Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

India’s pride, the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is one of the most famous tiger reserves in the whole of India. Viewed as a pioneer for proffering the issue of the conservation of tigers in the aftermath of a rapid decline in their numbers, the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is inundated by tourists throughout the year. Located in the eastern part of Rajasthan in Karauli and Sawai Madhopur districts, the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is made up of three parts- the Ranthambore National Park and two sanctuaries viz the Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary and the Keladeo sanctuary.

The Maharajas of Jaipur (in the later part of the 20th century) sported a very royal hobby: hunting. Their idea of a day well spent was the hunting down of a ferocious carnivore, tigers being their favorite. But with the number of tigers falling steeply, they realized that their ‘game’ was in jeopardy. Their desire to preserve the game in these forests, galvanized them to take concrete steps towards the protection of tigers until the launch of Project Tiger in 1973. The main objective behind launching the project Tiger was to put a check on the dramatic decrease in tiger population all over India by identifying the major reasons for the steady fall in their numbers and taking steps to mitigate the same. The effort has had a very positive effect on the tiger population in India.

The Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, famous all over the world for its tigers flaunts an amazingly rich flora and fauna. Much of the landscape is a tropical dry deciduous forest, with ‘Dhok’ tree being the most ubiquitous tree in the reserve. The Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is most famous for its tiger. They can be easily spotted here, cooling themselves off beside a water body or resting under tree shade. Apart from the tiger which lends fame to this place, other animals found here are striped hyenas, common or Hanuman langurs, rhesus macaques, Black aped hare, caracals, blackbuck, jackals and a good population of leopards. Also, a staggering 272 species of birds (recorded thus far) is something this place boasts of.

Today, the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve covers an expansive 1334 sq. km. Now if you are a wee bit perplexed as to how to go about covering such a large area, do not worry. Safari rides have been made available to take you on a sometimes smooth and sometimes bumpy ride though the reserve so that you can spot the wandering tigers and soak in the breathtakingly amazing flora and fauna of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. So take a deep breath and fill your heart with the enchanting beauty this place offers.

So, the next time you are planning your vacation, make sure you spend it in Rajasthan and once here make sure that the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is somewhere at the top on your ‘To Visit’ list. Get ready to get wowed!

Ranthambore Fort

Once when a tourist was asked about his destination-visit plans upon reaching Ranthambore, the Tiger Reserve was a blatant answer. Tigers have become such an integral part of the region that it is rumored that Ranthambore is synonymous to ‘The Tiger Kingdom’. And protecting this kingdom of the protector itself is the gargantuan Ranthambore fort. Included as a destination in the World Heritage Site list, the Ranthambore centers mainly around the Ranthambore National Park, which was used as a hunting ground by the kings.

The fort has been a witness to many events which are of prime importance in Indian history, such as invasion by the then king of Mewar, and many other rulers including Akbar the Great. The fort plays host to many temples of Indian gods, which include temples of Lord Ganesh, Lord Shiva and other gods of Jainism.

You might have heard of mythical stories relating to snakes which transfigure into an enticing human form. A visit to Ranthambore fort might render those stories true. The fort was once believed to be abode of the Nagil people, descendants of Nagvanshi Mahapurusha Nagavaloka.

Ranthambore fort may not promise you a luxurious tour, but it definitely guarantees one thing- spine-chilling adventure in the company of fascinating history itself.