Ranthambore Travel Guide

Originally a hunting ground of the Maharaja of Jaipur, Ranthambore was declared a game sanctuary in 1955. In 1980, it became a national park and listed among the reserves protected under Project Tiger (1973). Presently the Kaila Devi Sanctuary, also famous for its tigers, and Mansingh Sanctuary also form part of Ranthambore Reserve.Ranthambore, which receives thousands of visitors each year, is famous for its tigers, whose population it seeks to increase and sustain. Year after year, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve continues to attract not just tourists but dignitaries as well. The U.S. President Bill Clinton, during his recent visit to India, found time to visit Ranthambore despite his busy schedule. Nevertheless, the king of the jungle obliges both dignitaries and the common tourists with his benign presence.

Attractions in Ranthambore

Tigers can be spotted quite often in their natural habitat even during daytime. They have been frequently seen at the edges of three lakes—Padam Talab, Raj Bagh Talab and Milak Talab. The park also has panthers in sizable numbers, though they have been spotted generally at the outskirts of the park perhaps due to the inevitable conflict with the tiger population, which command the ‘superior’ position amidst the predatory cats. For spotting panthers, Kachida Valley is regarded as the ideal place.
Other mammalian species that have made Ranthambore their home are antelopes, nilgai, sambhar, chital, sloth bear, wild boar, chinkara, porcupines, jackals, leopards, jungle cats, fox, caracals, hyena, gazelle, Indian hare, mongoose and jacanas. Sambhars are in abundance at the park and form the prime target of all the predatory mammals.

There are about 264 species of birds found within the park including painted storks, white-necked storks, black storks, peafowl, crested serpent eagles, Bonelli's eagle, Indian horned owl, quail, partridge, spur fowl, paradise flycatcher and jacanas. During winters migratory birds like graylag goose, ruddy sheiduck and pintails may also be spotted. Monitor lizards and marsh crocodiles are also found here.

The park’s topography varies from secure forests to open scrublands. Vegetation is of the dry deciduous type, with dhok being the most prominent tree. Ranthambore’s water bodies are known to have lovely lotus flowers and water liis situated. Among the park’s other oddities is the forest rest house, Jogi Mahal, the premises of which sports the second largest banyan tree in India!

Ranthambore is one of the most suitable places for wildlife photography in the world. The park may be toured in a jeep or lorry-van. A guide and a park ranger generally accompany tourists. There is a network of four gravel tracks inside the park for safaris. Ruins within and around Ranthambore bear a testimony to its royal past. There are lake palaces, old fortifications and the majestic Ranthambore fort on a height overlooking the park. The forest rest house is situated at the foot of the fort within Jogi Mahal. It overlooks the Padam Talab, which is afloat with water liis situated and lotuses.

Around the Sanctuary of Ranthambore
A noteworthy site for excursion is the Ranthambore fort. Built by the Chauhan rulers in the 10th century, this fort was the envy of many rulers because of its strategic location between central and northern parts of India. When the Muslim invader Alauddin Khilji laid siege to this fort in 1303, the women of the household performed jauhar (or self-immolation). This historic fort has many temples, tanks, massive gates and curtain walls. This monument has been declared a protected site by the Archeological survey of India.

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