Bandhavgarh National Park
Location: Madhya Pradesh
Main Wildlife Found: Tigers, Leopards, Bears
Coverage Area: 450 sq. km
Established: 1968 as a National Park and 1993 as a Tiger Reserve
Set among the Vindhya hills of Madhya Pradesh it contains a wide variety of habitats and a high density of game, including a large number of Tigers. This is also the White tiger country. These have been found in the old state of Rewa for Many years. Maharaja Martand Singh captured the last known in 1951. This white Tiger, Mohun is now stuffed and on display in the Palace of Maharaja of Rewa. Prior to becoming a National Park, the forests around Bandavgarh had long been maintained as a Shikargah, or game preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa. The Maharaja and his guests carried out hunting - otherwise the wildlife was well protected. It was considered a good omen for Maharaja of Rewa to shoot 109 tigers. His Highness Maharaja Venkat Raman Singh shot 111 Tigers by 1914.
There are 32 hills in this part of the park, which has a large natural fort at its center. The fort's cliffs are 2625 feet (800 meters) high, 1000 feet (300 meters) above the surrounding countryside. Bandavgarh has been a center of human activity and settlement for over 2000 years, and there are references to it in the ancient books, the Narad-Panch Ratra and the Shiva Purana. Legend has it that Lord Rama, hero of the Hindu epic, the Ramayana, stopped at Bandavgarh on his way back to his homeland after defeating the demon King Ravana of Lanka. Two monkey architects, who had engineered a bridge between the isle of Lanka and the mainland, are said to have built Bandavgarh's Fort. Later Rama handed it over to his brother Lakshmana who became known as Bandavdhish "The Lord of the Fort". Lakshmana is the particular God of the fort and is regularly worshipped in a temple there.
Climate The temperature rages from a maximum of 42°C in May ad June to around 4°C in winter. Casual summer clothing of natural colours is best from March to May. From November to February carry warm clothing for chilly mornings and misty evening.
Flora Initially just 105.40-sq-kms in area, Bandhavgarh with 25 resident tigers, was noted for its high-density tiger population. Today, it has been extended to an area of 437-sq-kms. About half the Bandhavgarh park is covered with fine trees of Sal, while mixed forests are found in the higher reaches of the hills. Stretches of bamboo and grasslands extend to the north. The main wildlife viewing is still done in the core of the park with its 32 picturesque, wooded hills.
Fauna Chinkara, can be sighted on the grassland areas of the park. The main prey animal, however for the Tiger and the park’s rarely sighted Leopard. Also to be seen are Nilgai, Chausingha and sounders of Wild Boar, as well as the occasional Jackal or Fox. Muntjac and sambhar prefer denser vegetation. There are two types of monkeys common in the park – the rhesus macaque and the black faced lagur. Jungle cats, hyenas, ratels, porcupines and a variety of other mammals can be spotted too. Bandhavgarh attracts many migratory birds in the winter months, including the birds of prey like the steppe eagles and a variety of wildfowl. Attracted by floweing and fruiting trees, some very attractive and less common birds can be seen – like the blue bearded bee eater, white bellied drongo, Tickell’s blue flycatcher, white browed fantail, minivets, white Malabar Hornbills and wood shrikets.
Travel Tips Visitors are advised to reach the gate half an hour in advance to complete the formalities for entry into the park.
Best Time to Visit The visiting season of Bandhavgarh national park starts from November to June, as the park remains closed during the monsoon months from July to October.
Main Wildlife Found: Tigers, Leopards, Bears
Coverage Area: 450 sq. km
Established: 1968 as a National Park and 1993 as a Tiger Reserve
Set among the Vindhya hills of Madhya Pradesh it contains a wide variety of habitats and a high density of game, including a large number of Tigers. This is also the White tiger country. These have been found in the old state of Rewa for Many years. Maharaja Martand Singh captured the last known in 1951. This white Tiger, Mohun is now stuffed and on display in the Palace of Maharaja of Rewa. Prior to becoming a National Park, the forests around Bandavgarh had long been maintained as a Shikargah, or game preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa. The Maharaja and his guests carried out hunting - otherwise the wildlife was well protected. It was considered a good omen for Maharaja of Rewa to shoot 109 tigers. His Highness Maharaja Venkat Raman Singh shot 111 Tigers by 1914.
There are 32 hills in this part of the park, which has a large natural fort at its center. The fort's cliffs are 2625 feet (800 meters) high, 1000 feet (300 meters) above the surrounding countryside. Bandavgarh has been a center of human activity and settlement for over 2000 years, and there are references to it in the ancient books, the Narad-Panch Ratra and the Shiva Purana. Legend has it that Lord Rama, hero of the Hindu epic, the Ramayana, stopped at Bandavgarh on his way back to his homeland after defeating the demon King Ravana of Lanka. Two monkey architects, who had engineered a bridge between the isle of Lanka and the mainland, are said to have built Bandavgarh's Fort. Later Rama handed it over to his brother Lakshmana who became known as Bandavdhish "The Lord of the Fort". Lakshmana is the particular God of the fort and is regularly worshipped in a temple there.
Climate The temperature rages from a maximum of 42°C in May ad June to around 4°C in winter. Casual summer clothing of natural colours is best from March to May. From November to February carry warm clothing for chilly mornings and misty evening.
Flora Initially just 105.40-sq-kms in area, Bandhavgarh with 25 resident tigers, was noted for its high-density tiger population. Today, it has been extended to an area of 437-sq-kms. About half the Bandhavgarh park is covered with fine trees of Sal, while mixed forests are found in the higher reaches of the hills. Stretches of bamboo and grasslands extend to the north. The main wildlife viewing is still done in the core of the park with its 32 picturesque, wooded hills.
Fauna Chinkara, can be sighted on the grassland areas of the park. The main prey animal, however for the Tiger and the park’s rarely sighted Leopard. Also to be seen are Nilgai, Chausingha and sounders of Wild Boar, as well as the occasional Jackal or Fox. Muntjac and sambhar prefer denser vegetation. There are two types of monkeys common in the park – the rhesus macaque and the black faced lagur. Jungle cats, hyenas, ratels, porcupines and a variety of other mammals can be spotted too. Bandhavgarh attracts many migratory birds in the winter months, including the birds of prey like the steppe eagles and a variety of wildfowl. Attracted by floweing and fruiting trees, some very attractive and less common birds can be seen – like the blue bearded bee eater, white bellied drongo, Tickell’s blue flycatcher, white browed fantail, minivets, white Malabar Hornbills and wood shrikets.
Travel Tips Visitors are advised to reach the gate half an hour in advance to complete the formalities for entry into the park.
Best Time to Visit The visiting season of Bandhavgarh national park starts from November to June, as the park remains closed during the monsoon months from July to October.
