Ranthambhore
Distance from
Jaipur 157
Overview
Ranthambore National Park is in Sawai Madhopur District of Rajasthan state.Located at the junction of the Aravalli and Vindhya hill range, this is one of the finest places to view animals, especially as they are used to being stared at here.The park covers an area of Approximately 400 sq Km and if combined it with the area of sawai man singh sanctuary area,it is around 500 Sq km.
Ranthambore national park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957 and in 1974 it gained the protection of "Project Tiger". It got it's status of a National Park in 1981.
Ranthambore National Park is dotted with structures that remind you of bygone eras.There are many water bodies located all over the park, which provide perfect relief during the extremely hot summer months for the forest inhabitants. A huge fort, after which the park is named, towers over the park atop a hill. There are many ruins of bygone eras scattered all over the jungle, which give it a unique, wonderful and mixed flavour of nature, history and wildlife.Tigers at Ranthambore National park have been known to even hunt in full view of human visitors. These tigers are famous for being seen in the daytime too, due to their lack of fear of human presence in vehicles. This lack of fear of humans is excellent for tourists, as they get to see the tigers often.
This National park is a wildlife enthusiast and photographer's dream. It offers excellent accommodation and internal transportation facilities. The park remains open every year from October to May.Famous for the exciting and frequent tiger sightings captured dramatically in several books, this park is today affected by ecological pressures and poaching.
In Nutshell, Ranthambore National park is a wildlife enthusiast and photographer's dream. It offers excellent accommodation and internal transportation facilities and remains open every year from October to Mid June.
Attraction
Park: One of the finest tiger reserves in the country it is the main attraction of Ranthambore. It is spread over an area of 392 sq. km and full of dry deciduous forests sprawed over the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges. Occasionally one may chance upon a tiger strolling near the Padam Talab, Raj Bagh Talab and Milak Talab. The park also houses some rare species of desert creatures like the sambhar, chital, chinkara, nilgai, langur, wild boar and peafowl. The park was visited by the Bill Clinton during his visit to India.
Ranthambore Fort: Ranthambore Fort in Ranthambore National Park is a historic monument. Unlike most other monuments in India there is no entry fee and you won't be bothered by touts or guides near the fort. Constructed by the Chauhans, its actual builder is uncertain. The Ranthambore Fort is mentioned in a ballad called the Hamirraso which details the life of Raja Hamir Deva who was crowned King in 1283 A.D. The Fort changed hands from the Rajputs to the Mughals several times over the next centuries. The Maharaja of Jaipur finally gained control over the fort in the 17th century and it was controlled by the ruling family of Jaipur till India gained independence and all the princely states were merged into the new nation of India.
The Ranthambore Fort is located on a high plateau of over 700 feet, in the center of Ranthambore National Park. You can see panoramic views of the park from its high walls. Its steep fortified walls run for 7 Km and encircle a group of buildings that include palatial rooms, temples, mosques and barracks. The Padam Talao is visible from the living quarters of the Ranthambore Fort. The Guptaganga, a perennial spring provides the fort with a source of clean water. You can spend an entire day exploring the fascinating Ranthambore Fort.
Jogi Mahal: This is the forest rest house overlooking the pretty Padam Talab. What attracts a large number of tourists every year to the Jogi Mahal is the ancient banyan tree, the second largest banyan tree in India.
Natural Wealth: Ranthambore is characterized by the typical desert landscape of Rajasthan. The park is the natural haunt of a significant number of panthers. Due to the sizeable population of tigers in the Ranthambore national park, this site has been taken under Project Tiger. The flora consists of dry deciduous shrubs and not very high trees. The topography varies from secure forests to open scrubland. Dhok is the most common tree to be found. The aquatic flora of this place includes lovely lotuses and water lilies. The fauna includes mammalian species like antelopes, nilgai, sambhar, chital, sloth bear, wild boar, chinkara, porcupines, jackals, leopards, jungle cats, fox, caracals, hyena, gazelle, Indian hare and mongoose. There are also about 264 species of birds to be found here.
Raj Bagh Ruins: The Raj Bagh Ruins are situated between the Raj Bagh Talao and the Padam Talao. The ruins of a palace these structures consist of broken down rooms and outhouses, with arches, partly standing walls and domes. The majestic tigers of Ranthambore can be seen relaxing in the shade of these structures in Ranthambore National Park. Other interesting places to see in Ranthambore National Park are the Kachida Valley known for its leopard population, Lakarda and Anantpura known for being home to sloth bears and the Bakaula region where tigresses can be seen with their cubs emerging from the dense foliage.
Padam Talao: The Padam Talao is a large lake in Ranthambore National Park. It gets its name from the lotus flowers that bloom in the lake. The Padam Talao is a favorite watering hole of the animals of Ranthambore. Tigers, leopards, deer, monkeys and peacocks can be seen drinking at the lakes edge. Machans or huts on observation posts near the Padam Talo are an excellent platform from where you can see the animals in Ranthambore National Park. The hunting lodge called Jogi Mahal is situated on the banks of the Padam Talao.
Rajbagh Talao: The second of the three lakes in Ranthambore in size, the Rajbagh Talao has ruins that extend to the edge of the lake. The lake is often ringed with animals drinking from its banks. The water plants in the lake provide the swamp deer or Sambhar with vegetation to graze on. Cattle egrets often accompany the Sambhar feed on insects and frogs displaced by the Sambhars movement through the water. Tigers can often be seen near the Rajbagh Talao.
Malik Talao: The Malik Talao is the littlest in surface area of the three lakes in Ranthambore National Park. It is best known for its many species of birds seen on its banks and within the lake. Kingfishers, egrets, herons, ibis, storks and cranes can be seen around the Malik Talao. Watch out for the crocodiles in the Malik Talao.
How to reach
By Air: The nearest airport to Ranthambore is Jaipur, the capital of the state of Rajasthan. Jaipur is located at a distance of 140 Km from Ranthambore. You can arrive in Jaipur by flights from any major city in India, such as Delhi or Mumbai and then travel to Sawai Madhopur by train or road transport.
By Road: You can easily travel to Ranthambore by road from anywhere in Rajasthan. Both the Rajasthan Tourism Department and many private operators run road transport services to Ranthambore. You can choose from local buses, luxury coaches or private taxis to travel by road to Ranthambore National Park.
By Train: The main railway line from Delhi to Mumbai runs past Sawai Madhopur, which is connected by regular trains from cities across Rajasthan and India. You can travel to Sawai Madhopur by train and then cover the remaining 11 Km to Ranthambore by taxi.
