Bandhavgarh
(The ancient Name is Bandhogarh) National park Village-TALA,
Taluka-Bandhavgarh, District-Umaria, (Madhya Pradesh), INDIA -
Paradise Regained
Although
Bandhavgarh is a relatively small park in the last few years this
Former game
reserve has become one of India's most prominent National Parks.
The major reason for all the interest is Bandhogarh's high density
of tigers (The Bagh), which roam the mixed forests
of sal ,bamboo and ambilica officinale in search of an easy kill.
The tigers (The Bagh) have not only bolstered the local population
by breeding success sfully, they have also brought international
media attention to the park and the plight of the
Royal Bengal Tiger.BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK Compact, yet full of
game. The density of tiger population at Bandhavgarh is the
highest known in India. 60 Tigers at 450 Sq. k.m. area in
Bandhavgarh National Park. This is also "WHITE TIGER" country. The
last known as captured by Maharaja Martand Singh in 1951. This
White Tiger "Mohan", is now stuffed and display in the place of
Maharajah of Rewa.
Bandhavgarh is densely populated with other species.
Bandhavgarh is sided with great cliffs and eroded rocks and on its
highest point stands "Bandhavgarh fort" thought to be some 2,000
years old. Around the fort, are numerous caves containing shrines
and ancients Sanskrit inscription.
Covering 450 Sq. k.m., Bandhavgarh is situated in
Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh among the outlying hills of the
Vindhya range. At the center of park is Bandhavgarh hill rising
811 meters above MSL. The lowest point in the park is at Tala (440
meter above MSL).
The vegetation is chiefly of sal forest in the valleys and on the
lower slopes Bamboo is found throughout the park. Bandhavgarh
forest, as a Shikargah, or game preserve, of the Maharajas of Rewa. H.H Maharaja Shri Martant Singh Ji Ju Deo shoot 109 Tigers.
H.H Maharaja Shri Venkat Raman Singh Ji Ju Deo shoot 111 Tiger by
1914. The great Singer "TANSEN" (Tansukh Manget Pandey) and The
Great Adviser Raja BIRBAL was there in the Darbar of H.H Maharaja
Shri Raamchandra Ji ju deo the ruler of Bandhogarh in the same
time two more great singer were there i.e. TANI ( The lover of
TANSEN who only knows the Raga MEGA-MAHALAR only other than TANSEN)
and Pandit Baijnath who was called as Baiju Bawara ( The Mad
Singer). "Tansen" was a friend of H.H Maharaja Shri Raamchandra Ji
ju deo. There after Tansen and Raja BIRBAL gone to Delhi Darbar as
a "Navratan of Samrat AKBAR". Bandhogarh areas were constituted as
a National park by 1968.
WHAT TO SEE
:-
The Fort
- Bandhavgarh fort is thought however to be some 2,000 years old
and there are reference to it in the ancient books. Various Ruler
ruled the fort. The "Kalchuries"
from 10th century. in the 13th century AD, the "Baghelas" took
over, ruling from Bandhavgarh until 1617. When Maharaja
Vikramaditya Singh moved his capital to Rewa.
The
Shesh Shaya
:- The statue of Lord Vishnu in laying position with umbrella of "Shesh
Nag" along with "The Shivling" and " The Brahma" are situated
there. The origin of River "Charan Ganga" is also from the foot of
"Lord Vishnu". That is of 10th century.
Wildlife
:- There are more than 22 species of mammals and 250 species of
birds. Common langures (Monkey) include the Asiatic Jackal, Bengal
Fox, sloth bear, ratel gray mongoose, stiped hyena, junglecat,
leopard and TIGER. Frequently sight are wild bore, spotted
dear, sambar, barkingdear, Nilgai, Chausingha, chinkara, Indian bison. Mammals such as dhole, the small Indian civet, palam,
squriel and lesser bondicoot rat are seen occasionally.
The
vegetation along streams and morasses is rich in bird Life. The
common ones are little grabe, egret, lesser teal, white eyed buzzard, black Kite,
crested serpent eagles, black vulture, Egyptian vulture, common peafowl, red jungle fowl, dove, parakeet,
king-fisher, Indian roller and the Indian National bird Indian
peacock. Repetition fauna include cobra, krait, viper, ratsnake,
python, turtle and number of Lizard varieties including varuns.
Wildlife
Viewing :- There are two main ways of getting about in the park either in
a motor vehicle or on the elephant back. Jeeps safari are best
under taken from the down about 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. until dusk as
the animals are most active during this period. Elephant are used
every morning by the forest department for Tiger - tracking. If a
Tiger is found then the elephant will take you directly to the
Tiger from a near by reached by jeep/car.
A forest department guide must always accompany you with a
naturalist from our side (optional). This guide/naturalist will be
able to direct you and point out wildlife.
Safaris in Bandhavgarh
:-
Park entry time is according to season, depending mainly on the
sunrise and sunset, To travel into the lush green jungle of
Bandhavgarh.
Traveling within the park is by three ways.
The first is your own vehicle, preferably a 4-wheel drive. (It
is however necessary to take along an authorized guide and your
vehicle that should be petrol.)
The second option are the numerous authorized 4-wheel drives run
by the locals, which are available from the Resort. This option
being a very exciting one, as most visitors prefer an open a
safari into the jungle and being accompanied by a professional
naturalist who will guide them through the forest.
The third is sane elephant ride. These are booked the same day
depending upon the availability. Elephant Safaris All the national
parks in the country differ in the activities and the facilities
that they offer to their visitors. Like wise Bandhavgarh too has
certain unique selling point. The elephant rides are distinct in
some ways although there is a common factor of paying the fees and
then taking up a ride for a few hours. There are primarily two
ways.
The traditional way is you pay for a minimum 1-session ride but this is purely depending upon the tracking skills of
your mahout and your luck.
This is done only in the afternoon. Booking for this is done the
same day morning depending on the availability.
The second way is a and slightly more controversial method is what
is called "Tiger Shows". For these shows, the mahouts head out in
the wee hours of the morning and track down a tiger. Once the
tiger settles down in a spot, the word is spread and all visitors
are taken for short rides from the jungle track.
This, although it ensures that almost all visitors to the park go
back with happy memories of a "sighting", is novenas exciting as
chance sightings from tech tracks. Not knowing what one has in
store sometimes is no doubt more challenging than knowing the
whereabouts of the animals.
Best Time to visit Bandhavgarh National Park
The best time to visit the park, keeping all aspects in mind, is
between December and February but it is the warmer months of
April, May and June that are best for tiger sightings. During the
summer months, most of the animals are seen around the few
precious water bodies not yet vaporized by the intense heat.
Climate in Bandhavgarh
Bandhavgarh experiences climatic conditions that vary to opposite
extremes. In winters, the bitter cold forces the visitors to pur
on multiple layers as protection against the biting cold. Early morning
rides can be in temperatures that dip about four, once you
take the wind chill factor into consideration. In the summers, it
changes drastically to the opposite. It now fee is uncomfortable
to even sometimes put on the cotton t-shirt.
The temperature in the winters varies from 4 to 20 degrees
centigrade between November and February. In the summers, the
temperatures move to the other extreme and can go up to 48 degrees
centigrade. Towards late summer, it is also advisable to carry
some protection, for yourself and for your cameras, from rain.
Bandhavgarh has an average annual rainfall of 1200 mm. The rains
here give very little prior warning and and it is preferable
to be prepared for your own protection, as well as for your
equipment. These rains, however, bring good respite from the
blistering heat. A single shower can make temp erasures fall from
45 degrees to 30 degrees centigrade. The main monsoon season
mostly begins only once the park is closed from 1st
July to 15th
October.
To discover this wonderland of the big cat, you have to pack your
bags and come to this paradise.
Mobile No. 094 2497 3602 |