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Tiger, Ranthambhor National Park |
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Jungle Safari, Ranthambhor National Park |
From Tonk, the
southern router leads on to Bundi and Kota. For Sawai Madhopur (80
km), take the eastern route which will take you to the
Ranthambhore National Park, one of the two most important National
Parks in the state of Rajasthan which is under the Project Tiger.
The gateway to this important wildlife sanctuary is Sawai Madhopur
where Maharajas of Jaipur stayed at their beautiful hunting lodge
and from where important guests such as Queen Elizabeth II, Prince
Phillip and the Mountbatten have also been taken on royal hunts.
The modern town lies about 180 km from Jaipur and was originally
founded by Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I of Jaipur, in 1759. The
Amer rulers (the Kachhawahas) had a long standing association with
Sawai Madhopur for many centuries. The Ranthambhore Fort (14 km)
was gifted to them by the Mughals, along with vast tracts of
surroundings forest-land. The region around Sawai Madhopur is
thick with remnants of its past history. Walls, wells, mosques and
hunting lodges adorn the lush rolling hills of the Vindhyas and
the Aravalis. One of these lodges has been converted into a hotel
run by Rajasthan Tourism and another, forest lodge hotel, which
was a
hunting
lodge of the Maharaja of Jaipur, is run as a hotel.
Every effort has been made to retain the original ambience of the
30s. The Ranthambhor National Park and the Ranthambhor Fort lie
within easy reach of Sawai Madhopur (which is also the nearest
railhead).
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PLACES OF INTEREST ARE:
Ranthambhor Fort: Ranthambhor has a torrid history of
battles of valiant and brave warriors. Ruled successively by; the
Yadavs and Chauhans, Alauddin Khilji and the Mughals, Ranthambhor
is alive with memories of its glorious past in its palaces,
temples, cenotaphs and numerous ruins. The Fort of Ranthambhor is
reputed to have been built in 944 AD by brave Chauhan warrior
after receiving the blessing of an ascetic. Further additions were
made to it by subsequent rulers. Practically impregnable, it
withstood the attacks of such stalwarts as Alauddin Khilji and
various Mughals, before succumbing to their attacks. In 1528, it
passed into hands of the Mughals who later gifted it to the
Maharaja of Jaipur around the end of the 17th century. The
surrounding forest tracts became the private hunting grounds of
the royal family.
The Ranthambhor Fort is one of the oldest in Rajasthan. Located
securely at a vantage point of 250 meters above the forested
valley, it is built on an awesome scale. Its massive ramparts,
gates and bastions sent a stern massage to its enemies. Rao Hamir,
the most valiant ruler, is said to have refused to bow his head
before Khilji, despite the serve food shortage and lack of other
provisions. Though the palace lies in ruins, there are still a few
ancient landmarks, the visitors can see.
Ranthambhor National Park: Ranthambhore enjoys a coveted
place in the History of India where more battles were lost than
won. The Graves and Cenotaphs in ruins are the mute relics of
sieges that lasted not months but years. The centre of Human
activity till 200 years ago, when left no nature, has demonstrated
the unfailing confidence of nature in re- establishing it as a
fine wildlife reserve, the Natural history of which is second to
none among the other ten Tiger Reserves of the Country.
Geology of Ranthambhore is complex and confusing. The Vindhyan
flat hill tops, gentle slopping and syncline slopes on one side
and steep escarpments show clear inclined horizons of sand stone,
quartize and occasionally horizontal shale beds. The Razor sharp
ridges represent the Aravallies on the out skirts of the Reserve.
As a Typical representative of the Tropical dry deciduous
vegetation the forest is dominated by dhok. In early rains
specially when the leaves are young, the foliage is beautifully
green and finally before falling with Gentle breeze, it turns
grey. The forest in summer is dry and drab but it gets punctuated
with Red flowers of the flame of Forest dhak in March and light
yellow of the flowering of Amaltas in June. Salai and Karaya are
dry for most part of the year but their skeletal design display
fine anatomy of the trees. A drive through Jamun and Mango ever
green ever glades is thrilling as one would expect a Tiger cooling
himself in the river pools even in winters. The glades are Micro
climates distinctly different from the adjoining forest. In summer
they really present a contrast of climates changing within few
meters. The glades present a refreshing cool environment. The
Baniyan- the tree that walks is the specialty of the vegetation.
The tree at Jogi Mahal is the protected tree to Rajasthan. It has
a spread of 200 sq meters. Even the Mango trees growing
luxuriously in the valleys reconfirm of the tropical environment.
The Tiger appears to have well established himself in
Ranthambhore. There are about 20 resident Tigers and a few visit
the reserve in winters. The common Leopard shares the Habitat. But
the number of Jackals is large and they complete with the Tiger.
Others who share with tiger are Hyaenas and sloth bears. It is the
Population of Sambhar and Wild boar that attract the predators.
According to the last count there are 3100 Sambhars and 1835 wild
boars in addition to 3290 chital and 1569 Nilgai. This establishes
Ranthambhore Hardly 400 sq. km of an area as the reserve with the
richest population of the Sambhar. Among Tiger reserves it is the
place where Chinkara is conspicuous. Population density of common
langur in the reserve is also highest in the country.
Being dry deciduous ecosystem interspersed with ever green glades
it is rich in avifauna. The Paradise flycatcher, Partridge, red
spur fowl and pea fowl green pigeon. The Vultures including the
King and white backed always looking for Dead are present. Crested
serpent eagle is Conspicuous.
The wild paradise is on Display in the afternoon when Sambhar
arrive to feed in the Aquatic ecosystem of Mirag and Padam talab
and Raj Bag Lake. The shores of these lakes are the centers of
activity of wild boars, Chital and Nilgai.
Ganesh Temple: The Temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha is
located in the fort of Ranthambhor, about 12 km from Sawai
Madhopur and it is one of the most important Ganesha Temples in
the State. There is always a lot of activity at he temple because
people believe that he first invitation to a marriage should be
sent to Lord Ganesha. As a result, hundreds of invitations pour in
everyday from all over the country inviting Lord Ganesha to attend
the marriage. Some people also enclose money to enable Lord
Ganesha to pay for his fare! This temple is the site for Ganesh
Chaturthi celebrations attracting devotees from all over to join
in the singing of devotional songs. Markets spring up in the area,
allowing the people to do their shopping as well.
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EXCURSIONS:
Kameshwar Mahadev - Mini Khajuraho (40 km): This is a
Post-Gupta period temple which is definitely 1200 year old example
of art and culture. This temple dedicated to Lord Shiva has
hundreds of couples in sexual carvings like those in Khajuraho.
Every fourteenth day of Hindu months, thre is a fair held at the
temple.
Surwal Lake (20 km): A shallow seasonal lake, situated
between acres of agricultural fields, which usually dries out by
April-May is home to a large number of different kinds of
migratory birds during winters. Painted Storks, Flamingoes,
Spoonbills, Sarus Cranes, Greylag Geese amongst others can be seen
in large numbers in Surwal between the months of November and
March. During this season, the best time to see birds is very
early in the morning. Serious Bird watchers should be at the lake
before sunrise.
Bhuri Pahadi Gaon (25 km): In this town is confluence of
two rivers. There is a desert stretch of about 6 sq km. Thousands
of flamingos migrate to this region every year in October -
November and stay over to next year, March.
Devpura (25 km): Where Black Bucks abound, is not far from
Surwal. Here one often sees small herds of Black Bucks grazing in
farmlands. Interestingly, Black Bucks are almost never seen inside
the Ranthambhore National Park. This could be because Black Bucks
prefer open spaces to jungles.
Rameshwaram Ghat (70 km): Which lies at the confluence of
rivers Chambal and Banas, is home for large number of migratory
birds, crocodiles, alligators, the endangered river dolphins
(which are very rare) and many other animal species. A group of
ancient temples also located at the ghat.
Since these ghats are beyond the Mansarovar Lake and Khandar Fort
one can visit both these places in the same trip.
Pali Ghat (40 km): Situated on the banks of the river
Chambal, on the border of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh states.
This stretch of the river is officially a crocodile sanctuary and
is particularly beautiful during full moon nights.
SHOPPING:
The region is famous for "Khas"
perfumes and other objects made of "Khas" including fans, small
boxes, caps, etc.
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