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Sawai Madhopur
Sawai Madhopur
GATEWAY TO THE TIGER'S DEN
Lying on the main Delhi-Mumbai railway line, Sawai Madhopur is the gateway
to the world renowned Ranthambhor National Park - the famous tiger
Reserve,just 12 km away from here. In the 13th century AD Govinda, the
grandson of Prithviraj Chauhan took over the reign of the land. Later his
succeessor Vagbhatta, beautified the city and built a noteworthy temple at
Jain. In the middle of the 15th century Rana Kumbha captured the fort and
gifted it to his son to be occupied later by the Hada Rajputs of Bundi and
Mughal Emperors Akbar and Aurangazeb.Mughal Emperor Shah Alam gifted it to
Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I of Jaipur in 1754 and since then it was
maintained as the hunting preserve of the Maharaja.Queen Elizabeth II and
the Duke of Edinburgh were part of the royal hunting parties who stayed
here.
THE FORT
Ranthambhor's royal past mainfests itself in the well-presived imposing
fort, built in 994 AD,atop a steep high creek 200 meters above sea
level.Ruined pavilions, walls, chhatris, and splendid monuments are
interspersed within the majestic fort.An 8th century AD Ganesh templespread
accross an open land attracts thousands of devotees and is the venue for an
annual fair held on Bhadrapad Sudi Chaturthi, fourth day the bright half,in
the month of Bhadra.
RANTHAMBHOR NATIONAL PARK
he 392 sq KM park comprises of dry deciduous forests sprawling over an
undulating terrain of the Aravalli and Vindhyan ranges. The park is one of
the finest tiger reserves in the country under the Project Tiger. The
majestic predators,assured of protection, roam freely during the day time
and can be seen at close quarters. Ranthambor sanctuary has a large number
of sambhar, chital, nilgai, chinkara, langur and wild boar.
A system of three pretty artifical lakes- Padam Talab, Rajbagh and Milak
Talab,alongwith a number of anicuts are part of the biosphere. Besides
enhacning the scientific beauty of the Park,they are an important source of
water for the inhabitants of the Park. While the deer congergates here to
drink water,fresh water crocodiles can be seen basking in the winter sun to
regulate their body temperature. The lake also attracts a large number of
migratory and local birds.
The local fauna of the Park includes the leapord, hyena, jackal, jungle cat,
sloth bear and a little population of pythons. The lovely Jogi Mahal
overlooking the pretty Padam Talab at the foot of the fort has a Forest Rest
House.Other accommodation outside the fort also ensures a comfortable stay.
The best time to visit is between November and April.Jeeps are available to
take you around the park.
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Rajasthan
Destinations
