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.

PRIME SITES - 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.

PRIME SITES - RANTHAMBHOR NATIONAL PARK

The 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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