RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK

District : Sawai Madhopur Region in Dhundhar
Location : At the junction of Aravallis and Vindhyas, SE of Rajasthan
Famous As : Tiger Reserve
What To Look For : Indian Gazelle, Black Buck, Elephants

Ranthambhore - The Only Place Where The King Stays Calm

Tyger, Tyger, burning bright
In the forest of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

- William Blake (1757-1827)

It is hard to imagine. A massive tiger, his muscles rippling, his teeth all bared, his eyes with a brilliant bluish- grey tint, his body kept really low and his roar sounding like a million thunderbolts going off at the same time would come and greet you. Reputed to be among of India's first rated, people have been known to complain that the tigers at Ranthambhore National Park are almost tame! On the flip side, sightings are high. These tigers of Ranthambhore are so accustomed to human presence that they are known to even hunt in broad daylight in full view of gaping tourists. A significant geological feature within the terrain is the 'Great Boundary Fault' where the Vindhaya plateau meets the Aravali range. The Rivers Chambal in the South and Banas in the North hug the National Park. Take a tour of the Ranthambore national park which is dotted with steep rocky hills and the dominating architecture of Ranthambhor Fort (built in the 10th century), adds to its landscape. The rugged park scape alternates between dry deciduous forest, open grassy meadow, dotted by several lakes and rivers that are only made passable by rough roads built and maintained by the Forest Service.

Once at Sawai Madhopur, the Gateway to famous Ranthambhore wildlife sanctuary, is an important railhead to reach the famous national park. Situated at a distance of 145 km from Jaipur, this place can be easily accessed from both Agra and Delhi. The short drive from the station to the park is exciting, apart from the busy market place at the start of the journey. Remember to adorn your hands with traditional Rajasthani bangles made of glass and lac and knick knacks that can be good souvenirs for your near and dear ones.

The Royal Den

As Ranthambore park is a major tiger reserve now, it becomes an inevitable fact that prior to Independence, the park was the hunting grounds of Jaipur's maharajahs, who mounted elaborate big game shoots or shikars here. The game was a king's favorite and the token was a crowd pleaser. A leisure walk through the deciduous forest augments one's level of adrenaline to acme, when one comes to know that wind is the only harbinger for a tiger phenomenon. The reserve is peppered with hardy dhok trees whose leaves are used for animal fodder. In April, when the brilliant flowers of the forest blooms, it creates a eye-catching fiesta of fiery red across the park precincts. The reserve with its large domain of flora and fauna, fabricates a jungle book every time it is haunted by a traveler. The vicious animals, though they hunt for their hors d'oeuvre, candidly maintain a universal cult of brotherhood amidst the green bushes; birds chirp, monkeys jump and deers dart across the creepers, clearly bespeaking the propinquity of the jungle king. The scenic landscape of Ranthambhore is also an athletic arena for chital (spotted deer) and the sambar, India's largest deer. The main food source for the tiger is the swamp deer and chinkara (Indian gazelle); on occasion the wild buffalo and also wild boar etc. Enjoy a stay near the Ranthambore National park, the facilities on offer are superb. The park gates open a half hour before sunrise and close half hour after sunset. The timings are vigorously imposed and no exceptions are made to this rule

Safari in Ranthambhore

Safaris - An Endeavor For a Rendezvous With the Jungle

Rides in to the park are precisely regulated at Ranthambhore and private vehicles are not allowed. You need to make a reservation with the Forest Department. There's a reasonable chance of spotting a tiger, but you should plan on two or three safaris. Even if you don't see a tiger, it's worth being there for the scenery alone; in India its not often you get the chance to visit such a large area of virgin bush. While on Rantambore wildlife tourism daily 3 hr trips, every morning and afternoon, begin from the Forest Department along four different trails. A good network of four gravel path intersects the arena of the park and on each safari 2-3 jeeps take a trail. There are also large open-topped trucks (canters) which seat 20 people.

Famous Ranthambore Wildlife sanctuary in India provides opportunities of photography is must in these green patches. Get some 400 or 800 ASA films, as the undergrowth is dense and indispensably dark in places. The prime time for catching those optical memories is March and April, and jeeps are better suited to photography than the canters. If you are taking a morning safari, it's better to pack something warm to wear. According to several guides, bright color clothing should be avoided as it apparently irritates the tiger. Be well prepared while on a jungle safari. Carry a mosquito repellent and a bottle of water, particularly in October and November.

Stay Princely Amidst The Green Peace

Travel to this famous national park and see the forest through the eyes of a starry night. Let the darkness droop over the flaming 'uruli' in which a cheery log fire burns, let the moths compete to immolate themselves, while you sit in an armchair and rejoice the solitary ambiance shawled around you. Set amidst the rugged Aravallis outside Ranthambhor National Park, Aman-i-Khas is a perfect place to explore the world around that excites, petrifies and caresses, a place that provides priceless luxuries amid the soothing embrace of the wild. The humongous waterproof tents afford sleeping, bathing and dressing sections, which lead off from the center by cotton drapes. Central heating (and cooling in summers) takes care of the atmosphere. Enjoy a stay in this major tiger reserve in India, in the tents house minimal furniture - an oversized bed, dining table with chairs and an armchair - so that one can experience raw camping without compromising on comfort.

Ranthambhore Fort

Ranthambhore Fort - The Jungle Palace

The Ranthambhore National Park certainly is one of the most picturesque forest reserves in the world - the entire terrain being dominated by the silent, ruined bastions of the Ranthambhore Fort, which is inside the sanctuary. Long before these jungles were downgraded to a ' sanctuary', before the tiger became a refugee in its own home, at a time when man was a side-dish in Ranthambhore, king Sapaldaksha built a fort deep inside this forest. The first tremors of a truly wild species had begun in the heart of these formidable jungles.

Inside the famous Ranthambore wildlife sanctuary in India, there is a fort that was built, according to ancient architectural norms, to be the perfect vanadurga (forest fort); designed to utilize all the elements of the wild to its advantage. It was situated on a convenient plateau surrounded by intractable forests, cliffs and gorges. The wild animals were also employed, without being told, as another ring of protection. But what man usurped so many centuries ago has now been reclaimed. Ever climbing trees grow persistently over the deserted pavilions and temple spires, and today the fort best serves as a picturesque seasoning for those who come looking for a dinner party anecdotes about close encounters with the tiger. The fort's outer walls has a circumference of 7 km. You will need to drive up to the fort and, once you are up there, the views from the ramparts are simply amazing.

A very interesting thing about the Ranthambhor Fort; atop the rocky cliff, there is a post office and a temple of the Hindu god, Ganesha. Invitation card of every Hindu wedding is first sent to this temple and the post office is there because of the overload.

When To Go

Travel to this tiger reserve in Rajasthan, whic opens during the first week of October and closes end June. November to February is recommended for those who cannot deal with the heat. For tiger lovers, the 'hot' months are October, March and April, when the watering holes have been replenished by the monsoon, birds come visiting and tigers are more easily sighted close to water bodies. While moving, bear in mind that early morning and late afternoon are the best times to view wildlife.

See You Again At Ranthambhore

If you fly into Jaipur, you can hire a car and drive a couple of hours (145 km) to Ranthambhore. The drive from Jaipur vis Tonk and Sawai Madhopur to Ranthambhore is 10 km longer than an alternative route via Kanota, Dausa and Lalsot, which is a bad road. However, you can enjoy a night stay in Dausa, which is promoted by the Rajasthan Government as a pad for village tourism. A direct train from Delhi or Mumbai to Sawai Madhopur is always advisable. It is a lot cheaper and also less complicated and a much more interesting journey.