The Satimata Dham
On the edge of Sariska National Park, 14 kilometres from Amanbagh is Satimata Dham (also known as Sarsamata), a collection of temples whose name is derived from the Sanskrit word, Dham, meaning “Meditation Palace for Sages and the Holy.” As the most sacred pilgrimage site for the people from Alwar, its sanctity is matched only by Pushkar and Mount Abu. According to legend, Satimata Dham is the site of the first Sati (immolation by fire) in northern India, long before this ritual was associated with India’s Maharajas. The legend states that following the death of her husband, the lady of the house, Sarsa, stricken by grief, knelt in prayer beside his unlit funeral pyre. Such was her devotion to Lord Shiva and so fervent her wish to join her dead husband, that Lord Shiva sent his holy fire to consume them both. Marking the site is a holy spring - an unusual source of water in a semi-desert land - and acts as a draw to colourfully dressed pilgrims offering their puja to Satimata’s main Shiva temple.
Mansarover Lake
Mansarover or ‘made by Shiva’ lake is a birdwatcher’s paradise from October to February. Like its namesake in the Himalayas, it professes to bestow beauty and youth on anyone who bathes therein.
Sariska Nature and Game Sanctuary: Once the personal hunting ground of the Maharaja of Alwar, this 765 square kilometre sanctuary is home to a range of wild animals, including tigers, panthers, wild cats, caracals, wild boars, jackals and monkeys. Sariska is a 35-minute drive away from Amanbagh.
Geography
Amanbagh sits at the head of a gorge which opens into a large valley. Flooded during the monsoon season, it becomes a lake which gradually recedes throughout the year until the monsoon rains return. Surrounding the valley and providing a catchment for the rain are rocky hills and knolls that support sporadic and hardy vegetation. The desolate hills make for an interesting visual contrast to the plains below.
Climate at Amanbagh The finest weather in northern India occurs from October until the end of April. During autumn, days are mild and although it can get quite cold at night during the height of the winter months, (December and January), days are crisp and sunny. During this time, the temperature typically ranges from a high of 30°C (86°F) to an overnight low of approximately 2°C (35°F). Spring is similar to autumn with warm temperatures, and the summer months of May through September see the onset of the monsoon, when sun bursts follow heavy rains and temperatures hover around 35°C (90°F) throughout the day and night.
Language:
There are many distinct languages and dialects in India however, in the northern region, Hindi and English are widely spoken. Road signs and directions are written in both. Currency
The national currency is the rupee. It is divided into 100 paisas. Traveller’s cheques are easy to cash and some banks in larger cities have ATM machines.
Immigration Requirements
Visas are required. There are three tourist visas available: a 15-day single/double entry transit visa, a 90-day visa, or an extended six-month multiple re-entry visa. Enquiries should be directed to the nearest Indian embassy or consulate.
Travel Tips
Electricity is 230 volts/ 50 cycles. India is plus five-and-a-half hours Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). During the winter months of December and January, warm clothes will be required, particularly in the morning and evening. Winter temperatures can range from a high of 30°C (86°F) to an overnight low of 10°C (50°F). During autumn and spring, guests should pack light woollens for early morning and evenings with lighter clothing for the rest of the day. During the hot summer months it is recommended that guests wear light, yet conservative attire. Guests should, at all times, travel with comfortable walking shoes and a wide-brimmed hat.
