 The Aravalli Ranges from one side and Vindhyachal Ranges from the other surround Sawai Madhopur, which lies between Kota and Bikaner. Sawai Madhopur is at a distance of 180 km towards the northwest of Jaipur. The town of Sawai Madhopur is named after its founder Sawai Madho Singh-I of Jaipur who built this town in 1765 AD. Sawai Madhopur is at a distance of 12 km from the Ranthambore National Park and is a major tourist attraction for those visiting the national park.
Sawai Madhopur has a rich history preceding the construction of the town. The grandson of Prithviraj Chauhan, Govinda occupied this land during the 13th century AD. Later his successor, adorned the city with buildings and gardens. He also made an impressive temple at Jhain. Rana Kumbha took over the fort in the middle of the 15th century AD and presented it to his son. The Hada Rajputs of Bundi and Mughal Emperors Akbar and Aurangzeb later captured it. The Mughal Emperor Shah Alam gave this land as a gift to Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh 1 of Jaipur in 1754 AD. Since then it was developed as the hunting reserve of the Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh.
Ranthambore Fort is a grandiose fort built during the medieval period at Ranthambore. You may find many ruined pavilions, walls and chhatris within the fort. The most attractive feature within the fort is the Ganesha Temple built in the 8th century AD. Thousands of devotees visit this temple. An annual fair is also held here.
The Ranthambore School of Art is near the town of Sawai Madhopur and offers paintings by the painters from the local villages. The main subject of the paintings of this school is the tiger of Ranthambore. The wild cats are represented in their true glory in the paintings of the Ranthambore School of Art. The themes of the painting includes tigers waiting in the bush for their prey, tigers approaching from the dense forests, tigers fondling their cubs and tigers resting on the historical ruins found in the park. The painters are able to successfully portray different expressions and moods of the tigers of Ranthambore in their paintings. The painters also play a very vital role in spreading awareness among the villagers about the need to preserve the tigers of Ranthambore by interacting and informing them.
Sawai Madhopur is famous for many shops of arts and crafts from where you can purchase paintings and other craft items. Here you will also find T-shirts, postcards, posters and greeting cards with pictures of tigers and other wild animals and birds of Ranthambore. Local fabrics, traditionally embroidered and mirrored clothes, Rajasthani turbans, puppets and other handicraft items are also on sale and make an ideal choice as souvenirs and memorabilia to take back home.
At a little distance from Sawai Madhopur are the towns of Tonk, Karauli and Mahaveerji. These towns are famous as tourist attractions for their monuments and markets and must also be visited.
How to Reach
By Air: The airport nearest to Sawai Madhopur is at Jaipur, which is 175 km away.
By Rail: The railway station at Sawai Madhopur connects the town with Delhi, Mumbai and other major cities in Western India.
By Road: Sawai Madhopur is easily accessible by road from neighboring cities like Agra, Bharatpur, Delhi, Kota and Jaipur.
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