Ranthambore National Park

Park:

The park, which is one of the finest tiger reserves in the country, is the main attraction of Ranthambore. Spread over an area of 392 sq. km, Ranthambore is characterised by dry deciduous forests sprawling over the Aravalli and Vindhyan ranges. If you are fortunate enough you can also see the tiger strolling in the jungle or near any of the three lakes-Padam Talab, Raj Bagh Talab and Milak Talab. The park also has panthers in sizable numbers, though they have been spotted generally at the outskirts of the park perhaps due to the inevitable conflict with the tiger population, which command the 'superior' position amidst the predatory cats. For spotting panthers, Kachida Valley is regarded as the ideal place.

Other mammalian species that have made Ranthambore their home are antelopes, nilgai, sambhar, chital, sloth bear, wild boar, chinkara, porcupines, jackals, leopards, jungle cats, fox, caracals, hyena, gazelle, Indian hare, mongoose and jacanas. Besides animals, about 264 species of birds are found within the park including painted storks, white-necked storks, black storks, peafowl, crested serpent eagles, Bonelli's eagle, Indian horned owl, quail, partridge, spur fowl, paradise flycatcher and jacanas. During winters migratory birds like graylag goose, ruddy sheiduck and pintails may also be spotted. Monitor lizards and marsh crocodiles are also found here. The park was one of the places visited by the former U.S. President Bill Clinton during his visit to India.

Ranthambore Fort:

A visit to Ranthambore means a visit to the noteworthy Ranthambore fort too. The fort was built by the Chauhan rulers in the 10th century and is regarded as one of the oldest forts of Rajasthan. Due to its strategic location, the fort was ideal to keep the enemy at bay. The fort is also related to the historical legend of the royal women performing jauhar(self immolation) when the Muslim invader Ala-ud-din Khilji laid siege on this fort in 1303. The fort is characterised by temples, tanks, massive gates and huge walls.

Jogi Mahal :

The Jogi Mahal makes a must visit place in Ranthambore. It is the forest rest house that overlooks the pretty Padam Talab. The Mahal lies close to the park and has all the facilities for a comfortable stay. The most important aspect of Jogi Mahal that attracts a large number of tourists every year is the ancient banyan tree which is believed to be the second largest banyan tree in India.

Flora and Fauna :

Ranthambore is characterised by the typical desert land of Rajasthan. The park here is the natural habitat of a sizeable number of panthers. Due to the considerable population of the tigers in the Ranthambore national park, the site has been taken under project tiger. The flora of the place is characterised by dry deciduous shrubs and not so high trees. However the topography varies in some places from secure forests to open scrublands. Dhok is the most prominent tree that you can find here. The aquatic flora in Ranthambore includes lovely lotus flowers and water lilies. In fauna, Ranthambore makes the natural habitat of some of the mammalian species like the antelopes, nilgai, sambhar, chital, sloth bear, wild boar, chinkara, porcupines, jackals, leopards, jungle cats, fox, caracals, hyena, gazelle, Indian hare, and mongoose. You can also find about 264 species of birds here.

Weekend Trips/Excursions :

To have a good idea of the place and its past, an excursion to the nearby places of historical importance is a must. Apart from the historical witnesses of time, these places have much more to offer to make your visit a complete one. Sawai Madhopur village, which is the entry point to many of the nearby important destination is one of its kind. The village is known for its many historical monuments and related legends that you can find in these small and big structures. Karauli is another place famous for its temples and architectural marvels. Bundi (66 km) is famous for its monuments and especially its fort, which preserves the glorious legacy of its erstwhile Rajput rulers. Kota (100 km) has number of important sites like the City Fort and Palace, Kota Barrage, the Kishore Sagar Tank, the Jagmandir Palace, the Brij Vilas Palace Museum, etc. Tonk (100 km) is an old town dating to the middle of the 17th century.

Sawai Madhopur Village :

Located just 12 kilometres away from Ranthambore, Sawai Madhopur is one of the major excursion destination here. However if you are visiting Ranthambore by the Delhi-Mumbai railway route, the village of Sawai Madhopur falls in the middle of the road making it the gateway to the Park. Sawai Madhopur has always been the centre of attraction of the Rajput rulers. The town has many historic legends attached to it.

Karauli :

Founded in 1348 AD, Karauli is a city characterised by red sandstone walls, bastions, peripheral wall, six gates, eleven posterns and the famous annual fair at the Kaila Devi temple. Located at a distance of 160 kilometres from Jaipur, Karauli is a must visit excursion destination. Blended with history of the Rajputs, Karauli was known as Kalyanpuri after the local deity Kalyanji. According to a local legend, the ruling family of Karauli, known as Yadhuvanshi Rajputs, are the descendants of Lord Krishna. Besides other historic monuments, the temple of Madan Mohanji is an interesting place to visit in Karauli.

Bundi :

Bundi is situated at a distance of 66 kilometres south of Ranthambore. Famous for its monuments and especially its fort, which preserves the glorious legacy of its erstwhile Rajput rulers, Bundi makes a must visit excursion point from Ranthambore. Bundi has a lot of interesting places to see. These include the Taragarh fort (built in 1354), the Bhim Burj (the largest battlement) and a huge water reservoir carved out of solid rock. One can also see the entire town as well as the view of the sunset from the fort.

Bundi palace, which is situated on a hill just near the Taragarh fort is famous for its traditional murals. Moreover, in Bundi, you can visit Raniji-ki-Baoli (Queen's step well), Nagar Sagar Kund, Nawal Sagar (the artificial lake near the palace with the shrine at the centre), the Dhabhai Kund and the Bhora-ji-ka-Kund. You can also visit the Sabzi Mandi (vegetable market) of the old town, the 84-pillared cenotaph at the southern end of the town and the Phool Sagar Palace, a modern palace built in the 20th century.

Kota :

Located at a distance of 100 kilometres from Ranthambore, Kota is another important place to visit during your excursion from Ranthambore. Kota used to be an important part of the erstwhile Rajput kingdom of Bundi. It became a separate princely state during the 17th century. The glory of those times could be seen in the several monuments, palaces and gardens that exist here. Located on the eastern bank of Chambal River, Kota has number of sites to visit and see. The city fort and palace, Kota Barrage, the Kishore Sagar tank (which was built in 1346), the Jagmandir palace (built on a small island at the centre of a tank in 1740), the Brij Vilas Palace Museum, the Chambal gardens and Chhattar Bilas gardens with its number of royal cenotaphs are some of the places you can visit in Kota.

Tonk :

Located at a distance of 100 kilometres from Ranthambore, Tonk is an old town dating to the middle of the 17th century. Resurrecting a forgotten era, Tonk makes a must visit itinerary in your excursion from Ranthambore. As the small town used to be the stronghold of the Pathan tribesmen of Afghanistan, Tonk is characterised by the Sunehri Kothi with its intricate mirror work and colourful medley of painted mosques, mansions and colonial buildings.

Events and Festivals :

Ganesh Chaturthi :

The Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is home to one of the most famous Ganesh temples in the state of Rajasthan. It is a common belief here that all the marriage invitations should be first sent to Lord Ganesh at his temple here. This makes the spot a unique pilgrimage site and invitations pour from all over the country throughout the year, especially during the Ganesh Chaturthi Festival in the months of September/October. During the festival, devotees participate in the singing of devotional songs.

Kaila Devi Fair :

The Kaila Devi Fair is celebrated in the Kaila Devi or Mahalaxmi temple in the village Kaila, situated in the range of Ranthambore National Park. Situated on the river Kailisil, the temple hosts the festival for around 15 days in the Hindu month of Chaitra (April). Approximately 2,00,000 devotees participate in this festival every year.