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Ranthambhore National Park (Rajasthan)
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Hotels & Resorts in
Ranthambhore |
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Ranthambore was
established as the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955 by the Indian
Government, and was declared one of the Project Tiger reserves in 1973.
Ranthambore became a national park in 1980. In 1984 the adjacent forests
were declared the Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary and Keladevi Sanctuary, and in
1991 the tiger reserve was enlarged to include Sawai Man Singh and
Keladevi sanctuaries, a totally tropical lilt. The Ranthambore National
Park, at the junction of the Aravallis and the Vindhyas, is a unique
juxtaposition of natural and historical richness, standing out
conspicuously in a vast arid and denuded tract of eastern Rajasthan,
barely 14 km. from the town of Sawai Madhopur. |
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Ranthambore
Fort
Ranthambhore's royal past manifests itself in the well-preserved
imposing fort, built in 994 A.D. atop a steep high creek 200 meters
above sea level. Ruined pavilions, walls, chhatris and splendid
monuments are interspersed within the majestic fort. An 8th century
A.D. Ganesh temple on an open land attracts thousands of devotees and
is the venue for an annual fair held on. Bhadrapad Sudi Chaturthi,
fourth day of the bright half, in the month of Bhadra. |
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The fort is believed to be the site at which the first jauhar in
Rajput history was performed. In the early 14th century, the ruler of
the fort, Hammir deva, was engaged in a protracted battle with the
muslim forces. Although Hammir repulsed the Muslim invaders; the women
who were installed in the fort for their safety heard that he had
succumbed on the battlefield. In usual Rajput style, preferring death
to dishonor, they committed mass suicide. When confronted with the
grisly news, the victorious Hammir beheaded himself before the image
of God Shiva in the temple at the fort.
From a distance, the fort is not an imposing edifice, being almost
indiscernible on its hilltop looking out over the lake of Padam Talab.
However it offers very fine views form the disintegrating walls of the
Badal Mahal, on its northern side, and its seven enormous gates still
intact. |
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Sawai Mansingh
Sanctuary :
The terrain is flat and rocky and some hills with gentle
slopes. Devpura irrigation dam, in the Sanctuary is a useful
source of water for wildlife and good habitat for aquatic flora
and fauna.
Keladevi Sanctuary :
The Keladevi Sanctuary is northern extension of the
Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in Karauli and Sawai Madhopur
districts. There are hills in the south, north and eastern
parts. At many places, it has a curious feature of two separate
ridges running parallel to each other. The forest between such
ridges dense. The Sanctuary is bounded in the west by the river
Banas and in the south by the river Chambal. The Banas finally
flows into the Chambal.
Jungle Safari
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There are about 42 tigers in Ranthambore National Park. A good
network of gravel tracks crisscross the park and safaris are
undertaken in open-sided jeeps driven by ranger. |
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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. |
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Mansarovar lake (26 Kms) :
Best Scenic Vistas, Camping, Paradise for Bird watchers
Surwal lake (20 Kms) : A scenic and mesmeric location filled with
natural beauty where the migratory birds flock
Pali Ghat (40 Kms) : A preferred camping & boating spot at the banks
of River Chambal
Rameshwaram Ghat (70 Kms) : Picnic Spot on the confluence of Rivers
Chambal & Banas, crocodiles, dolphins and migratory birds
Kandhar Fort (50Kms) : A Historic & Majestic fort on the outskirts of
Ranthambhore National Park
Amreshvar Mahadev Temple : Revered Shiv Temple, The waterfall and the
Verdant grove make this spot ideal for picnics
The Ganesh Temple : the invincible remains of history and the divine
revered spot which is the most highly placed Ganesha's shrine all over India
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Transportation : |
- Air : Nearest airport is Jaipur
(175 kms).
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Rail : Nearest
railhead is Sawai-Madhopur (12 kms) which is on the Bombay-Delhi section
of Western Railway.
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Road : Ranthambore
is connected by regular bus service to Sawai-Madhopur 12 km, Agra 226 km,
Bharatpur 166 km, Delhi 434 km, Kota 217 km, Jaipur 180 km.
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Local Transport :
Private Horse driven tongas are available at the Railway Station. R.T.D.C.
or private jeeps can be hired from Tourist Information Bureau,
Sawai-Madhopur. Charges Rs.350-400 for full jeep for one trip to the
National Park.
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Distances - Ranthambhore |
Delhi 415 Kms. , Agra 383 Kms. , Ajmer 286
Kms. , Alwar 248 Kms. , Bharatpur 302 Kms.
Jaipur 176 Kms. , Jaisalmer 786 Kms. , Jodhpur 481 Kms. , Mt. Abu 663 Kms. ,
Ranthambhore - Kms. |
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