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Category: Rajasthan Travel > Parks
& Sanctuaries >
Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary
Over a-Aru Biosphere Reserve located 76 km from Srinagar, near Pahalgam,
it has an area of 32 sq km. Several species of birds as well as fauna
are found here -- musk deer, brown bear, leopard to name a few. The altitudinal
range varies from 3,000 to 5,425 meters above sea level. Prime viewing
time for the upper areas is from May to August In the lower areas, for
bird viewing the best time is March to May and for animal viewing from
September to March. Accommodation in two bedroom huts is available. For
passes contact the Regional wildlife Warden, Srinagar.
The Sariska Tiger Reserve is just 40 kms. from Alwar and about 107 Kms.
from Jaipur and 200 Kms. form Delhi. The sanctuary can be visited all year-round
except during July-August when animals move to higher ground. The senctuary
is in a wooded valley surrounded by barren mountains. 'Dhok' (Anogeissus
pendula) is the dominant tree species of the lower hill slopes, forming
almost the pure crop. On higher and steeper slopes it is replaced by strands
of 'Salar' (Boswellia serrata) trees and in the valleys by
'Ber' (Zizyphus species), 'Dhak' (Butea monosperma),
'Ronj' (Acacia leucophloea )and khair (Acacia catechu).
Sariska has a very good population of sambhar, chital, nilgai, four-horned
antelope, wild boar and common langur. The caracal and jungle cat, Porcupines,
purely nocturnal rodents, are conspicuous after sunset. Water holes have
been created at number of spots in the sanctuary. These water holes are
now acting as the nerver centers of the sanctuary. Common birds at Sariska
are partridges (Grey and black), peacock, red spurfowl,
pigeons (blue, rock and green),qualis, Sand grous, parakeets
baya, kits, eagle and vultures.
You see mainly deer during the two-hour tour, most of them fleeing in panicat
the approach, at tremendous speed, of a lurching minibus full of screaming tourists
with a man halfway out of the cab waving a spotlight and shouting excitedly. A
better way to see the game is to hook a 'hide' overlooking one of the waterholes
for Rs 10 (Rs 20 for foreigners). Take along food, drink and a sleeping bag(mattersses
are provided). Entry to the park costs Rs 2 (Rs 10 for foreigners)
Number of spots of historical importance are scattered all over the reserve.
Pandu Pol temple narrates the stroy of the Mahabharat period when the mighty
Bhim was taught a lesson on humility. The ruins of Ghar Rajor date back
of 9th and 10th century. A.D. Here an area of approximately three square
kilometers is literally covered with invaluable pieces of rare sculptures
and architecture. Historians believe that some of the art pieces were carved
as early as in the 4th or 5th enctruy A.D. A stone incription of 10th centruy
mentions about the destruction caused to the structures by an earthquake.
Only three monuments that survived the earthquake present some glimpses
of the past glory of the area. These are Neelkanth temple of Lord Shiva,
a 16 feet high. Single stone statue of a Jain Tirthankar and a temple of
Thankuriji. The ruins of Kankwari Fort reminds the visitor of the events
of the 17th centruy. Bharathari is a sacred Place for thousands of Hindus
living in the adjoining areas.The place is named after Raja Bharathari of
Ujjain who meditated here for a number of years before finally taking 'Samadhi'
on 8th of 'Shukla-Paksha in the Bhadon month of the Hindu calendar. Devotees,
in hundreds of thousands from far and near,gather here on this day every
year to commemorate the event. The area is well forested and is served by
a perennial stream of water. It has a good population of Hanuman langurs.
Tal Vrakhsha,located about 20 kms. fromt he Sariska comples, is another
interesting place. It is believed that a Rishi (saint) Mandava lived and
meditated here and he acquired divine knowledge at this spot. He worshipped
lord Shiva and for salvation of the people living in the region, brought
the sacred river Ganga', in the form of two streams of hot and cold water
to this area. Temples of Ganga Mata and Lord Shiva still attract devotees
to the area. Tal Vrakhsha now has a small grove of Arjun trees with a large
population of rhesus monkeys. Both these places are worth visiting.
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