Ranthambore National Park
The Ranthambore National Park was the hunting ground of Maharajah of Jaipur.
In 1955, it was declared a game sanctuary; in 1980, it became a national park.
But with the commissioning of Project Tiger in 1972, it was included in the
project. With the addition of neighboring Keladevi and Mansingh sanctuaries,
the total area of the national park stands at 1,334 sq km. But the entire park
- the core area is just 392 sq kms - is not open to the public. The Ranthambore
Park is set between the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges. Its deciduous forests were
once a part of the magnificent jungles of Central India. The terrain is rugged
and there are rocky ridges, hills and open valleys with lakes and pools.
Ranthambore is a heritage site because of the picturesque ruins that dot the
wildlife park. There are lake palaces, 'chhatris', old fortifications and a
majestic 1,000-year-old fort, overlooking the park. The lovely Jogi Mahal is
located at the foot of the fort and gives magnificent view of the Padam Talao,
painted white with water lilies. The Ranthambhore park is famous for tigers
and due to conservation efforts, the tiger population has stabilized if not
increased here. The tigers can be spotted quite often even during the day, at
their normal pursuits-- hunting and taking care of their young ones. Ranthambhore
is one of the best places to see these majestic predators.
Prime Attractions of Park :
The most fascinating and most popular excursion taken from the national park
is to the Ranthambore Fort. This fort was built by the Chauhans in the 10th
century. The fort is located at a very strategic position between north and
central India and hence it was always coveted by many rulers. This fort is famous
for the 'Johar' (suicide by immolation to escape humilitaion) by Rajput women
in 1301AD during the siege by Ala-ud-din Khilji. The temples and tanks add to
the beauty of the fort. The seven gates and massive curtain walls, crowning
a fall-topped hill presents a majestic view.
Flora - Ranthambhore forest is dry deciduous with dhok (Anogeissus pendula)
trees as the main vegetation which is an important fodder tree for animals.
Kulu (Sterculia urens), ronj (Acacia leucophloea), ber (Zizyphus maudrentiana),
khimi (Manilkara hexandra), tendu (Diospyrous melanoxylon), polas (Butea monosperma),
peepal, mango and banyan are prevalent in Ranthambhore. But perhaps the most
spectacular is the flame of the forest which blooms in April, enveloping the
forest in a spectacular fiery red aura. The four lakes in Ranthambhore are surrounded
by a numerous species of trees like salar (Boswellia serrata), gurjan (Lannea
coromandelica) and gum (Sterculia urens).
Among the more fascinating features of Ranthambhore are the banyan trees, some
of which are known to be at least a 800 years old and are mentioned in ancient
texts. Ranthambhore can also boasts of the superb specimen of the banyan tree
that casts its magnificent canopy behind Jogi Mahal, the old hunting lodge by
the lake built in the latter part on the last century by the Maharaja of Jaipur.
Fauna - Ranthambhore National Park spans an area of about 400 sq km
with a tiger population of about 32. The tiger is relatively easier to spot
in Ranthambhore than in many other National Parks, thanks to the tourist friendly
nature of the tigers and the openness of its surroundings. The Park also supports
a large number of other wild species including leopards, the highly endangered
caracal, jungle cat, hyena, jackal, sloth bear, wild boar, marsh crocodile,
porcupine, common langur, spotted deer, Indian gazelle, sambar (Asiatic stag)
and nilgai (bluebull). Some of these species (especially the nocturnal ones
like the leopard and the caracal) are difficult to spot and sightings are rare,
but then that is bound to happen when every eye in the Park is looking for what
Ranthambhore is best known for the tiger.
The langur is the only primate found in Ranthambhore and is abundant in these
forests. It is not the tiger's best friend. Actually it is a source of great
annoyance to the tiger, since it has a remarkable eyesight and from its high
perch it can spot the slightest movement; its shrill alarm call effectively
warns all the other animals of danger. But if you are looking for tigers you
should be listening carefully, a langurs alarm call or for that matter a chitals
(spotted deer) call might be a good indication of the presence of a tiger in
the area.
Another animal that is sure to come you way in Ranthambhore is the sambar. It
is among the tiger's favourite prey. Largest of the Asiatic deer, the sambar
stands some 1.5 metres at the shoulder and weighs more than 270 kilograms.
Ranthambhore is also rich in migratory, water, and woodland birds. There are
about 270 species of birds in the Park including a large number of migratory
birds. Some of the many varities of birdlife to be found here are the great
Indian horned owl, various species of eagles such as Bonellis eagle and the
crested serpent, spoonbills, partridge, quail, parakeets, kingfishers, owls
and storks, geese and ducks. But perhaps the most visible bird in Ranthambhore
is the peacock, India's national bird. Every evening the peacocks of Ranthambhore
line up on the walls of the fort which stands on a cliff above the Park and,
after much calling, descend to specific roosting trees for the night.
Safaris :
The most exciting aspect of a visit to a wildlife sanctuary is the safari into
the jungles, of meeting the unexpected and completely missing the expected.
Animals can be seen in a zoo also, but the dangerous thrill of actually encountering
a wild beast in its natural habitat is a sure method of testing ones patience
and bravado.
The Park is open from October to April, after which the monsoons make it impossible
to enter forests as the muddy trails are washed away. The best times to view
wildlife are the early mornings and evenings, as fixed by the forest department,
and in Ranthambhore there is a fairly good chance of spotting a tiger. A network
of four tracks crisscross the park. A maximum of three open jeeps are allowed
on each trail at a time. There are open roofed canters (small trucks) but these
are not very good for viewing wildlife as they seat 20 people who can get really
excited on seeing an animal and scare it away. Also, canters are shaky vehicles
and photography is nearly impossible from them because their drivers stop and
start on their own whims and without warning. Rides into the jungle in open
jeeps is pretty safe as most of the wild animals are accustomed to human presence.
Best Time To Visit :
The best time to visit the Park is between October to February. Jeeps can be
booked upto five months in advance and even a day earlier. Each safari takes
about three hours
General Information :
» 165 km from Jaipur which is the nearest airport. Nearest railhead
is Sawai Madhopur (12 km).
» Average rainfall - 800mm
» Temperature - Min 4, Max 47 (deg. cel.)
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