificial lake built in 1845, edged by dense woodland and cenotaphs, with a hilltop palace looking down on the water. For most travellers it is a half-day escape from Alwar: a boat ride, a long view across the hills, and a slow lunch at an old hunting lodge.
Siliserh Lake is an artificial reservoir in Alwar district, Rajasthan, built in 1845 by Maharaja Vinay Singh to supply water to Alwar. According to Wikipedia, it covers roughly 7 sq km and lies 8 miles (about 13 km) south-west of the city, with the RTDC-run Siliserh Lake Palace on a low hill above it.
Key takeaways
- Siliserh Lake is in Alwar district, Rajasthan, about 13 km (8 miles) south-west of Alwar city on the Alwar–Sariska side of the Aravalli hills.
- Maharaja Vinay Singh built the lake in 1845 by damming a tributary of the Ruparel river to supply water to Alwar, according to the Incredible India and Wikipedia entries.
- The hilltop Siliserh Lake Palace, built for Queen Shila Devi and once a royal hunting lodge, now runs as a heritage hotel under the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC).
- Best season is October to March; the woodlands hold over 100 bird species, including cranes and kingfishers, per Incredible India, and winter brings migratory birds.
- On 12 December 2025 Siliserh Lake was declared India’s 96th Ramsar wetland site and Rajasthan’s fifth, according to the Free Press Journal.
- Nearest railhead is Alwar Junction (about 13 km); nearest airports are Jaipur (about 150 km) and Delhi (about 166 km).
About Siliserh Lake and the 1845 origin
Siliserh Lake is a man-made lake in Alwar district, Rajasthan, created in 1845 when Maharaja Vinay Singh built an embankment across a tributary of the Ruparel river. According to the Incredible India entry, his aim was practical: to bring a steady water supply to Alwar city. The old aqueducts around the lake still survive as evidence of that purpose.
The setting is the eastern edge of the Aravalli range, close to the boundary of Sariska Tiger Reserve. Wikipedia records the lake as roughly 7 sq km in area, spreading toward 10 sq km after a strong monsoon, with a maximum depth of about 32 ft (9.8 m). Its embankment is flanked by woodland and small cenotaphs, and the water reflects the low brown hills around it.
In December 2025 the lake gained national attention. According to the Free Press Journal, Siliserh Lake was declared a Ramsar wetland of international importance, becoming India’s 96th such site and the fifth in Rajasthan. Union minister Bhupendra Yadav said the listing “has given the lake global importance.” For a casual visitor little changes day to day, but it signals that the wetland and its birdlife now carry formal protection.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Alwar district, Rajasthan; about 13 km south-west of Alwar city |
| Built | 1845, by Maharaja Vinay Singh of Alwar |
| Type | Artificial lake on a tributary of the Ruparel river |
| Area | About 7 sq km (up to ~10 sq km after a good monsoon), per Wikipedia |
| Setting | Aravalli hills, near Sariska Tiger Reserve |
| Coordinates | 27.5292° N, 76.5286° E |
| Status | Ramsar wetland site since 12 December 2025 (Free Press Journal) |
| Best season | October to March |
The Siliserh Lake Palace
The Siliserh Lake Palace is a 19th-century royal building on a low hill above the water, built by Maharaja Vinay Singh and now run as an RTDC heritage hotel. According to the Incredible India entry, Vinay Singh raised the palace as a tribute to his queen, Shila Devi, a princess of Bharatpur. It began as a royal hunting lodge and lakeside retreat before passing to the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation.
The building is compact rather than grand, and its appeal is the position. Balconies and the terrace look straight down the length of the lake to the Aravalli ridgelines, which is why it draws day visitors as much as overnight guests. A traveller account on Tripoto describes about 12 rooms across a few categories, with indoor and outdoor dining; treat room counts and condition as a visitor report, not an official figure.
You do not have to stay the night to enjoy the palace. Non-residents generally come up for a meal, a drink on the terrace, or to start a boat ride, with the lake filling the view below. If you are stringing together Rajasthan’s lake-and-palace properties on a longer route, this makes a useful northern bookend before heading toward the desert cities covered in our Jodhpur travel guide.
Best time to visit Siliserh Lake
The best time to visit Siliserh Lake is October to March, when the air is cool and migratory birds arrive on the water. The Incredible India entry recommends the cooler months of October to February for the lake, and winter is also when the surrounding woodlands are busiest with birds. Summers in this part of Rajasthan are hot and better avoided for daytime sightseeing.
The monsoon, roughly July to September, raises the water level and greens the hills, which many visitors find the most photogenic stretch of the year. Boating and road access can be affected by heavy rain, so check locally before setting out. The table below sets out the seasons for planning.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | October–March | Cool, clear days; best for boating and migratory birds; peak visiting season |
| Summer | April–June | Hot and dry; early mornings only; fewer visitors |
| Monsoon | July–September | Full lake, green hills; possible rain disruption to boating and roads |
How to reach Siliserh Lake
The easiest way to reach Siliserh Lake is to drive about 13 km south-west from Alwar, the district headquarters, which has the nearest railway station and the best road links. According to the Incredible India entry, the nearest airports are Jaipur International Airport and Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, and the nearest railhead is Alwar Junction (station code AWR).
By road, Alwar sits roughly 166 km from Delhi and about 150–160 km from Jaipur, around three hours each way, per the distance figures on Holidify. From Alwar city, Siliserh is a short taxi or auto ride on the Alwar–Sariska road. There is no direct public transport dedicated to the lake, so a hired car or taxi from Alwar is the usual approach.
By rail, Alwar Junction lies on the busy Delhi–Jaipur line and is well served by express trains; from the station the lake is about 13 km. Reconfirm current train services on IRCTC or NTES close to your travel dates, as timings change.
| From | Distance (approx.) | Mode and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alwar city / Alwar Junction | ~13 km | Taxi or auto on the Alwar–Sariska road; 20–30 min |
| Delhi | ~166 km by road (Holidify) | About 3–4 hours by car; train to Alwar then taxi |
| Jaipur | ~150–160 km by road | About 3 hours by car; train to Alwar then taxi |
| Sariska Tiger Reserve (Sariska gate) | ~25–30 km (reconfirm locally) | Continue on the Alwar–Sariska road |
Things to see and do
The main things to do at Siliserh Lake are a boat ride, birdwatching along the woodland edge, and a meal or terrace stop at the Lake Palace. According to the Incredible India entry, a boat ride is the signature experience, and the woodlands hold over 100 bird species, with cranes and kingfishers among them and Sambhar deer sometimes grazing on the hillsides.
Boating is run from the shore below the palace; motorboats are available for hire, which suits families and couples, according to the Neemrana Hotels write-up. Swimming in the lake is forbidden, and Atlas Obscura notes that local lore and posted signs warn of crocodiles, so stick to the boats and the shore. Early morning and late afternoon are best for both birds and light.
Because the lake sits on the Sariska fringe, many travellers pair it with a Sariska safari, using Siliserh as a calm start or finish to a wildlife day. The palace terrace is the natural spot to slow down between activities.
| Experience | What it is | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Boat ride | Motorboat hire from the shore below the palace | 30–60 min |
| Birdwatching | Woodland edge and lakeshore; cranes, kingfishers, winter migrants | 1–2 hours (early/late) |
| Lake Palace terrace | Meal, tea or a long view over the water | 1 hour |
| Photography walk | Embankment, cenotaphs and hill reflections | 30–45 min |
| Sariska side-trip | Tiger reserve safari from the nearby gate | Half day (separate booking) |
A simple day-trip plan
Siliserh Lake works best as a half-day or full-day trip from Alwar, combined with the city’s forts and palaces. A relaxed plan lets you catch the birds early and avoid the midday heat.
- Morning: Leave Alwar early and drive out to Siliserh (about 13 km). Walk the embankment, watch for birds along the woodland edge, and take a boat ride while the light is soft.
- Midday: Head up to the Siliserh Lake Palace for lunch or tea on the terrace, with the lake below.
- Afternoon: Drive back toward Alwar and visit Bala Quila (the hill fort) and the City Palace complex, or continue to Sariska if you have booked a safari.
- Evening: Return to Alwar for the night, or stay on at the Lake Palace if you want a quiet lakeside evening.
With two days you can add a full Sariska safari and the fort at Kesroli, keeping Siliserh as your slow morning on one of them.
Where to stay
The standout place to stay at the lake itself is the RTDC-run Siliserh Lake Palace, while Alwar city has a wider range of budget and mid-range hotels about 13 km away. Staying at the palace gives you the lake at dawn and dusk, when day visitors have gone; staying in Alwar gives you more choice and easier transport links.
Book the palace ahead in winter, the peak season, as room numbers are limited. The ₹ bands below are planning estimates to help you budget and should be reconfirmed on the official RTDC site or with the property, as rates move with season and demand.
| Type | Where | Indicative rate per night |
|---|---|---|
| Heritage / government | Siliserh Lake Palace (RTDC), at the lake | ₹2,500–₹5,000 (reconfirm with RTDC) |
| Mid-range | Alwar city hotels | ₹2,000–₹4,500 |
| Budget | Alwar guesthouses and lodges | ₹800–₹1,800 |
If you are planning a longer Rajasthan loop with heritage stays, the state’s better-known palace hotels lie further south-west; our Jodhpur travel guide covers that leg and the Mehrangarh-and-blue-city base around it.
Food to try
Food around Siliserh centres on the Lake Palace dining and the Rajasthani kitchens of Alwar, so plan most meals at the palace or back in the city. The lake has no street-food scene, so carry water and a snack if you are birdwatching early.
Look for regional staples in Alwar: dal baati churma (baked wheat dough balls with lentils and a sweet crumble), gatte ki sabzi (gram-flour dumplings in a yoghurt-based curry), and ker sangri (a dry dish of desert beans and berries). Alwar is also known for Alwar ka mawa (also called kalakand, a dense milk sweet), worth buying from a well-known city sweet shop. Vegetarian food is easy to find throughout.
Budget breakdown
A simple Siliserh day trip from Alwar can be done for roughly ₹1,500–₹3,000 per person, mostly on transport, boating and a meal. The figures below are planning estimates as of October 2026, assuming two people sharing a taxi from Alwar and a mid-range lunch; your actual costs depend on group size, season and whether you add a Sariska safari.
| Item | Indicative cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Return taxi, Alwar–Siliserh | ₹600–₹1,200 (shared) | Half-day hire; split between travellers |
| Boat ride | ₹100–₹400 | Per person/per boat; reconfirm at the shore |
| Lunch at the Lake Palace | ₹400–₹800 | Mid-range meal |
| Entry / parking (if any) | ₹0–₹100 | No official fee published; reconfirm on site |
| Approx. total | ₹1,100–₹2,500 | Add Sariska safari separately if planned |
Entry, boating and rules
No special permit is needed to visit Siliserh Lake itself; it is an open tourist spot in Alwar district, unlike the neighbouring Sariska Tiger Reserve, which requires a separate safari booking and park fees. Official pages such as Incredible India list visiting hours of about 8 am to 6 pm but do not publish an entry fee, so treat any ticket, boating or parking charge as something to confirm on site.
Swimming is forbidden in the lake, according to Atlas Obscura, which also notes posted warnings about crocodiles; stay in the boats and on the shore. As the lake is now a Ramsar wetland, treat the birds and shoreline with care, avoid plastic litter, and keep noise down near roosting areas. If you plan to fly a drone, check current DGCA rules and any local restriction near the lake and Sariska boundary before flying.
Practical tips and safety
Siliserh is a safe, low-key day trip, but it is a rural spot, so carry what you need and do not rely on services at the lake. Mobile network is generally available but can be patchy at the water’s edge; carry cash, as small vendors and boat operators may not take UPI, though Alwar city has ATMs and card facilities.
- Cash and connectivity: Keep some cash for boating and snacks; do not count on card or UPI at the lake.
- Health: The nearest hospitals are in Alwar city, about 13 km away; carry basic medicines and water.
- Safety near water: Do not swim; heed crocodile warning signs and stay with licensed boat operators.
- Solo and women travellers: The lake is a popular, visited spot by day; prefer daylight hours, travel back to Alwar before dark, and use a prepaid or app-based taxi.
- Packing by season: Winter needs a light jacket for early mornings; summer needs a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water; monsoon needs a rain cover and sturdy shoes for muddy paths.
Nearby places
Siliserh pairs naturally with Alwar’s forts and palaces and with Sariska, all within an easy drive. The table below sets out the main options and why each is worth adding to a Siliserh day or weekend.
| Place | Distance from Siliserh (approx.) | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Alwar city | ~13 km | District base; hotels, food, the City Palace and museum |
| Bala Quila (Alwar Fort) | ~15 km (via Alwar) | Hill fort above Alwar with long valley views |
| Sariska Tiger Reserve | ~25–30 km (reconfirm) | Tiger reserve in the Aravallis; safari by separate booking |
| City Palace / Vinay Vilas Mahal, Alwar | ~13 km (in Alwar) | Royal palace complex, museum and tank in the city centre |
| Kesroli (Hill Fort Kesroli) | ~30 km (reconfirm) | Restored hill fort now a heritage hotel, east of Alwar |
Frequently asked questions
Where is Siliserh Lake located?
Siliserh Lake is in Alwar district, Rajasthan, about 13 km (8 miles) south-west of Alwar city on the Alwar–Sariska road, on the eastern fringe of the Aravalli hills near Sariska Tiger Reserve. The nearest railway station is Alwar Junction, and the nearest major airports are Jaipur and Delhi.
Who built Siliserh Lake and when?
Siliserh Lake was built in 1845 by Maharaja Vinay Singh, the then ruler of Alwar, according to the Incredible India and Wikipedia entries. He dammed a tributary of the Ruparel river to create the artificial lake and supply water to Alwar city. He also built the hilltop Siliserh Lake Palace for his queen, Shila Devi.
Can you stay at the Siliserh Lake Palace?
Yes. The Siliserh Lake Palace, a former royal hunting lodge on a hill above the water, now operates as a heritage hotel under the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC). Rooms are limited, so book ahead in the winter season and reconfirm current tariffs and availability directly with RTDC or the property before travelling.
What is the best time to visit Siliserh Lake?
October to March is the best time to visit Siliserh Lake, with cool weather for boating and the best birdwatching. The Incredible India entry recommends the cooler October-to-February months, and winter brings migratory birds to the woodlands. The monsoon fills the lake and greens the hills but can disrupt boating and roads; summer is hot.
Is boating available at Siliserh Lake?
Yes, boating is the main activity at Siliserh Lake, with motorboats available for hire from the shore below the palace, according to tourism write-ups. Swimming is forbidden, and posted signs warn of crocodiles, so stay in the boats and on the shore. Confirm current boat timings and charges on site, as no official fee is published.
How far is Siliserh Lake from Sariska Tiger Reserve?
Siliserh Lake lies on the Alwar–Sariska road, roughly 25–30 km from the main Sariska Tiger Reserve gate; reconfirm the exact distance locally, as access points vary. Many visitors combine a calm morning at the lake with a Sariska safari, which needs a separate booking and park fees through the forest department.
Last updated and sources
Siliserh Lake suits anyone wanting a quiet half-day from Alwar: birdwatchers, families after an easy boat ride, and travellers using it as a gentle gateway to Sariska. Go between October and March, start early, and reconfirm boating, fees and hotel rates before you set out.
Last updated: 23 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Incredible India — Siliserh Lake; Wikipedia — Siliserh Lake (used to locate primary facts); Free Press Journal — Siliserh Lake declared Ramsar site; Atlas Obscura — Siliserh Lake; Neemrana Hotels — Siliserh Lake; Holidify — how to reach Alwar. Accessed September 2026.
