Tourist Places

Ranthambhore Guide

Ranthambhor is plagued by the typical problems encountered by all game reserves in India - people living in and around the parks and grazing by livestock! Between 1976-1979, 12 villages within Ranthambhor National Park were resettled outside the designated park area with only a few people now residing in scattered hamlets within the park. Of course poachers continue their activities with increasing demand from China for Tiger parts. There are no accurate figures on how many tigers and poachers kill other species, but on occasion evidence appears in the form of large numbers of skins and other body parts found on couriers.

The tiger is not the only attraction at Ranthambhor; although it is the one park resident people come to see. We were lucky to see several varieties of birds including these owlets peering through their burrow pictured here on the right and of course the ubiquitous langur monkey. Other animals in the reserve include leopard, caracal, hyena, jackal, jungle cat, marsh crocodiles, wild boar, bears and various species of deer.
The main food source for the tiger is the swamp deer like Barasinsga and on occasion the wild buffalo and also wild boar etc. If you wish to stay near the 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.

Ranthambhor has been a witness to the rise and fall of many rulers and a series of battle scenes.

In the 13th century A.D., Govinda, the grandson of Prithviraj Chauhan took over the reign of the land. Later his successor Vagbhatta beautified the city and built a noteworthy temple at Jhain.

In the middle of 15th century A.D., Rana Kumbha captured the fort and gifted it to his son to be occupied later by the Hada Rajputs of Bundi and Mughal Emperors Akbar and Aurangazeb. Mughal emperor Shah Alam gifted it to Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh 1 of Jaipur in 1754 and since then it was mainted as trhe hunting preserve of the Maharaja sawai madho Singh queen wlizabeth II and the duke of edinburgh were part of the royal part of hunting parties who stayed here.

Places of Interest in Ranthambhore

The Fort :

Ranathambhors royal past manifesests itself in the wel presered imposing fort, built in 1994 A.D. atop a steep high creek 200 metros above sea level ruined pavilions walls chatris and splendid monuments are interspresed within the majestic fort, An 8th century A.D Ganesh temple on an open land attracts thousands of devottes and id the venue for an annual fair held on Bhadrapad sudi Chaturthi fouth day of the bright half in the month of Bhadra.


Ranthambhore National Park

The 392 sq.km park comprises of dry deciduous forest sprawling over the undulating terrain of the Arvalli and Vindhaan ranges. The park is one of the finest tiger reserves in the country under the project tiger. The majestc predators assured if protection roam freely during the day times and can be seen at close quarters. Ranthambtor sanctuary has large number of sambhar, chital nigai chinkar langur wild boar and peafowl.

A system of three pretty artificial lakes padam talsb rajbagh and Milak talab alongwith a number of anicuits are part of the biosphere. Beside enhancing the scenic beauty of the park, they are an important source of water for the inhabitants of the park. While deer congregate here to drink water fresh water cocodile can be seen basking in the winter sun to regulate their body temperture. The lake also attracts a large number of migratory and local birds. The local fauna of the park includes leopard hyena jackal jungle cat sloth bear and a little population of pythons. The lovely jogi Mahal overlooking the pretty Padam Talab at the foot of the fort has a forest rest house. Other accommodation outside the fort also ensures a comfortable stay. The best time to visit is between November and April. Jeeps are available to take you around the park.