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Ranthambore National Park
The name Ranthambore is derived from two hills in the area, Ran and
Thanbhor. Another version says that Ranthambhore was once called Rana
Stambhapura or City of the Pillars of War.
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.)