Royal Tigers & Fort at Ranthambhore

Everywhere in India, the tigers were losing ground fast, maybe a few hundred were surviving. It was the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and the Project Tiger Program that came to rescue the beleaguered animal.

Ranthambore one of the finest habitat in Western India was declared a protected area or a reserve. The program was successful and was able to stem the rot.

With the consequent successes, legendary tigers took birth within the reserve and ruled over the domain. Some of the popular tigers of Ranthambore reserve are:

• Machli The Legendary Queen
• Ustaad The Dominant Male
• Sundari Female
• Junglee
• Jumrooh
• Dollar
• Sitara
• Mala
• Romeo
• Sultan

These big cats have carved a niche for themselves in the annals of the history of wilderness in India. Often sighted they were subject to the study of the natural history of big cats but what made them famous was their ability to survive in the rugged wilderness and overcome harsh conditions and rules. The dominance of these predators is always awe-inspiring. They are on the top of the food chain and critically endangered. The presence extols the conservation program and is veritable proof of its success.

Well known for tigers, a little secret awaits those who visit Ranthambhore on a wildlife safari. Sprawling ancient monuments in picturesque settings mesmerize with their grandeur. In the backdrop of verdant mountains, grasslands and serene lakes live the magnificent tigers. Strikingly charismatic, massive, and of awesome strength the big cats enamor the visitors creating an indelible spot in the memory, unlike any other event.

History and nature combine to offer a spectacular experience of the sprawling reserve in Western India. A safari leads to sightings of many wild animals and birds. Ideal for wildlife holidays the park has a complete tourism infrastructure for a stay in doting luxury or on a budget.

Being a conservation unit it preserves the whole ecosystem linked by a fragile web that thrives in this unique desert habitat in Rajasthan in India.

The National Park is home to awe-inspiring biodiversity which has come into place through eons of evolution undisturbed and pure.

The fort and other archaeological evidence are attributed to Hammir Dev of the Chauhan Dynasty. The date of establishment is mired in controversy but the fort was assumed to have been built in 944 CE.

As per the Government, the construction started around mid-century and continued thereafter for many decades. Subsequent conquests by invading Moghul bloodied the history of Rajasthan but the fort stood unscathed.

After a turbulent historical seizure, the fort passed onto the Maharajahs of Jaipur before independence. Though abandoned it became the shikargah or hunting preserve of the rulers.

After independence, the princely kingdoms merged within the Union of India. Subsequently, the wilderness was notified as National Park and then a tiger reserve under the Central Government program Project Tiger.

Whilst on a game round the ramparts and imposing structures of the ancient fort are visible. Many tourists visit the fort to explore and enamor the magnificent architecture of old India.

Other marvels that can be seen around are the temples, Havelis, impressive gates, and fine rock art. In 2013 Ranthambhore Fort was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site,

Apart from the Royal Bengal Tiger, the reserve is home to leopard, sloth bear, sambar, Nilgai antelope, hyena, chinkara, spotted and barking deer, wild boar, and Hanuman langur. The lakes support a population of wild crocodiles or muggers.

The tigers of Ranthambore are popular for their unique method of hunting in the water. The big cats can often be seen striking at their prey while making an ambush from adjacent grasslands into the lakes in the park. This is unique, albeit the big cats are water-loving, nowhere do they adopt this technique? This is a spectacular sight and has been filmed by major companies.

The park is home to more than twenty-five tigers which can be seen on an organized safari.

Birds are another attraction of the park. A large number of avians can be sighted while on the game rounds. Some of the targeted species are:

Peacock, Asian palm swift, great crested grebe, snake bird, red-crested pochard, black-necked stork, Eurasian spoonbill, Northern goshawk, besra, flamingos, king vulture, black francolin, bar-headed goose, gadwall, garganey, wryneck, stork billed kingfisher, blue-tailed bee-eater...

Due to a large number of water bodies, migrants and wintering teals are frequently sighted in the park. More than two hundred and seventy avian species have been spotted at Ranthambhore.

Being much closer to New Delhi the capital of India a large number of tourists visit the reserve every year. In order to fulfill the accommodation needs many wildlife resorts and hotels have been established on the periphery.

Hotels and resorts subscribing to many categories are available for accommodation in Ranthambore. Properties ranging from budget to high-end luxurious ones offer various packages for a stay. National five-star brands have created magnificent resorts for staying nearby. The room alone, AP, and JP are the packages that are much popular.

Situated in the Aravalli Hills the reserve encompasses an area of more than one thousand square kilometers. Twenty percent of the area has been declared as a tourism zone which is divided into ten.

The park is open from 1st October to the end of June every year. However, some zones are open for tourism even during the closed period.

Sawai Madhopur is the nearest railhead connected with the Jaipur Capital of Rajasthan. From New Delhi, one can fly to Jaipur or take a train or taxi down to Sawai Madhopur.

A large number of hotels and resorts offer accommodation near the park. For a tiger tour at Ranthambhore one needs a permit. This permit or gate entry should be booked in advance in order to assure entry.