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Attractions in Ranthambore
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Wild
life safari - The Park, which is one
of the finest tiger reserves in the country,
is the main attraction of Ranthambore. Covering
over an area of 392 sq. km, Ranthambore is distinguished
by dry deciduous forests sprawling over the
Aravalli and Vindhyan ranges. If you are fortunate
enough you can also see the tiger strolling
in the jungle or near any of the three lakes-Padam
Talab, Raj Bagh Talab and Milak Talab. The park
also houses panthers in considerable numbers,
though they are spotted generally at the outskirts
of the park perhaps due to the inevitable
conflict with the tiger population
, which command the |
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'superior' position amidst
the predatory cats. Kachida Valley is regarded
as the ideal place for spotting panthers.
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.
Besides animals, about 264 species of birds
are 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
she-duck
and
pintails can be spotted. Monitor lizards and
marsh crocodiles are also found here.
Rides into the park are highly regulated and
private cars are not allowed. If you are staying
at a resort, you can enter the park in their
jeeps. 3-hour trips are organized every morning
and afternoon, beginning from the Forest Departments
along four different trails. Only a limited
number of vehicles are allowed to travel over
them at a given time. The morning trip sets
off half an hour after sunrise and the evening
trip ends half an hour after sunset.
Ranthambore
Fort - A visit to Ranthambore is incomplete
till a visit is made to the remarkable Ranthambore
Fort too. The fort was built by the Chauhan
rulers in the 10th century and is considered
to be one of the oldest forts of Rajasthan.
Due to its strategic location, the fort was
ideal to keep the enemy at bay. The fort is
also related to the historical legend of the
royal women performing jauhar(self
immolation) when the Muslim invader Ala-ud-din
Khilji laid siege on this fort in 1303. The
fort is characterised by temples, tanks, massive
gates and huge walls.
Jogi
Mahal - The Jogi Mahal is a must-visit
place in Ranthambore. It is the forest rest
house that overlooks the pretty Padam Talab.
The Mahal lies close to the park and has all
the facilities for a comfortable stay. The most
important aspect of Jogi Mahal that attracts
a large number of tourists every year is the
ancient banyan tree, which is believed to be
the second largest banyan tree in India.
Quick Getaways near Ranthambore
| Tonk
- Situated at a distance of 100
kilometres from Ranthambore, Tonk is an
old town dating to the middle of the 17th
century. Reviving a forgotten era, Tonk
makes a must visit itinerary in your excursion
from Ranthambore. As the small town used
to be the stronghold of the Pathan tribesmen
of Afghanistan, Tonk is characterised
by the Sunehri Kothi
with its elaborate mirror work and colourful
combination of painted mosques, mansions
and colonial buildings.
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Kota
- Located at a distance of 100 kilometers from
Ranthambore, Kota is another significant place
to visit during your excursion from Ranthambore.
Kota used to be an important part of the former
Rajput kingdom of Bundi. It became a separate
princely state during the 17th century. The
glory of those times could be seen in the several
monuments, palaces and gardens that exist here.
Located on the eastern bank of Chambal River,
Kota has number of sites to visit and see. The
city fort and palace, Kota Barrage, the Kishore
Sagar tank (which was built in 1346), the Jagmandir
palace (built on a small island at the centre
of a tank in 1740), the Brij Vilas Palace Museum,
the Chambal gardens and Chhattar Bilas gardens
with its number of royal cenotaphs are some
of the places you must visit in Kota. |
Festivals
& Events in Ranthambore
Ganesh Chaturthi - The Reserve is
home to one of the most famous Ganesh temples in the
state of Rajasthan. It is a common belief here that
all the marriage invitations should first be sent
to Lord Ganesh at his temple here. This makes the
spot an exceptional pilgrimage site and invitations
pour from all over the country throughout the year,
especially during the Ganesh Chaturthi Festival
in the months of September/October. During the festival,
devotees participate in the singing of devotional
songs.
Kaila Devi Fair
- The Kaila Devi Fair is celebrated
in the Kaila Devi or Mahalaxmi temple in the village
Kaila, situated in the range of Ranthambore National
Park. Sited on the river Kailisil, the temple hosts
the festival for around 15 days in the Hindu month
of Chaitra (April). Approximately 2,00,000 devotees
participate in this festival every year.
Getting There and Away to Ranthambore
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The
nearest airport to Ranthambore is the Jaipur
Airport, about 145 km away. Regular flights
are available from Jaipur to other cities including
Delhi, Mumbai, Aurangabad, Jodhpur, and Udaipur. |
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The nearest
rail junction is the Sawai Madhopur Railway
Station at a distance of 11 km from the park.
It is on the main Delhi-Mumbai railway line
and some of the major trains stop here. |
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An excellent
network of buses connect Sawai Madhopur, the
nearest town from Ranthambore to all the major
cities within the state of Rajasthan. |
Getting
Around in Ranthambore
Bicycles are available on hire to roam around the
town. Jeeps have to be booked in advance for the safari.
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