Ranthambore
Set between the Aravali and the Vindhya ranges, and bound by the river Banas in the north and the Chambal in the south, Ranthambore National Park is located in the Sawai Madhopur district in the Indian state of Rajasthan. One of the finest tiger reserves in India, it became part of the Project Tiger in 1973.
The park covers an area of nearly 400 sq.km, of thick jungles, rocky terrain, deep chasms, streams and lakes, making it a home for a wide variety of flora and fauna.
Once the hunting ground of the Maharajas of Jaipur, the park now houses animals like leopards, sloth bears, jackal, panthers, nilgais, the tiger and a large number of birds. Here a visitor can see animals at close quarters as they are used to human presence and move about quite fearlessly.
The Ranthambore Fort from which the Park gets its name is located within the park atop a hill. The fort gets its name from two hills – Thanbhor and Ran. The fort, dating back to the 10th century is perhaps the oldest fort in Rajasthan. It is a huge structure with the circumference of its walls nearly 7 kms. It has been the site of many bloody wars fought for its possession and it is said that in 1381 ten thousand women committed Johar or mass suicide to escape falling into the hands of the victorious enemies. From the fort one can get a spectacular view of the park and if, lucky, can catch glimpses of the royal Bengal tigers or leopards. Many ruins of a bygone era are scattered all over the park giving it a unique atmosphere. There are three Hindu temples within the fortress dedicated to Ganesh, Shiva and Ramlalji. Every year thousands of people visit the Ganesha temple during the Ganesh Chaturthi to offer prayers to Lord Ganesha.
Jogi Mahal, a former hunting lodge now turned into a hotel is situated on the edge of the Padam Lake There are many water bodies inside the park, the most prominent of them being the Padam Lake, the Rajabagh Talao and the Malik Talao. The largest lake in the park, the Padam Lake is breathtakingly beautiful because of the water lilies that grow in profusion. Rajabagh Lake has many ruins of buildings on the sides. Malik talao, the smallest of the three lakes always seems to have a large number of birds. One can get to see the Indian marsh crocodiles here. All the three lakes are frequented by animals and birds that come to feed there and the best time for watching and photographing them is in the early hours of the morning and at dusk.
Lakarda and Anantpura, located in the northern side of the Park , is ideal for looking for sloth bears who come looking for the ant hills which are found here. Kachida. Valley lying on the outskirts of the Park contains panthers which keep away from the main jungle to avoid conflicts with the tigers. Large numbers of bears are also found here.
The National Park has facilities for travel by jeep along trails fixed by the Forest department. It is said this park is one of the best in the country for photographing wild animals and birds in their natural surroundings.
The park covers an area of nearly 400 sq.km, of thick jungles, rocky terrain, deep chasms, streams and lakes, making it a home for a wide variety of flora and fauna.
Once the hunting ground of the Maharajas of Jaipur, the park now houses animals like leopards, sloth bears, jackal, panthers, nilgais, the tiger and a large number of birds. Here a visitor can see animals at close quarters as they are used to human presence and move about quite fearlessly.
The Ranthambore Fort from which the Park gets its name is located within the park atop a hill. The fort gets its name from two hills – Thanbhor and Ran. The fort, dating back to the 10th century is perhaps the oldest fort in Rajasthan. It is a huge structure with the circumference of its walls nearly 7 kms. It has been the site of many bloody wars fought for its possession and it is said that in 1381 ten thousand women committed Johar or mass suicide to escape falling into the hands of the victorious enemies. From the fort one can get a spectacular view of the park and if, lucky, can catch glimpses of the royal Bengal tigers or leopards. Many ruins of a bygone era are scattered all over the park giving it a unique atmosphere. There are three Hindu temples within the fortress dedicated to Ganesh, Shiva and Ramlalji. Every year thousands of people visit the Ganesha temple during the Ganesh Chaturthi to offer prayers to Lord Ganesha.
Jogi Mahal, a former hunting lodge now turned into a hotel is situated on the edge of the Padam Lake There are many water bodies inside the park, the most prominent of them being the Padam Lake, the Rajabagh Talao and the Malik Talao. The largest lake in the park, the Padam Lake is breathtakingly beautiful because of the water lilies that grow in profusion. Rajabagh Lake has many ruins of buildings on the sides. Malik talao, the smallest of the three lakes always seems to have a large number of birds. One can get to see the Indian marsh crocodiles here. All the three lakes are frequented by animals and birds that come to feed there and the best time for watching and photographing them is in the early hours of the morning and at dusk.
Lakarda and Anantpura, located in the northern side of the Park , is ideal for looking for sloth bears who come looking for the ant hills which are found here. Kachida. Valley lying on the outskirts of the Park contains panthers which keep away from the main jungle to avoid conflicts with the tigers. Large numbers of bears are also found here.
The National Park has facilities for travel by jeep along trails fixed by the Forest department. It is said this park is one of the best in the country for photographing wild animals and birds in their natural surroundings.
