Wednesday 5 March 2014

Water Tank at City Palace, Alwar

The water tank is located next to the City Palace and the Cenotaph of Bakhtawar Singh, also popularly known as Moosi Rani ki Chattri in the city of Alwar in Rajasthan.

Water Tank, City Palace, Alwar

I believe the tank used to serve the needs of the palace though most of the water needs were met by the Siliserh Lake from where the water was brought to the city in channels to meet the requirements of the city. Also the tank was meant, probably, to provide cooling effect to rooms in the Vinay Vilas palace as I saw rooms facing the water tank had jaalis (grills) for passage of cool air. The palace in the city was the living quarters of the king during the peace times but in times of war they used to move to the Bala Quila (fort) which is high up on the nearby hill overlooking the city and the palace.

Water Tank, City Palace, Alwar

What is interesting is the fact that the scenery is pleasing to the eyes and more so the pictures that come out what with the green tinge of the water and the reflections of the surrounding hills and the chattris (cenotaphs). The green tinge is of course due to the fact that the water is stagnant leading to the growth of green algae and there is no cleaning of the tank. I even saw some poly-bags lying in the water tank.

Water Tank with Moosi Rani ki Chattri and the City Palace

There are two floating boats meant to act as fountains with lights but I found them non-functional during my visit.

Also read:
Bala Quila – Alwar’s Way of How Not to Promote Tourism
Cenotaph of Bakhtawar Singh of Alwar
Siliserh Lake near Alwar, Rajasthan

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