Day 72 - Ranthambore - Sawai Madhopur

Ranthambore is famous for one of the largest national parks in Northern India. it is the only place in India where the tigers, the royal predators can be spotted in the jungle, even during the day. Ranthambore National Park recognised as the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955 by the Government of India, was a stated Project Tiger Reserve in 1973. Later, Ranthambore become a national park in 1980. It is located in Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan.


How to reach here:

By Air: Sanganer Airport located at Jaipur is nearly 180 km from the Ranthambhore city.

By Rail: Sawai Madhopur, at a distance of nearly 10 km, is the nearest railway station to Ranthambhore. This railhead is on the Broad Gauge line between Mumbai and Delhi and is connected to all cities in India by trains.


Languages spoken: Mewari, Hindi and English.


Best time to visit: October to April.


Famous Restaurants: Dining room of Oberoi Hotel.


Places you must visit: 

Ranthambore National Park is one of the best place to see the tigers, the majestic predators and thus they are the main attraction of this park. This park has also shown that the tigers can live and breed in close proximity to the human settlements. The tigers can be spotted quite often even during the day, when they are hunting and taking care of their young ones. Other wild animals found in the park are the Leopards, Caracals, Jungle Cats, Hyenas, Jackals, Sloth bear, Deer, Antelopes, Nilgai, Sambhar, Chital, Chinkara, Wild Boar, Porcupines, Indian Hare, Mongoose and Marsh Crocodile. The lakes and water holes in the Ranthambore National Park are the best places to sight the animals. These water bodies are full of lotus and water lilies. Resident and migratory birds can also be found in Ranthambore National Park. There are about 264 species of birds found within the park. This park is surrounded by the Vindhya and Aravali hill ranges and is very near to the outer fringes of the Thar Desert. Its deciduous forests were once a part of the magnificent jungles of Central India. The terrain is rugged and the hills, ancient sedimentary limestone and sandstone rocks, perennial lakes and deciduous vegetation comprises of the topography.Ranthambore National Park was originally a hunting ground of the Maharaja of Jaipur. Ranthambore was declared as a game sanctuary in 1955. In 1973 this reserve was protected under Project Tiger and in 1980, it became a National park. The Ranthambore National Park is one of the state's well known tiger reserve under the Project Tiger.









Ranthambore Fort is situated on the top of the hill, which offers a beautiful view of the Ranthambore National Park to the tourists. The fort was constructed in 944 AD by Tatu Meenas and is located at the height of 700 ft above the surrounded plain. This fort possesses beautiful architecture and is situated in the middle of Vindhya and Aravali hills.The fort is huge and spreads across vast geographical area of around 7 km in circumference. During the period of 1528, this fort was in the possession of Mughal rulers and in 1559, Mughal emperor Akbar captured this fortress.  The beautiful fort was gifted to the Maharaja of Jaipur by the Mughals during 17th century. The infrastructure of the fort is marked by various Hindu and Jain temples and a mosque.







Jogi Mahal was built by the royal families of Jaipur and served as a hunting abode to various generations of Maharaja. After the decline of ruling authorities of Jaipur, this Mahal is turned into a guesthouse which offers comfortable stay to tourists during their visit to Ranthambore.Visitors can also visit banyan tree location, which is considered as the second largest banyan tree in India.







Surwal Lake offers beautiful view of flora and fauna in Ranthambore.During winters, many migrated birds can be seen at this lake. Plenty of birds which can be witnessed by visitors are demoiselle cranes, pelicans and many others.

Ranthambore national park has three lakes within it of which the smallest is the Malik Talao. These lakes act as a great ecosystem to the wild life, since it is a source of food and water to the birds and other animals. Malik Talao has a great number of birds' population, birds like Plovers, the Moorhen, herons, storks and kingfisher are seen here in plenty. Hawks and kites also share the water, Crocodiles swim through the marshy side, while the tigers and monkeys are seen drinking water in the banks of the lake.

Padam Talab is one of the most beautiful and largest lakes situated inside Ranthambore National Park. The title of this lake is provided because of the beautiful lotuses and lilies, which grow in this lake. Tourists can witness genghis tigers, which arrive at this lake for their prey, deer. A sight that tourists might witness is that of the combat between tigers and crocodiles.Herds of various species can be noticed at Padam Talab in the evening and early morning. The lake provides beautiful views of wildlife for photography and shootings.

Raj Bagh Ruins  are located between the Padam Talao (lake) and the Raj Bagh Talao. These ancient stone structures like arches, palace outhouses, domes and steps give the area an aura that is not possible to find anywhere else in the world. Especially if you include the jungle surroundings and are one of the lucky few who come across one of the resident tigers. These ruins are what give the Ranthambore National Park such a unique mixture of a wildlife reserve and a reminder of the past, which together make it one of the most picturesque parks in the entire world. 

Khandar Fort in an ancient fort situated in the Khandar Tehsil of Sawai Madhopur.This fort forms the boundary of the Ranthambhore National Park. It lies on a vertical hill and has three main entrances. The king of this fort was famous for never having lost a battle. The damaged walls and doors of this fort are associated with many ancient and historical incidents that took place in the place.This fort was ruled by Sisodia kings of Mewar for a long time, but later it was taken over by Mughals. Later on the fort was handed from Mughals to Maharajas of Jaipur in the 18th century. The structure of this fort includes seven temples inside its premises namely Jain temple, Hanuman temple, Chaturbhuja temple, Rani temple, Gobind Devji temple, Jagatpalji temple and Jayanti Mata temple.The Jain temple in this fort is known for its exquisite rock carved idols of Jain gurus. The Hanuman temple is famous for its single stone idol of Lord Hanuman with a demon under his feet. Chaturbhuja temple is known for its idol of four armed god. Jayanti Mata temple is known for its annual fair. The Rani temple is situated on the highest platform of this temple.Apart from the temples, the Khandar Fort also has two huge nearby tanks namely Ramkunda and Laxmankunda. Seven small ponds also form a part of its premises.